“Moving Beyond Perks: Industry Leaders Emphasize Experience-Centric Approach”
In the contemporary landscape of customer loyalty, there’s a significant paradigm shift underway. Customers no longer view loyalty rewards as mere transactional benefits like cashbacks or coupons; they crave something deeper—an emotional connection.
James Ellis, Vice President of Business Development, Asia Pacific at Collinson, highlighted this evolving trend at the Asian Banking & Finance Manila Forum hosted at Shangri-La The Fort. He emphasized that younger generations, in particular, are seeking more than tangible rewards like points or cashback. Instead, they desire experiential benefits, such as immersive travel experiences, that resonate on an emotional level.
“This shift aligns with their social media behavior, where they eagerly share life moments and experiences on platforms like TikTok and Instagram,” Ellis explained.
Ellis participated in a panel discussion alongside industry analysts and Philippine bankers to explore how financial institutions can excel in delivering exceptional customer experiences. The consensus among the panelists was clear: institutions must prioritize swift and measurable engagement across all their services.
Today’s customers expect seamless interactions and personalized experiences from financial institutions. They no longer distinguish between physical and digital channels; instead, they demand a cohesive and integrated omnichannel experience. This necessitates the adoption of advanced technology and data analytics to understand customer preferences and deliver tailored solutions effectively.
Beyond transactional benefits, financial institutions must focus on building meaningful connections with their customers. This involves creating memorable moments and experiences that leave a lasting impression. By leveraging innovative strategies such as gamification, personalized recommendations, and exclusive events, institutions can foster deeper emotional connections with their customers.
Moreover, fostering trust and transparency is paramount in cultivating customer loyalty. Institutions must demonstrate integrity, reliability, and accountability in all their interactions, thereby instilling confidence and loyalty among their customer base.
In essence, the modern era demands a customer-centric approach from financial institutions—one that prioritizes emotional engagement, seamless experiences, and trust-building initiatives. By embracing these principles and leveraging technology to their advantage, institutions can position themselves as trusted partners in their customers’ financial journey, driving long-term loyalty and growth.
“An intriguing trend we’ve observed, especially within the financial services sector as we collaborate on customer engagement strategies, is the growing emphasis on measurable engagement,” Ellis highlighted.
Of all customer engagement avenues, travel stands out as a powerful driver of loyalty. According to a survey conducted by Collinson among 4,750 consumers in the Asia Pacific region, individuals who embark on 10 or more trips annually are members of twice as many loyalty programs compared to those who travel less frequently.
“Among the respondents who travel extensively, constituting 60% of our surveyed population, a significant portion acknowledged that their spending habits are influenced by the loyalty programs they participate in,” Ellis elaborated.
This correlation underscores the profound impact that travel-related incentives wield over consumer behavior and brand loyalty within the financial services industry. It highlights the potential for loyalty programs to not only enhance customer engagement but also drive tangible business outcomes by influencing purchasing decisions.
“Navigating Challenges in Customer Loyalty”
Anurag Mishra, Partner in Financial Services Technology Consulting at EY, emphasized that customers now anticipate access to loyalty programs and associated perks across all service offerings, extending beyond travel incentives.
However, Mishra also acknowledged the complexities inherent in fostering loyalty in the digital age. Financial institutions (FIs) must strike a delicate balance between upholding their standards and meeting customers’ expectations for swift service delivery.
He highlighted the challenge of real-time credit scoring, which is vital for many FIs’ operations. “Financial institutions typically rely on credit scoring methods, requiring them to evaluate customers’ creditworthiness in real-time, often within a minute. This poses a significant challenge and necessitates a transformation journey for many incumbent institutions,” Mishra explained.
Moreover, Mishra emphasized the importance of delivering a cohesive and seamless customer experience across various products and services. “It’s crucial for financial institutions to comprehend the different engagements customers have across products and unify them into a cohesive experience,” he stated. Mishra also pointed out the inherent risks involved in the screening and selection process for potential customers accessing FI services.
In essence, Mishra underscored the multifaceted challenges that FIs face in meeting evolving customer expectations and maintaining their competitive edge in an increasingly digital and customer-centric landscape.
“Embracing Digital Transformation”
Aloiysus C. Alday Jr., Executive Vice President and Head of Consumer Banking Segment at China Banking Corporation, underscored the escalating costs associated with cultivating customer loyalty.
“While it’s advantageous to have improved communication channels, the downside is the challenge of standing out amidst the proliferation of marketing messages. The landscape is cluttered, and what used to be a more cost-effective endeavor has become increasingly expensive,” Alday explained.
However, Alday noted that digitization has facilitated deeper relationships with existing customers and streamlined the process of acquiring new clients. He highlighted the role of social media and online selling platforms in integrating FI services within digital ecosystems.
“We leverage digital platforms for active usage campaigns, particularly for our credit cards. These initiatives demonstrate the tangible benefits of digitization,” Alday elaborated.
Rahul Rasal, Head of Retail Banking Segment at Security Bank, emphasized the importance of providing meaningful experiences to drive customer loyalty, cautioning against the use of technology as a mere gimmick.
“Technology must address genuine customer pain points to be effective. It should offer practical solutions rather than serving as a superficial add-on,” Rasal emphasized.
Moreover, Rasal highlighted the challenges of promoting financial inclusion and the need for banks to address a myriad of questions to retain the attention of previously unbanked individuals and sustain their banking journey.
“After onboarding customers, it’s essential to ensure that our card features and value proposition align with their lifestyle. For instance, our cashback card offers benefits tailored to everyday expenses like groceries or gas. By addressing engagement issues through solutions like chatbots, we prioritize a seamless and pain-free customer experience,” Rasal concluded.
“Enhancing Customer Experiences through Personalization”
In addition to streamlining marketing efforts, digitalization has significantly contributed to fostering customer loyalty by enabling the provision of remote advisory services.
Arniel Ong, President of RCBC Credit Cards, emphasized the pivotal role of digital channels in delivering enhanced customer experiences. “We recognize that many customers prefer digital interactions. Through initiatives such as our mobile app and credit card services, we’ve observed a tangible shift towards digital adoption, particularly for critical use cases,” Ong explained.
He highlighted the importance of leveraging digital platforms not merely as tools but as means to guide and support customers effectively. “It’s not just about having an app; it’s about empowering and assisting customers digitally, showcasing the value we can offer through these channels,” Ong elaborated.
Ong shared RCBC Credit Cards’ journey towards digitalization, emphasizing its transformative impact on customer service. “We prioritize meeting customers where they are most comfortable. By embracing digital channels, we’ve experienced significant growth in transaction volumes,” Ong concluded, underscoring the pivotal role of digitalization in driving customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Nice. Thank