Superior customer experience isn’t always about exceeding customer expectations.

Sometimes the most memorable experiences come from delivering on promises and demonstrating genuine concern for client needs.

Today, consumers expect to come away from every engagement with a positive brand image, one they want to share with their peers, colleagues and family.

Here are five examples from the financial service industry of customer service leaders that understand the importance of amplifying brand performance.

Build Long-Term Relationships Through Shared Values & Special Needs

People look for brands that share common core values and principles. Those values and principles often come with special needs.

The Voya Care program connects clients with specially trained advisors who understand the physical, emotional – and, yes financial – needs that come with caring for a family member with special needs.

Voya advisor Joan Tucker-White, who has a son with Asperger’s Syndrome, walks clients through the journey of finding community resources, support groups, available benefits to help overcome the overwhelming obstacles in a holistic manner.

Prepare the Future Generation for Financial Success

Michelle Borré, Portfolio Manager, Oppenheimer Fundamental Alternatives Fund and Oppenheimer Capital Income Fund, assembles care packages at the firm’s Distribution Symposium in Chicago. (PRNewsfoto/OppenheimerFunds)

When OppenheimerFunds launched their 10,000 Kids by 2020 initiative, their goal was to “make a difference in students’ lives and help get them excited about math.”

OppenheimerFunds CEO and chairman, Art Steinmetz envisioned a program that would empower younger children with skills and knowledge necessary for the next generation of entrepreneurs, investors and educators.

Investing in the future is critical for brand success. Community-centric business leaders who support innovative these partnerships create positive brand awareness and future growth opportunities.

Financial services leaders like Oppenheimer demonstrate their commitment to future generations through continued outreach and empowerment programs on an ongoing basis. Engaging with clients from the customer call center and the front lines.

Bridge the Digital Divide

Banking and wealth management strategies continuously evolve to meet the growing demand for instant gratification.

In a world where consumers measure response times in seconds, not minutes or hours, providing self-guided service and on-demand products is no longer an option, it is an essential part of building a loyal client base.

Responding to this ever increasing “culture of immediacy” demands mobile solutions enabling clients 24/7 access to accounts.

Jamie Morawiec, Associate Partner at CACI expects half of all banking transactions to be digital by 2022, meaning banking and FI organizations should focus on robust digital transformation now.

Intuitive website and platform designs deliver a multi-channel consumer experience that supports both internal customer service professionals and clientele.

Think, apps that allow investors to monitor accounts, buy and sell assets online and connect with an advisor quickly when an issue comes up that demands personal interactions.

Self-guided options create opportunities for deeper relationships as digital consumer activity data provide valuable user insights for tailoring future offerings.

Fidelity has also done a good job of providing a balanced customer-direct and on demand technology-based service delivery system, including an app for mobile check deposits.

Simply Customer Service Goals

Donna Peeples. chief customer officer at Pypestream, reminds business leaders you don’t have to “delight” customers with every interaction.

Most customer engagement expectations are simple. Make it easy. Make it efficient. Provide a solution.

Thought leadership means providing customers with answers not excuses.

Whether simplification comes in the form of an instant access card from a new banking partner, a 24/7 call center line or chat bot solutions for buying insurance or trading stocks, user-friendly service options are imperative.

Brighthouse Financial offers self-directed learning tools, such as the FlexChoice Access Retirement Tool, which help them make better retirement planning decisions.

Take the CX in Another Direction

The primary goals are to save customers time, money and frustration. One example of simplifying customer experience comes from Metro Bank.

Metro Bank has totally redesigned their financial service delivery plan.

By opening a 24/7 walk-in branch where customers can come in when it is convenient for them, open an online account and walk away with an active debit card in a matter of minutes – no hassles, instant access to funds without waiting for a card to arrive in the mail.

Ever heard of using a #selfie 📱 to open a current account? Well you can with us! With just a few details, plus your best selfie, you can open a current account online in just 10 minutes. Learn more here ▶ https://t.co/q3Pndx7IMw #JoinTheRevolution pic.twitter.com/t7HDHqVuE8

— Metro Bank (@Metro_Bank) May 23, 2018

According to Paul Riseborough, commercial director of Metro Bank, the new business model is “a matter of fitting into the busy lives of our customers.” This new approach supported by digital technology allows bankers to develop targeted campaigns with a specific offer at the right time for every customer.

Customer experience doesn’t have to be complicated or sexy. The key is to focus on developing deeper relationships.

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