Twice in the past few weeks, I've written blog posts that had one or more criticisms about specific experiences with a bank's product. My complaints weren't Huff Post calls to arms or anything particularly serious, just small things that had gone wrong (previous posts here and here). And our blog, while well-read in the banking industry, is just a rounding error in terms of mainstream readership.  

But in both these examples, the bank reached out to me almost immediately, offering to help solve the problem. In one case, I received a phone call (several actually) from the bank's PR department and the other bank left a message on our home phone (note 1) from the "executive office." 

My take: I am shocked to have heard not once, but twice in the same month from mega-banks looking to solve small, albeit public, customer-service issues. In 15 years of covering the industry, including three with a public blog, I have never had a single "official" call from a bank about a problem I've written about (note 2).

Businesses have long debated how to handle negative conversations in social media (see note 3). Do you stay on the sidelines, anonymously participate in the conversation, or reach out with offers to help?

Clearly, offering to help is the way to go. However, you must choose your words carefully because everything you say can and will be used against you by a blogger bent on revenge or ridicule.

But I can tell you now from experience that it's powerful to be contacted by the business you've written about. My reaction goes something like this:

• "Uh oh, now I've offended a reader; I'd better think twice about posting negative comments again." At the very least, I'll certainly make sure my coverage is extremely balanced in the future. No potshots, that's for sure.
• "Wow, this bank really cares about its customers and reputation." That makes me feel much better about them.
• "Seriously, a big bank that calls its customers when it hears about a problem; impressive as hell!"

So going forward:

• I'm more likely to look for something good to say about the bank to make up for the negative item. 
• I may post an update to the original entry, or even an entire post like this, complimenting the bank on reaching out to resolve the problem.
• I'll probably tell my friends the story, either privately, or more publicly via Twitter, Facebook, etc.

These are pretty good results from a relatively low-cost phone call. Sure, my problems were fairly simple and easily resolved, and it may be harder to appease a blogger whose home was recently foreclosed. But why not try? As long as you stay calm and try to keep things constructive, there's very little downside and a lot of upside.

So congratulations Citibank and Capital One, your performance has been truly remarkable. (Are we good now?) 

Note:
1. The bank must have looked at our actual account info to get the home phone number.
2. I have received the occasional email from a subscriber, but no proactive effort to provide help.
3. For a wonderful overview of the ins and outs of responding to bloggers, read the two-part post (here and here) from Vancity's MVP and third-ranked innovator on the planet, William Azaroff. 

Recently, my college-aged son signed up for his first credit card. He chose Capital One not because of their long history as a card issuer or their flashy TV ads, or even their state-of-the-art website. No, he went with Cap One for the same reason as that of tens of millions before him: a simple, preapproved direct-mail offer at just the right time.

It's enlightening to see the process through the eyes of a credit newcomer. Even though he understands credit cards intellectually and has used debit/prepaid cards for years, a number of things were still less than obvious to him as he went about activating the card over the phone, using it for the first time, signing up for online banking, and paying his first monthly bill. For example:

• The initial card-activation process was a mystery to him. He did not expect to have to call the bank when the card arrived. And the conversation he had with the CSR was confusing. I heard only his side of the call, but evidently Capital One pitched both credit insurance and ID protection services. He successfully said no to ID protection, but to his surprise, the first bill had a 1% fee tacked on for credit insurance, which he absolutely does not want (it's only a $300 credit line).
• He's very concerned he'll miss the payment due date, which seems so far into the future, given the lag in posting, combined with the grace period. The payment on his first charge was more than six weeks later. To him, it almost seemed to too good to be true, and also made it harder to remember.
• He doesn't have experience writing checks nor does he even have stamps around the dorm room; so even the simple act of paying the bill each month is not as easy as it seems. I helped him set up his checking account for ACH payments (see #7 and #7a below), but I'm not sure that would have been obvious to him had I not been looking over his shoulder.
• I also helped him set up mobile and email alerts to remind him to pay, but again, without his father pitching in, I'm not sure he would have known to do that. He hasn't set up alerts on his checking account because he didn't know they existed.

My take: For the most part, things have gone smoothly, and Capital One has done a good job bringing him on board (see below). But it made a mistake with him, one that could ultimately cost the card issuer my son's long-term loyalty, the apparent "misunderstanding" about his agreeing to add credit insurance to the account. 

And it only netted the bank $0.93.

I was surprised how upset my son was at the credit insurance fee tacked onto his bill. Even though it was less than a buck, he was determined to reach someone at the bank right away to get it removed and stopped. He felt that the bank used his naivete against him. He felt betrayed and preyed upon. That's not a good way to start a relationship.

Capital One Online Banking/Card Sign-up Process
I took the opportunity to document Capital One's online banking sign-up process. It was clean and intuitive and took just a few minutes.

Step 1: Terms and conditions (13 Feb. 2010)
Note: The first page, shown below, was reached through a link in an onboarding email message encouraging signup for online banking.

Step 2: Authentication

Step #3: Select username and password
Note: Email address was prefilled from the info from original online app

Step #4: Choose security questions

Step #5: Encouragement to sign up for estatements
Note: Default set to Yes; also, there was no incentive to go paperless,
even $1 might have swayed him

Note: You must call customer service to switch from paperless to paper statement, again a disincentive to choosing paperless

#6 Confirmation (with a dash of humor)

#7 Set up payment account

#7a Confirmation

My son is almost half way through his second year of college, so we figured it was time he had a credit card. He's proved incredibly responsible with money, even avoiding dreaded debit card overdrafts so far. It's a good time for him to start building his credit history. And because he flies cross-country to school, I feel better knowing he has an emergency line of credit in his wallet.

Unfortunately, his student checking account provider, Chevy Chase Bank, hadn't offered him a preapproved MasterCard/Visa, so I've been watching his mail at home. It will come as no surprise that preapproved mailers to college underclassmen have been scarce. This summer he was courted by Discover Card and a higher-fee MasterCard (or Visa?).  But I was hoping for a preapproved fee-free MasterCard/Visa for maximum utility. 

This fall, Capital One (note 1) began to send my son MasterCard offers via snail mail. Right before Thanksgiving, the fourth or fifth piece in the series landed in our mailbox. He looked at it over the holidays and applied online for the card on Sunday. The fee-free card is no bargain for revolvers at 22.9%, but that's to be expected in this economic and regulatory environment.

The mailer offered the option of applying by telephone, mail or online. But the latter was clearly encouraged with a red badge, a 60-second response time, and a personalized URL with my son's name (e.g., John.Smith.getmycard.com).

Online application: The application process was a breeze. It was straightforward and fast and took less than five minutes, start to finish. The utilitarian online application design (screenshot 2) was easy to navigate and included ample embedded help, but no 800 number or online chat. The only unusual feature was the ability for users to select from about 16 different card designs. 

Because he was applying from a direct mail piece that included full Reg. Z disclosures, they were not repeated in the online app.

In total, it took about 4.5 minutes to complete the app process, and approval was granted in less than 10 seconds. My only complaint, a 22-digit offer and access code combination. Here's the exact timing:

• 30 seconds -- Type personalized URL and load website
• 30 seconds -- Type 16 digit reservation number and 6-digit access code
• 3 mins and 30 secs -- Complete application form
• 10 seconds -- Wait for credit decision

Onboarding: The initial onboarding process was almost nonexistent. Cap One didn't even send a congratulatory email on what is a major milestone of someone's banking life: their first credit card. All he received was the tiny "Congratulations! You're approved" screen at the end of the online approval process (see screenshot 3 below) along with instructions that his card would arrive in 7 to 10 business days. And there's no way to access the account until the card arrives.  

Grade: Capital One gets an A for account-acquisition marketing and online app mechanics, but earns a B- for first impression, and an incomplete for onboarding so far.

1. Capital One personalized application screen (29 Nov 2009, 8 PM Pacific)
Note: To begin the process, the applicant enters a 16-digit reservation number and 6-digit code found on the snail-mail piece.

2. Online application

3. Congratulations screen

Note:
1. I didn't realize until today that Chevy Chase is now owned by Capital One, which could be why my son has been receiving Capital One credit card offers. However, there has never been any mention of Chevy Chase or his checking account in the mailers. And one of the application questions was: "Do you have a checking account?"
2. For more info on how to create a winning online application, see our Online Banking Report: Online Account Opening published in June 2009.  

We just completed our latest Online Banking Report. It will be mailed to subscribers this week.
It's also available online here. There's no charge for current subscribers; others may access it immediately
for US$495.

---------------------------------------------------------

Improving Online Account Opening ROI
Ten strategies to increase online application conversion rates

102 pages (published 21 June 2009)

In this report (abstract PDF), we focus on ways to increase conversions and improve your results when opening financial accounts online or over a mobile phone.

The online application is the new branch new-accounts desk. And, just as you provide ongoing support, training and incentives to branch-based sales staff, you must continually fine-tune your online sales process.

In our experience, this is an area that needs attention at most financial institutions. Things have greatly improved during the 10+ years we've been tracking online applications. However, during the research for this report, we reached dead-ends at three of the 10 applications tested (note 1). That just can't happen.

The report outlines a 10-step approach to improving the process: 

• Direct users to the application
• Set expectations
• First things first
• Guide customers
• Bundle mobile access & alerts
• Upsell
• Fund
• Ask for referrals
• Stay in touch
• Humanize the process

We reviewed the online applications of the following companies:

• Bank of America
• BECU (powered by uMonitor)
• Capital One
• Chase Bank
• First Arkansas Bank & Trust (powered by FirstROI)
• Flagstar Bank (powered by uMonitor)
• HSBC Direct
• Huntington Direct (powered by CashEdge)
• M&I Bank
• National City
• Verity Credit Union (powered by Andera)
• Wells Fargo
• Zions Bank

Finally, a 10-year forecast for online account-opening volumes in the United States is presented.

M&I Bank has an attractive and informative application start page (9 June 2009)
Note: The online banking guarantee at the bottom is a good way to improve user trust.

Note:
1. Granted, user error was the problem in two of the three failed apps; however, we weren't purposely trying to make mistakes. The online application should have provided assistance in correcting them, rather than leaving us hanging.

Earlier this week, Visa launched its Facebook Business Network. While the first to use Facebook, several other major financial institutions have opened small biz networks on the Web in the past six months:

• Advanta's Ideablob launched last September at DEMOfall (previous post here). It's a unique website with monthly contests awarding $10,000 to the best idea, as voted on by users. It's an intriguing concept with decent traction, almost 30,000 unique visitors last month according to Compete (see chart below). (Full disclosure: I just realized I'm wearing an Ideablob t-shirt; schwag can still pay off!)
  
• American Express's OpenForum: As the name suggests, it's a business forum and resource directory, not unlike Bank of America's (see below). American Express has added posts from several prominent bloggers such as John Battelle's Searchblog and Anita Campbell's Small Biz Trends to keep the site fresh. The site has 5,400 members and monthly traffic of about 11,000 unique visitors, up threefold from a year ago.  
  
• Bank of America's Small Business Online Community, a general forum and resource directory, launched in October 2007 (see original post here). It's primarily a forum, with some additional articles on the side. Total membership is just under 15,000.
  
• Capital One's Slingshot, launched in February, is primarily a business directory. But it does aim for community involvement with user-submitted business reviews and comments on certain topics.
  
• HSBC's (UK) Business Network: Another forum-and-blog site similar to AmEx's OpenForum. So far it appears lightly used, with just six blog entries this year and 270 member profiles.
  
• Intuit's Quickbooks Group: Although not a financial institution, the Quickbooks site is a good example of an active community with more content, including ten blogs, and as much traffic as the others combined (not including BofA which is unknown) with nearly 90,000 unique visitors, almost double the number a year ago.
  

 Unique website visitors in May 2008 (source: Compete)

The current reader poll on American Banker's homepage (here) is seeking opinions on Capital One's new "decoupled" debit card. It's a new MasterCard debit card that can be attached to any checking account by processing transactions through the open ACH system. Cards can be used in PIN or signature mode. Capital One began issuing the new product to credit card customers in March and has signed a co-brand deal with an unknown grocery chain. 

Interestingly, of the 70% of respondents with an opinion (excluding the "too early to judge" category), more than half chose "Holds potential to disrupt status quo" (see chart above). The poll was first posted Friday morning (June 8) and runs for a week. Check here Friday for the final results. 

While it's certainly not a scientific sampling, and it's in the free zone so anyone can respond, the results tell me that the product has the attention of the banking community. Whether it catches on with consumers is another matter.  

For more information on Capital One's new product:

• Aite Group 13-page report
• Javelin's blog entries part 1, 2, and 3
• Colin Henderson's Bankwatch post
• American Banker's June 5 article 

Tired of competing with 1.9% dealer financing? Fight back with online car buying services. Many financial institutions, especially credit unions, have offered car-buying services online. With 67% of new car buyers researching online last year according to JD Powers, there's ample opportunity to get in front of car buyers BEFORE they arrive at the dealership. However, for the most part, major banks have stayed away from this area, in part so as not to annoy their dealer-financed customers.

That may change as one big player, Capital One, enters the business, albeit with fewer channel-conflict issues. The credit card giant is already a big player in online auto finance and generated 1.5 million auto loan applications across its 44 million customer base last year alone. It recently launched its new DriveOne <driveone.com> service in several markets (click on inset for closeup).

DriveOne is a slick car-quote service that rivals anything we've seen online. The design is state-of-the-art, easy to navigate, and, with no advertisements, it's much faster than others. The site, powered by Zag <zag.com>, features branded data from Kelly Blue Book <kbb.com>. Furthermore, it's closely tied to the lender, with a slide-bar payment calculator built in to the main user interface (see right-side of screenshot left).

DriveOne will connect buyers to dealers who must agree to sell vehicles at a fixed price no higher than Kelley New Car Blue Book Value. However, dealers are still free to negotiate add-ons, such as security systems or additional warranties. In addition to the fixed prices, buyers receive a $250 (new cars) or $400 (used car) rebate direct from DriveOne, no matter how they finance the purchase. Dealers indirectly fund this rebate with the fee paid to Zag whenever they sell a car through the program.

Powered by Zag
The DriveOne platform comes from Zag, a car-buying service launched early last year by Scott Painter, the founder of CarsDirect.com and BuildToOrder.com. The company used seed money from Elon Musk, founder of X.com/PayPal. One of Zag's investors is Capital One, which led the third round in Dec. 2005.

In Nov. 2005, the company acquired Autoland, the leading auto-buying service bureau for credit unions, with 300 clients serving a total of 8 million members, primarily on the West Coast. Total annual vehicle sales are more than $270 million. The company says it will have approximately 50 of the 300 credit unions using the DriveOne platform by year-end.

Last month, Zag acquired Automotive Invitational Services that serves 6 million members across a dozen AAA clubs. Zag says it will be offering DriveOne in seven states by the end of this month and will be working with 3,000 dealers by year-end.

--JB

Ten years after the first loan was originated online, there is still a surprising lack of effort at mining various lending niches. Mainstream categories, such as mortgages and credit cards, are rife with great marketing efforts. Home equity and car loans are also marketed effectively by a number of players.

But when it comes to smaller niche markets, such as small business or personal loans, the big players have for the most part stayed away.

One exception is Capital One, which recently added a new category to its main navigation bar, "Healthcare Finance (click on inset for closeup).

Healthcare Finance offers personal loans to consumers seeking to pay for the following categories:

• Dental
• Orthodontics
• Cosmetic
• Fertility
• Vision

The website features a 1.9% banner ad, but the fine print says that the rate will vary from 1.9 percent to 23.9 percent, quite a range. Loan sizes vary from $300 to $25,000.

Capital One is using Google Adwords to support its efforts. For example, searching for "loans for dental work" displays this ad (click on inset).

Action Item
Compared to other loan terms, the health care-related terms are relatively sparsely sponsored. You should consider adding these terms to your search-engine marketing plan. To make it pay off, you should build a landing page that speaks to the benefits of using your personal loan or line of credit for such expenditures.

More info: We'll take a closer look at Capital One's Healthcare Finance options in the next Online Banking Report to be published at the end of February (OBR 127).

--JB

David Spade's "no guy" has helped make Capital One's No Hassle credit card customer service parody one of the most-recognized consumer advertising campaigns of the year. According to the company, the commercials have helped lift the Capital One's name recognition to 98% (see note 1).

Along the same lines,
American Express is test marketing a no-fee automatic-rewards card called Clear. The card, which is available through its website (click on inset for closeup), features no fees (late, overlimit, annual) and an automatic rewards fulfillment, a $25 cash card every time you spend $2500 on the card. Cardmembers also receive a free credit report and credit score each year.

Finally, Citibank is about to jump on the back-to-basics movement with its no-late-fee Simplicity card expected to debut this week at an event in New York City (note 2). The card will come in three flavors: plain, cash-back, and rewards. The bank's website does not contain information on the card yet, but there is a separate customer service number listed that features a "press 0" option to be immediately connected to a live service rep.

Analysis
Although many consumers put up with penalty fees, there is always a point where they just won't take it anymore, especially if lower-cost options are readily available. That's why Blockbuster, faced with increasing competition from NetFlix, eBay, and WalMart, took a significant revenue hit when it eliminated late fees in its core movie rental business.

Citibank and the others are looking to win back consumers that have migrated to debit cards and/or credit unions to avoid penalty fees and interest charges. The cards also appeal to those with a strong aversion to fees either because they've had problems in the past or because they simply cannot stomach bank fees of any type.

--JB

Notes:
1. USA Today, 13 March 2005
2. Citi Simplicty was launched 14 October 2005
    - read the press release
    - see the website, www.citisimplicity.com

With the success of ING Direct and other direct banks, there has been a lot more attention given to selling savings accounts and certificates online.

One of the new players to watch is Capital One. They are beginning to apply their marketing skills, honed in the brutal credit card market, to deposit products.

Googling "online banking" today, we noticed Capital One in first position on the right-hand sponsored links area (see inset).

Clicking through you are delivered to a page that markets deposit products much more aggressively than most banks (see screenshot below). Capital One leads with a chart showing its rate compared to the national average (see inset above).   

The bank offers five different savings products on the main page, each with its own distinct Open Account button:

• 3.15% High Yield Savings Account (the lead product at the top)
• 4.03% No Regrets CDs (allows purchasers to bump-up their rate)
• 3.25% Money Market Accounts
• 4.50% Certificates of Deposit
• 4.29% IRA CDs

Analysis
The relatively high rates (APYs) are a big part of the appeal. But there is more to it than just price.

Capital One does a great job of laying out the options, including:

• product comparison chart
• detailed features and benefits at every step of the way
• animated demonstration of how easy it is to setup an account and move money back and forth from any checking account (at any financial institution)

Click on this thumbnail for a look at the main savings page at Capital One.

--JB

Capital One

www.capitalone.com

Along the same lines, but with a significant new account incentive, is Capital One’s (Falls Church, VA; 12 million cardholders) tie-in on Priceline.com. Bidders for airfare deals on Priceline can have their bid increased by $50 at no cost to them if they apply for a credit card. After receiving some 80,000 card applications through the program and paying nearly $4 million to Priceline, Capital One has opted out of the tie-in. But Priceline.com won’t be left at the altar, FirstUSA (Wilmington, DE; 25 million cardholders) is stepping in to take over the program. May the deepest pockets win!

We visited the largest search/portal sites at the end of September to see who was advertising what for users seeking information on business loans.* We were surprised to find the search term sparsely used by financial services companies. The only advertisers were The Lending Tree pitching its online loan auction service at Infoseek and Excite; Intuit promoting CashFinder.com and Quicken on Infoseek; Capital One hawking a 9.9% credit card on Yahoo, and ConsumerInfo.com with a small buy at Infoseek.

Source: Online Banking Report, 9/30/98 *Methodology: We searched on the term “business loan” (parenthesis included) at each of the sites from a Seattle Netcom POP. We hit reload 10 times to measure how often banners were presented. This is only an approximate measure of banner advertising. Time of day, geogrpahic location, and user profile could all impact which banners are presented.