Boost client trust with financial services reputation management

In today’s financial world, trust is everything. 

For mortgage lenders and credit unions, having a good reputation isn’t just a “nice to have.” The truth is, it’s impossible to find success without it. To protect your brand and grow its impact, you must understand how to manage your online reputation. Properly applying best practices for financial services reputation management is crucial to staying relevant and competitive. 

Mortgage lenders require more than just paperwork from their clients—they need trust. To facilitate a smooth loan process, clients must feel confident sharing sensitive information like their bank account information and providing accurate and timely feedback throughout the loan process. Similarly, credit unions rely on their members’ trust to manage their money effectively and deliver services they could otherwise receive at a bank. 

Building trust is at the heart of reputation management. 

That’s why we wrote a guide detailing 11 core strategies mortgage lenders and credit unions can use to master their digital reputation. In this blog, we will briefly share some of those strategies. But first, here is a quick overview of why this topic is one you should care about as a financial service provider. 

The shift in consumer trust

People no longer rely solely on advertisements, personal recommendations, and mail correspondence. Now, they turn to online reviews and information before choosing a financial institution. Recent research from Birdeye found that 74% of consumers read reviews before deciding on a service provider. This same research found that consumers read approximately 4.9 reviews (5.1 for women, 4.6 for men) before visiting a service provider.

This means your online presence can greatly influence potential clients. If you aren’t well-represented with reviews that help potential clients understand the specific value that your business provides, they are far more likely to choose a competitor. 

How reputation impacts your client acquisition

Building a strong online reputation takes effort, but there are tangible benefits. Positive reviews and a solid digital presence will sway potential clients considering their options. 

For example, a local credit union might want to attract a certain number of new members. How would they achieve this? It is exceptionally difficult if they don’t have a strong reputation. 

To succeed, the credit union must engage with its community and share stories from happy members. They must also encourage those members to post reviews, refer their friends and family, and generally demonstrate that the business is worthy of trust. 

A mortgage lender might face a similar challenge. Getting a mortgage can be very daunting for first-time home buyers. A lot of work goes into every step, from approval to closing, which means trust is paramount. 

If your potential clients trust that you won’t waste their time and will communicate with them in a helpful, clear, and timely manner, it is only natural that you will earn more business. 

Challenges in managing reputation

Handling your reputation online can be tricky. 

False information can spread quickly, inconsistent business listings can confuse people, and negative reviews can turn potential clients away. Plus, there are many platforms that you need to monitor, like social media, review sites, and search engines, which can make the task of managing your reputation overwhelming. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way. 

With the right AI-driven tools, you can automate tedious work and gain the power of an in-house data science team dedicated to your reputation, all without hiring more staff. 

Thankfully, some key strategies can help regardless of your tools and technologies. 

Practical strategies for reputation management

To manage and improve your institution’s reputation, consider using the following strategies:

Keep business listings accurate

Ensure your institution’s name, address, and phone number are the same across all online platforms. Inconsistent information can lead to lost trust and lower rankings in local searches.

Regularly check core sites like Google, Apple, Bing, and other social media platforms to ensure everything is up to date. If you’re tired of doing this manually and spending hours sorting through reviews, different websites, and social media mentions, consider Birdeye Listings AI. This AI listing solution allows you to automate the tedious work of maintaining your listing accuracy across the internet. 

Engage with online reviews

Reviews offer valuable feedback. Responding to both good and bad reviews shows that you care about your clients’ opinions. Thanking customers for positive reviews strengthens relationships while addressing negative ones shows you’re committed to fixing problems. 

Sometimes, you may have questions about which reviews are most important to respond to or be unsure exactly what to say. Birdeye Reviews AI can help by providing you with automated insights into which actions will have the highest impact on your business. 

Use social media wisely

Social media isn’t just for advertising. It is also a way to connect and build relationships with your clients. Share content that matters to them, like financial tips, community events, or stories highlighting what your institution stands for. 

Genuine interactions can build a sense of community and make your brand more trustworthy. If you’re ever unsure of what to write about, what content to promote, or the best times to post, check out Birdeye Social AI, an out-of-the-box-ready solution that can help you be more productive on social media in minutes. 

Gather client feedback with surveys

Sometimes, your biggest reputation risks can go unnoticed, so it’s important to ask for feedback proactively. Surveys serve this role as a direct way to hear from your clients. Ask for their thoughts on your services and processes to find out what you’re doing well and where you can improve. This could be a quick survey after a transaction or a more detailed questionnaire sent out annually. 

Credit unions and mortgage lenders can benefit from understanding their clients’ thoughts. Managing surveys at scale can be a challenge, even for experienced teams. If you need to scale your surveys and ensure they actually reach your clients, Birdeye Surveys AI may be able to help. 

Prioritize compliance and security

Data security is critical, especially in the financial services industry, where regulations abound. Following regulations isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about earning your clients’ trust. 

Whether your clients trust you with their daily banking needs or their largest-ever purchase, a data breach can shatter your reputation in an instant. Be open about how you protect their information and make sure you’re up to date with the latest financial rules. This transparency can set you apart from competitors, even without making significant process changes. 

The benefits of technology in reputation management

Technology makes managing your reputation easier. There are tools that automate review requests, bring all your communications into one place, and provide real-time data on how you’re doing. These tools can help you respond faster and make better decisions about your reputation strategy. 

Especially with the advent of generative AI and AI models trained specifically for the financial services industry, the choice is whether to use the right tool or fall behind your competition. 

Birdeye helps financial services providers master reputation management

With so many choices available to potential clients, your reputation can be the deciding factor in your business’s success or failure. Actively managing reputation isn’t just about avoiding negative perceptions. It’s also about building a story that connects with clients and reflects what your institution is all about. Birdeye can help you tell that story and build your reputation. 

Birdeye is an AI company with solutions for review management, social media, chatbots, insights, and any other capability financial services businesses need to master their reputation.

Financial services reputation management is an ongoing journey. To learn eleven essential strategies for enhancing your institution’s reputation, check out our comprehensive ebook: Eleven Essential Reputation Management Strategies for Mortgage Lenders and Credit Unions. Inside, you’ll find keen insights designed to give mortgage lenders and credit unions the strategies they need to boost their reputation to the next level.

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