Your Competition Is Winning—and You Might Not Even Know You're in the Game

I recently wrote an article for The Financial Brand that tackles something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately: how many community banks and credit unions are losing to competitors—not because they’re not capable, but because they’ve become nearly invisible to their customers.

Here’s the truth: your biggest competition might not be the megabank across town or the shiny new fintech app. It could be your own silence.

Here’s the big idea

In the piece, I break down how inconsistent messaging, fragmented outreach, and a fear of “over-marketing” have led many community institutions to unintentionally disappear from the customer’s radar. Meanwhile, big players show up with polished campaigns, helpful content, and always-on engagement strategies. Who do you think your customers remember when it’s time to open a new account or ask for a loan?

What can you do about it?

I share some actionable strategies in the article, including:

• How to build a consistent, multi-channel engagement plan
• Why customer education should be a cornerstone of your outreach
• The advantage community banks have—and how to actually use it

If you’ve ever wondered why your loyal members suddenly go elsewhere or why it feels harder to stay top of mind, this article might be the wake-up call you need.

Read the full piece here: Your Silent Competition Is Winning—Are You Even in the Game?