Bank Brand Reputation Matters

Business owners and executives participating in a recent Greenwich Market Pulse are bullish on expectations for hiring and CapEx spending.

Half of small businesses and two thirds of mid-sized companies expect to hire for new positions in the next six months. Nearly one third of the small businesses and 36% of the middle market companies expect to increase CapEx spending in the next year, with sizable shares of both groups also planning to make new purchases of IT and non-IT equipment.

“Along with the pent up demand for CapEx, hiring needs are beginning to emerge and some companies are planning to pull the trigger on other, expansion-related investments” says Greenwich Associates consultant Dana Schwaeber.

The Power of Bank Brands

Approximately two-thirds of the small businesses and mid-sized companies participating in the Greenwich Market Pulse say brand reputation is equal in importance to price when picking a bank.

For mid-sized companies, brand reputation includes a bank’s strong financial condition, exceptional customer service and commitment to the relationship. For small businesses, brand reputations rest on the same factors, as well as bank’s ability to make fast decisions without cumbersome bureaucracy.

“The country’s biggest banks have established themselves as the strongest brands among U.S. middle market companies, while, the list of strongest bank brands among U.S. small businesses includes a growing mix of both large national providers and regional banks able to differentiate themselves through outstanding service,” says Dana Schwaeber.

About Greenwich Best Brand Awards

Every year, Greenwich Associates draws on its extensive research among U.S. small businesses and middle market companies to determine the best banking brands.

In December 2015 Greenwich Associates announced the winners of its 2015 Best Brand Awards in U.S. Middle Market: Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Chase, PNC Bank, US Bank, and Wells Fargo and U.S. Small Business Banking: Bank of America Merrill Lynch, BB&T, Chase, Citibank, Fifth Third Bank, M&T Bank, PNC Bank, Regions Bank, SunTrust, TD Bank, US Bank, and Wells Fargo.