The ten best bank adverts of all time

What have we learned from modern marketing campaigns? Do not anger fashion lovers, do create a brand identity, do not be sexist, and do embrace mobile – Facebook says so.

And how about attitudes towards banking and payments? Well, a decline in lending from the institutions resulted in the arrival of fintech startups and alternative finance providers.

With technologies such as contactless commonplace, it’s clear that banks and retailers must be sure to support them.

“Contactless has moved from novelty to normal in little more than four years – retailers still on the side-lines without a strategy to accommodate this technology could be left in the dust and risk of driving loyal customers away,” said Dave Hobday, UK MD of Worldpay.

But looking back to the past – and present – we’ve reviewed the ten best bank adverts of all time to see what has been done to captivate viewers.

(1) NatWest – Cash machine

While cash is rapidly becoming a thing of the past in today’s world, it was a different story back in 1991. NatWest’s ad boasted just how accessible customers’ money was at the time with cash machines dotted across the country. Take a look and remember how ill-fitting clothes were back then.

(2) Halifax – Extra extra

Remember Howard Brown? How about interest? In 2000, Halifax had one of its customer service reps become the face of the brand. Who can forget the Extra extra song he performed to the tune of Tom Jones’ Sex Bomb? That’s right, it’s all coming back to you now. Sorry.

(3) Barclays – Barclaycard waterslide

Barclays captured imaginations with its Barclaycard waterslide in 2008, with viewers worldwide imaging the glory of commuting via waterslide. Despite running eight years ago, the bank was ahead of its time and used the promo as a means of promoting convenience with contactless payments.

How to promote a product in a saturated and traditionally unsexy industry

(4) Lloyds – 250th anniversary

Marking its 250th year of operation last year, Lloyds embraced the iconic black horse from its logo and captured a series of scenarios featuring the gallant animals. With Birdy performing Wings as the backing track, the promo was named the most Shazammed advert.

(5) HSBC – It’s never just business

Many a Hollywood film or TV show will leave you believing that personal attacks in the corporate world is “just business”. HSBC has a different philosophy, as demonstrated in this through-the-ages ad released in 2015.

Continue reading on the next page to find out what Lloyds did for 2016 and memorable marketing campaigns from US banks.

By Zen Terrelonge

Image: Shutterstock

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