Banking and confidence are two words that can seem mutually exclusive in the present economic climate. Trusting that a bank actually has your best interests at heart requires a hefty stretch of imagination.
Here's a bank that wants to try: Huntington National Bank. Founded 144 years ago, this Midwest regional holding bank seems to be staking its future upon rebuilding confidence between bank and consumer. The pretext -- provide exceptional customer service, creative twists on conventional services, and the educational tools and resources customers need to make sound financial decisions.
Great idea, but will it work? With 11,000 colleagues in 6 states, 600 branches and 1300 ATMs, Huntington Bank currently serves 1.3 million customers, 130,000 small businesses, and 22,000 corporations. Winning three Greenwich Excellence Awards (2010) for customer satisfaction and online services, and an A rating from Phoenix Hecht (2010) for overall effectiveness, is encouraging. But to get a feel for whether the numbers and awards are worthy indicators of the bank's sincerity or whether or not their accounts are a good fit, it helps to browse their website (www.huntington.com).
Huntington Bank's Online Presence
Well-designed and easy to navigate, Huntington National Bank's website gives the impression that the bank is receptive to the customer's changing needs and circumstances, and reiterates that the consumer is capable of making wise, informed choices.
Banking advice, resources, and online tools for subjects like "College Planning" and "Retirement Planning" are easy to navigate with a few clicks on the homepage. Other calculators are also offered for running numbers on questions like, "Should I lease or purchase a car?". Customers can research bank account offerings, fees and open accounts online.
The new patent-pending, innovative 24-Hour Grace account feature from Huntington National Bank allows the customer one business day to reconcile an overdraft without penalty. Huntington offers the the ability to download Rapport, online fraud and identity theft software, free of charge. These extra services can go a long way in retaining clients in an era where truly customer focused efforts by banks seem rare.
Huntington National Bank's respect for the customer's ability to manage financial affairs should serve them well. Hopefully other banks will take note and follow suit.