Banks must cater to increasingly demanding customers, says Hirst
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is well placed to meet the increasing demands of customers for flexibility, tailored products and the best products, according to the bank's chief executive, Mike Hirst.Hirst told shareholders at yesterday's Bendigo and Adelaide Bank annual general meeting that the majority of consumers have relationships with two or more banks as a way of comparing products and services. They are also turning increasingly to social media and comparison sites to research financial products.Hirst said: "They want products tailored to what they are trying to achieve in their financial life. There will be a greater need to deliver personalised products and services to a broad customer base."Bendigo and Adelaide Bank scores very well in customer satisfaction surveys. Hirst said the bank is building on this strength with a number of programs.The bank's IT investment includes an application called NoQ, an ordering service for smartphones.The bank is also beefing up its wealth management division.Hirst said the growth of the branch network has helped the bank grow ahead of system in home loans and deposits."Twelve years ago we had 90 branches. Today we have 550 - 300 of them community owned. Half our branches are less than six years old."The network is maturing and as it does so our market share is growing."