Characteristics of a good bank

1. Outperformers build resilience

Success comes from a position of strength. High performers

take a comprehensive approach to risk mitigation to protect
the business and boost returns. They are proactive about
tightening prudential credit risk management and continually
assess assets to reduce risk and bolster capital strength.

Outstanding banks know how to harness the power of

technology and data innovation to make better decisions about
risk – or partner with those that do. And they are constantly on
alert to new risks, particularly those that may damage their
reputation.

2. Outperformers control cost

The best banks have highly efficient processes. As most are

large with sizable networks, this kind of efficiency can only
result from an organizational mindset that empowers individual
employees to make the right decisions without explicit
guidance from management. In short, the entire organization
must come together.
Outperformers typically have a mindset of continuous
improvement, constantly assessing their cost base. They also
display an agility that enables them to quickly respond to shifts
in the market.

3. Outperformers are customer-centric

Many outperforming banks identify a clear customer segment

and plan their entire strategy around understanding and
meeting the needs of these target customers. Virtually every
significant decision is geared to this goal – from developing and
marketing products, allocating investments in capital and
ensuring that all management behavior is driven by a focus on
the customer.
Outperformers focus on developing high-quality, hyper-relevant services and experiences for

target customers, rather than pushing products through traditional sales and markets.

4. A Bank that Doesn't Hide the Truth in the Fine Print

From monthly service fees to ATM fees, there is likely a long list
of known (or hidden) fees that are tacked on to your bank
statements each month. A few dollars here and there may not
seem like much, but in the course of a month it can add up! For
That's not taking into account the other fees your bank may be
tacking on.
And let's not forget the "teaser" rates out there. The ones that
look too good to be true... because they are. Banks will often
throw out amazing rates or offers with the hope of getting you
in the door, only to show you the truth a few months later. Do
you really want to bank with an institution like that?

Bank where "free" means "free" and teaser rates aren't a tactic

to get new customers. At SSB Bank, for example, we waive ATM
fees at out-of-network ATM's worldwide, with no maximum
number of transactions over the course of a month. There are
no hidden fees for our Everyday Free Checking Account... it's
just free. Oh, and no teaser rates here... it's not our style.

5. A Bank that Listens and Supports You

Quality customer service isn't a lot to ask for from your financial
institution. When you have a question or an issue, you don't
want to have to jump through hoops to get an answer. If your
financial institution is less than responsive, doesn't find
solutions that work for you, or provides you cookie-cutter
support, you should be receiving more.

You should feel like your needs are a priority when you contact
your bank. At SSB Bank, when you call our "Customer Service"
line, it takes you straight to a member of our front-line staff
who will walk you through your issue and help to find a
resolution as soon as possible. What is better than that?
6. A Bank that Provides You Competitive Rates

One of the best reasons to have your money at a financial

institution is the benefit of earning interest on your funds while
you save them for retirement, a future project, or even an
emergency. The benefit? It doesn't take any work on your part
other than the original deposit and any additional deposits
you'd like to make. The interest does all of the work after that! 

There are tons of offers and competitive rates out there. Do

your research! Don't believe that the rates your bank is offering
are the best out there until you've seen the proof.  

7. A Bank that Offers Unique Services and Products

With all of the new bells and whistles available in the banking
world, there is no reason your bank shouldn't have them to
offer to you. From mobile and online banking to competitive
and unique banking products, you should have options that suit
your needs as they evolve. 

One thing to do is to look at all of your banking needs and

determine what institutions can support them. If you are
someone who doesn't like to go to a physical branch, you
should be banking where the online and mobile services are
available and dependable. If you are a customer who does a lot
of deposits after hours or on the weekends, you should ensure
that the bank you use has ATMs available in convenient
locations or on-site hours that fit your schedule. These are just
a few examples to consider (or reconsider) if your bank offers
less than suitable products and services.

At Banks, they offer a variety of personal and business

products and services to allow us the ability to support anyone
that walks through the door. Check out some of
our business and consumer products and see what they 're
talking about!

8. A Bank that Can Support All Your Needs

No one wants to have a handful of banks dealing with all of

their different needs: one bank for mortgages, one bank for
day-to-day banking, one bank for your investments. If you are
shopping around for other institutions to hold your funds for
various projects and goals, you should consider
finding one that meets most (or all) of your needs.

Over time you banking needs may change and you want a bank
that can support those changes and your new ventures. Down
the road you may need a credit card, a loan or even another
savings account. You want to trust that your bank can offer you
products and services that will support it all. A great bank will
want to be comprehensive.

At Bank, they don't like to have to say we can't do something

for you.
Over time, we have done our best to add products and services
that can meet a variety of needs and make us the only
necessary choice for our customers. From our banking products
to our lending products, we believe we have it all.