SWOT Analysis Example for a Bank

Example SWOT Analysis for a Bank

Here you will find a detailed example of a SWOT analysis for a bank. Please note that there are also two more banking SWOT examples on this website, available at:

As a bonus, this example SWOT analysis was generated using the SWOT analysis Excel template (read more or review the video at the bottom of this page) that you can download for free on this website.

Download your free SWOT analysis Excel template here… free-SWOT-maker-Excel-template


SWOT Analysis Example for a Bank

Bank Strengths

  • High service levels
  • Highly automated systems
  • IT/software expertise
  • Easy access to capital and funding
  • Solid financial reserves
  • Effective sales and service culture
  • Focus on internal marketing
  • Team-based culture
  • Clear segments targeted effectively
  • Clear value proposition
  • Effective CRM program
  • Good understanding of the customer journey
  • Strong share-of-customer
  • Broad product range
  • Attractive store design/layout
  • Highly convenient locations
  • Clear positioning
  • Seen as having strong corporate social responsibility
  • Easy-to-use apps

Bank Weaknesses

  • Poor cost efficiencies
  • Mixed quality staff
  • Targeting price elastic markets
  • No distinct product features
  • Undifferentiated products
  • Limited engagement from marketing communications
  • Have to price under the market
  • No consumer connection to the brand
  • Limited online advertising experience
  • Limited social media success
  • No expertise in creating engaging online content
  • No real relationships with online “influencers”
  • Broad competitive set

Bank Opportunities

  • Leverage our big data
  • Develop a customer relationship culture
  • Attract new customers through special offers
  • Shift to a customer-centric marketing outlook
  • Target more price inelastic markets
  • Expand our product mix
  • More clearly differentiate our product offering
  • Broaden our geographic reach
  • Build relationships with influencers
  • Expand our number of stores/outlets
  • Strengthen/clarify our value proposition
  • Build online engagement with our brand
  • Advertise on online comparison websites
  • Build/acquire digital marketing expertise
  • Creating more engaging social media content
  • Become a disruptive innovator

Bank Threats

  • Becoming a market laggard or a me-too player
  • Declining unit margins
  • Rising fixed costs
  • Consumers becoming more price sensitive
  • Becoming a me-too player, due to product mix
  • Excessive cost of big data
  • Inability to grow the customer base long-term
  • Poor ratings on review websites
  • Being perceived as slow and outdated
  • Aggressive price cutting
  • Growing competitive set
  • Many emerging new entrants
  • Breach of data/privacy issues
  • Disruptive technology
  • High levels of inflation
  • Online fraud
  • Uncertain market conditions

Video on How to Use the Free SWOT Analysis Excel Template – So You Can Design Your Own Banking SWOT

And here is a visual output of the free Excel template for preparing any SWOT analysis quickly and easily for the above banking example bank.

SWOT Analysis for a bank 1


Quick Overview: What is SWOT Analysis? (A Marketing Perspective)

SWOT analysis is a tool designed to evaluates an organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in order to identify and construct a marketing strategy.

For marketers, usually the central elements of the SWOT is the intersection of STRENGTHS and OPPORTUNITIES . This is because, as marketers, we are seeking to leverage our competitive advantage/s into new areas of growth and opportunity.

Our strengths are the INTERNAL components of the organization that provide it with a competitive advantage in the marketplace. In terms of marketing, we are typically looking for strengths in the areas of:

  • Brand equity and loyalty
  • Customer loyalty and satisfaction
  • Product positioning
  • Product quality
  • Product range
  • Locations/channel advantages
  • Logistics
  • Cost structure (for pricing)
  • Service levels

And then we ideally want to MATCH some of these strengths to opportunities, especially in the areas of:

  • Emerging customer needs and trends
  • New consumer segments
  • Technology development (for new products)
  • New channels (and partners)
  • Marketing automation tools and AI
  • Enhanced customer experience needs
  • Market development and growth
  • Customer relationships and customer lifetime value

NOTE: Obviously, most businesses will also need to consider weaknesses and threats – but the above simplified description is an ideal starting point for marketing strategy development.


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