Example SWOT Analysis for a Small Bank
In this article you will find a comprehensive set of ideas for making a SWOT analysis for a smaller bank. Please note that there are also two more banking SWOT examples on this website, available at:
In addition, you should note that this banking SWOT analysis was generated using the free 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 below.
Download your free SWOT analysis Excel template here… free-SWOT-maker-Excel-template
Example SWOT Analysis for a Smaller Bank
Quick Introduction: Assumptions and Logic Behind the Banking SWOT
Smaller financial institutions often face challenges in terms of their perception of financial security and lack of reach and global coverage. Larger financial institutions are much stronger brands, more sophisticated marketing analysis and tools, lots of locations, and are perceived well internationally.
Small banks need to focus on geographic areas, niche target markets, exceptional customer service, and even innovative product design.
With this information in mind, here is possible ideas for a Small Bank to feed into a SWOT analysis…
SWOT Strengths for a Small Bank
- Great customer experience delivered
- Good understanding of the customer journey
- Good fit to customer’s needs
- Effective niche marketer
- Effective sales and service culture
- Valuable customer database information
- IT/software expertise
- Highly agile
- High service levels
- Good understanding of the market
- Effective online channels
- Successful online sales channel
- Success with online comparison websites
- Strong social media engagement
- Digital marketing expertise
- Positive attitudes to the brand
- Good local market knowledge
- Customer-centric strategy
- Easy-to-use products
- High level of customer loyalty
SWOT Weaknesses for a Small Bank
- Many product gaps
- Limited product range
- No structured CRM program
- Limited number of new customers
- Limited market share
- No real economies of scale
- Unable to truly understand where the market is heading
- No use of marketing-mix models
- Limited ability to keep up with technology
- A market follower
- Strong existing competitors
- Many emerging new entrants
- Cost disadvantage
- Broad competitive set
- Weak bargaining power with suppliers
- No expertise in creating engaging online content
- Limited online advertising experience
- Limited sales area coverage
- Limited access to key locations
- Seen as a product follower
SWOT Opportunities for a Small Bank
- Broaden our geographic reach
- Expand our product mix
- Broaden our product range to target new segments
- Map out and target the steps in the customer journey
- Develop and implement a CRM program
- Pursue greater economies of scale
- Use cross-functional teams to streamline processes
- Develop a customer relationship culture
- Data mining of our customer database
- Build our IT/software expertise
- Low inflation outlook
- Introduce new, modern technology and/or systems
- Become a disruptive innovator
- Expand our use of social media platforms
- Build/acquire digital marketing expertise
- Advertise on online comparison websites
- Utilize key sponsorships to broaden our brand
- Create/build “consumer love” for our brand
- Build online engagement with our brand
- Redesign our key stores/outlets
- Close branches (to cut costs)
SWOT Threats for a Small Bank
- Ongoing weak social media engagement
- Increased media fragmentation
- Excessive cost of big data
- Too slow in the development of new products
- Becoming a me-too player, due to product mix
- Weakening customer relationships
- Declining share-of-customer
- Slower growth due to the inability to raise funds
- Inflexible internal processes
- Being leap-frogged by competitor’s technology
- Disruptive technology
- Breach of data/privacy issues
- Many emerging new entrants
- Disruptive new competitors
- Competitors targeting our product gaps
- Competitors more able to diversify income streams
- Competitors introducing better/improved products
- Being outperformed by data-driven competitors
- Being perceived as slow and outdated
- Poor marketing ROI
Video on How to Use the Free SWOT Analysis Excel Template – So You Can Design Your Own Banking SWOT
Visual SWOT Analysis for a Small Bank
Note: This output was produced by the free SWOT Excel template – available for immediate download at the top of this page.
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.
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.
Helpful Resources for preparing Bank SWOT Analysis
Want More SWOTs?
- Example SWOT for Apple
- SWOT Analysis Ideas for Kellogg’s Cereals
- A SWOT Analysis for Coca-Cola
- Some SWOT Analysis Ideas for a Cruise Line
- Sample SWOT for an Airline
- Sample SWOT for a Hotel Chain
- SWOT Analysis for McDonald’s
- SWOT Analysis Example for Starbucks
- SWOT Analysis for Walmart
- Free SWOT Maker (Using Excel)
