After two decades of partnering with financial institutions, from global investment banks to emerging fintechs, one truth stands out: the right communications partner can transform your market position. The wrong one can damage years of carefully built credibility.
You need more than traditional PR expertise. Whether launching a new investment product, navigating regulatory changes, or scaling a fintech solution, your agency needs to understand established financial systems and emerging technology.
Beyond Traditional PR Metrics
Most financial institutions select agencies based on outdated criteria. Media relationships and coverage metrics matter, but they’re just the beginning. The real value emerges in how your partner shapes market perception, influences stakeholder behavior, and drives business outcomes.
Your Essential Due Diligence Questions
Here are five questions that reveal whether an agency can genuinely advance your financial institution’s objectives:
- “Demonstrate your impact on business fundamentals.” Look beyond media mentions. Ask how their work influenced investor behavior, accelerated institutional sales cycles, or enhanced market positioning. For fintech clients, probe how they’ve supported fundraising or market expansion. A sophisticated agency should demonstrate clear attribution between communications programs and business metrics.
- “Detail your financial sector expertise.” Test their knowledge depth. How do they view the convergence of traditional finance and digital innovation? What’s their perspective on regulatory trends affecting banks and fintechs? Who on their team understands both capital markets and emerging technology? The sophistication of these discussions reveals true expertise.
- “What’s your crisis and issues framework?” Financial institutions face unique reputation risks. Your agency should outline specific protocols for handling market-moving events, regulatory challenges, and technical incidents. Request examples spanning traditional finance and fintech scenarios – from trading disruptions to data breaches.
- “How do you measure program effectiveness?” Standard PR metrics don’t capture value in financial communications. Press for details on how they track institutional investor sentiment, market perception shifts, and competitive positioning. Examine their methodology for linking communications activities to stakeholder behaviors.
- “How do you adapt to market evolution?” Financial services transform rapidly. Your agency should articulate how it helps clients navigate industry convergence, emerging technologies, and evolving stakeholder expectations. Look for evidence of strategic foresight, not just tactical execution.
Securing Strategic Value
At Fifth Avenue Brands, we’ve built our practice on delivering measurable impact for financial institutions navigating complex market dynamics. Our clients – from global banks to innovative fintechs – partner with us because we understand the intersection of finance, technology, and strategic communications.
The right communications partner strengthens your market position and accelerates business growth. The wrong one consumes resources while missing strategic opportunities.
Want deeper insights into effective financial communications partnerships? Visit www.fifthavenuebrands.com to explore our perspective on driving measurable business impact through strategic communications.
Choose partners who demonstrate impact, not just promise it.
