J.D. Power Reports: Overall Satisfaction Declines among Small Business Banking Customers; Biggest Declines Are in Fees and Problem Resolution

Scotiabank Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction for a Second Consecutive Year

TORONTO, Sept. 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Overall satisfaction declines 10 points among small business banking customers, with the largest declines in fees and problem resolution, according to the J.D. Power 2013 Canadian Small Business Banking Satisfaction Study^SM released today.

"Small businesses are very sensitive to bank fees. Not only are they the primary driver of problems, but bank fees are also the most commonly cited reason for why small businesses decide to switch banks," said Jim Miller, senior director of banking at J.D. Power. "Assigning an account manager who understands their customers' business and works to resolve their problems may help minimize the impact of fee changes, as well as increase both satisfaction and key business metrics, such as advocacy, loyalty and customer retention."

KEY FINDINGS

• Fees satisfaction declines due to changes in small business fee structures, with 39 per cent of customers experiencing a fee structure change in 2013. More than one-half (59 per cent) of small business customers who indicate they intend to switch financial institution during the next 12 months cite fees as the primary reason.
• Fewer small business customers experienced a problem year over year (24 per cent vs. 30 per cent, respectively); however, those who did are less likely to indicate their problem was resolved to their satisfaction, compared with 2012 (74 per cent vs. 80 per cent, respectively).
• Satisfaction declines the most among the largest segment of small business customers (sales volume between $2.5M and $10M), with a 41-point decline to 727 in 2013 from 768 in 2012.

Rankings
Scotiabank ranks highest in overall satisfaction for a second consecutive year (727 on a 1,000-point scale), followed by BMO Bank of Montreal (725) and TD Canada Trust (724).

The 2013 Canadian Small Business Banking Satisfaction Study measures small business financial decision-makers' satisfaction with their primary financial institution across eight factors: channel activities; account manager; facility; fees; product offerings; account information; credit services; and problem resolution. Channel activities are comprised of six sub-factors: branch, website, ABM, IVR, call centre and mobile. The study, which was fielded from June 2013 through July 2013, includes responses from 1,018 small business owners or financial decision-makers who use business banking services in Canada.

Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking				J.D. Power.com Power Circle Ratings
(Based on a 1,000-point scale)				For Consumers
Scotiabank	727			5
BMO Bank of Montreal	725			5
TD Canada Trust	724			4
RBC Royal Bank	721			4
Industry Average	718			3
CIBC	702			2

Power Circle Ratings Legend:
5 - Among the best
4 - Better than most
3 - About average
2 - The rest

 

SOURCE: J.D. Power and Associates

Media Relations Contacts
Beth Daniher; Cohn & Wolfe; Toronto, Canada; 647-259-3279; [email protected]
Gal Wilder; Cohn & Wolfe; Toronto, Canada; 647-259-3261; [email protected]
John Tews; Troy, Mich.; 248-680-6218; [email protected]
About J.D. Power and Advertising/Promotional Rules www.jdpower.com/corporate
About McGraw Hill Financial www.mhfi.com