We’ve all heard the phrase “print is dead” — but for community banks and credit unions, nothing could be further from the truth. While digital marketing is faster and often more cost-effective, traditional print marketing still plays a vital role in creating personal, tangible touchpoints that customers value and remember.
The real magic happens when you stop thinking of print and digital strategies as competing forces and start blending them into a cohesive, complementary strategy.
Let’s talk about why print still matters and how to make it work alongside your digital initiatives.
Why Print Still Belongs in Your Marketing Plan – A Main Street Guide
While your customers are certainly checking emails, scrolling social feeds, and managing their finances through mobile apps, print continues to hold a unique place in how people experience and remember a brand — especially when it comes to financial institutions.
Here’s why print marketing for banks and credit unions works.
What Print Marketing Can Do For Your Bank or Credit Union
Print Grabs Attention in a Crowded Digital Space
Consumers are bombarded by hundreds of digital messages every day. A well-designed postcard or direct mail piece can cut through the clutter, offering something tactile and personal that lands directly in a customer’s hands — not their spam folder.
Example: A direct mail campaign promoting your new mortgage rates or credit card rewards program can see higher open and response rates than a comparable email blast.
Supports Local, Community-Driven Brand Building
For community banks and credit unions, physical presence matters. In-branch signage, brochures, and print collateral reinforce your commitment to the neighborhoods you serve and create opportunities for customers to engage with your services while they’re already in your space.
Example: Promote a community event or financial literacy workshop with eye-catching posters and flyers in your branch lobbies and local businesses.
Enhances Customer Trust and Credibility
Printed materials — especially in financial services — often carry a sense of legitimacy that digital content alone can’t replicate. Brochures, welcome kits, and rate sheets offer reassurance and professionalism, particularly for customers making important financial decisions.
Example: New account holders appreciate receiving a printed welcome packet outlining services, contact details, and security tips — something tangible they can refer to later.
How to Blend Print and Digital for Maximum Impact
You don’t have to choose between digital and print. In fact, your marketing is stronger when they work together. Here are a few ways to integrate both:
Print Marketing Ideas That Still Deliver
Here’s a quick list of print tactics that continue to perform for local financial institutions:
It’s Not Either/Or With Print & Digital Marketing — It’s Both
In a digital-first world, print isn’t obsolete — it’s an opportunity. When combined with digital marketing tools and strategies, print creates meaningful, multi-channel experiences that customers notice and remember.
The smartest community banks and credit unions aren’t choosing sides. They’re creating marketing ecosystems where print and digital work hand-in-hand to engage, inform, and build trust with their customers.
Make Print Marketing Work for You with Main Street
For the last 25 years and counting, Main Street has helped financial institutions engage their communities through custom print. From branded envelopes and in-branch marketing materials to our all-in-one marketing and engagement hub, Connect, we’re here to turn your outreach into outcomes.
