A new USC study finds nearly 60 percent of us would consider banking with familiar companies that have no experience in the financial service industry. (Photo/Hloom via Flickr)
Would you bank with Amazon or Google? More than half of us say ‘yes’
USC study finds technology tops location as customer priorities shift — and many of us are fine banking with a company that has no banking experience.
Would Americans consider putting their money in an Amazon Bank or Google Financial Services? A surprising number of us would.
Nearly 60 percent of American banking customers would consider moving their money to accounts offered by familiar companies, such as online retailers, search engines, or big-box stores, even though they have no experience with financial services, according to a new study conducted by the Center for the Digital Future at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
Walmart, Google and Amazon banking?
The study found that if their deposits had the same guarantees as traditional banks, Americans who would consider a non-traditional banking company as possible financial partners cited Amazon, Google and Walmart, among others.
The Center for the Digital Future’s study creates a portrait of Americans with contrasting views about their banking:
- 82 percent of customers are satisfied with their current banks but 46 percent of them would readily switch to another institution.
- 55 percent currently visit their brick-and-mortar branch in person at least monthly.
- 43 percent said they are likely to switch exclusively to online banking.
“We strongly believe banking is the next industry to be completely disrupted by digital change,” said Jeffrey Cole, director of the center. “Our research shows customers are far ahead of the banks in looking to the web and apps as their preferred banking methods.
“Banks are ill-prepared for the massive changes about to be brought by the entry of Amazon, Google and new fintech companies into their businesses.”
