The big switch towards channels of the future: banking and insurance distribution in a new omnichannel world

Are you delivering great service through every channel?

Efma is delighted to announce the second of its exciting new ‘weeks’. This is a new initiative that underlines how Efma is embracing change with the aim of bringing even more value to our members. Each of these weeks has a different theme, and brings several of our conferences together. Along with our growing presence on various social networks, this enables us to develop a ‘connected community’ of financial services professionals who have common needs and interests.

The ‘Distribution Week’ enables retail banking and insurance leaders to take a fresh look at how distribution channels can be the key to excellence in customer service levels, marketing and sales. This event also provides ample opportunity for you to network with your peers.

Distribution Week has been organised in response to the critical need for retail banking and insurance leaders to recognise and embrace the impact of technology on our business. It is transforming the ways in which we communicate and interact with the world around us. We will look at how this will affect the distribution model.

This three-day event will include:

• Presentations from over 90 banks and businesses on their latest distribution strategies for future growth
• Debates and discussions with retail banking, insurance and other industry leaders
• 'Pick and mix' best practice presentations and hands-on interactive discussions

Why focus on distribution?
Distribution is a key battleground for financial institutions, as they no longer have to manage a few channels but increasingly an ‘omnichannel’ relationship with their customers. Meanwhile, new regulations could open the doors to new entrants, so banks and insurers must rapidly enhance their distribution channels to prevent non-bank retail competitors from eroding their profits.

Ten years ago, Bill Gates predicted: “Banking may be necessary, but banks… we’re not really sure about those.” Efma’s new Distribution Week will help financial institutions to explore the future of distribution channels as the gap between the physical and digital realms narrows. Banks and insurers increasingly need to offer a seamless, integrated and personalised omnichannel experience.

Key questions

• What now for banks and insurers? With increasing disintermediation, will they just become wholesalers, networks and product manufacturers or focus on innovative capability and the integrated distribution of products with excellent service levels? They need to make the most of their existing interactions and customer touch points.
• What next for channels? There is a need for a greater sense of intimacy within the branch and more effective online and mobile engagement strategies. Do the ‘new’ channels really herald dramatic change?
• How innovative are financial institutions? Innovation must be at the heart of change. New developments such as partnerships and emerging brand alternatives should be explored, and ways found to link the omnichannel world and new technologies with financial product distribution.

Hot topics
Here are just some of the important topics that will be covered during the event:

• Developments and distribution across local and pan-European markets
• Alternative non-bank distribution networks and strategies
• Omnichannel marketing, distribution and convergence
• Search engine, web and Internet optimisation
• Mobile and social media channels
• Gamification and geolocation: future e-channel development
• Effective security methods for online, mobile and tablets
• The changing role of the branch: new formats, new tools and new ideas
• Developments in kiosks and ATMs
• Insurance distribution: the future of tied agents, franchises and brokers
• Insurance models: aggregators, direct insurance, bancassurance and others
• New communication channels for distribution
• Profitable future strategies for banks in a multichannel world
• Banking models: IFAs, partnerships, self-service and call centres
• Channel convergence and future developments and opportunities

Don’t miss out - book your place now!