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Hero Image for Lob Deep Dives Blog PostHow Financial Services Teams Can Save Time and Drive ROI with Direct Mail 
Direct Mail
November 26, 2024

How Financial Services Teams Can Save Time and Drive ROI with Direct Mail 

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Compliance. Efficiency. Keeping costs low while keeping customers happy. Financial services pros have enough to juggle without endless manual tasks and outdated direct mail systems.

That’s why it’s so important for high-performing finserv teams to put the right direct mail programs and tools in place to maximize efficiency – and ROI. 

Whether you're handling a ton of transactional and operational mail or launching personalized marketing campaigns, digitally-powered direct mail offers a practical, scalable way to address some of the biggest challenges marketing and operations departments face. It's compliant, cost-friendly, and delivers solid response rates, all while streamlining workflows and saving time. 

Why financial services leaders rely on direct mail

Before we get into “how” direct mail fits into your outreach efforts, let’s start with “why” direct mail — specifically automated direct mail — is such a powerful tool.

It allows you to simplify complex workflows to save time
Manually managing high-volume mail can be a logistical nightmare. Direct mail automation takes tedious processes like list management and proofing off your team’s plate. The result? Less time spent on repetitive tasks and more time to focus on strategic priorities.

Direct mail builds trust with secure, compliant communication
For an industry built on trust, security is everything. Direct mail offers a reliable way to communicate with customers while meeting strict compliance standards like SOC 2 and PCI DSS. It’s the secure choice for delivering account updates, tax documents, or sensitive financial information.

You can measure its impact and strong ROI
Direct mail delivers better response rates than just digital channels. It nudges people to visit websites, drop by branches, and redeem offers. Including QR codes and trackable PURLs makes it easy for financial brands to track engagement and see how their campaigns are performing.

Supercharge ROI with personalized direct mail campaigns

The days of one-size-fits-all mail are over. Personalization is now a must for finserv brands looking to deliver messages that stick. Here’s what works.

  1. Attract new customers with tailored offers

Direct mail is a powerful channel for customer acquisition. By segmenting audiences, financial brands can create mail pieces that speak directly to individual needs. 
What it looks like in action:
Send exclusive rewards offers to new movers in your area to make a positive first impression.

  1. Strengthen loyalty with timely updates

Retention matters just as much as acquisition — and can lead to big savings in the long run. Use automated direct mail to send updates like account summaries, renewal reminders, or special perks. 
What it looks like in action:
Send a letter to loyal customers with a limited-time interest rate boost on savings accounts — it’s the little things that make a big difference.

  1. Drive revenue with cross-selling and up-selling

Direct mail makes it easy to promote complementary services based on activity online or complete purchases. Use data from purchases or online activity to match the right product to the right person and extend the reach of your omnichannel campaigns.
What it looks like in action:
After someone buys a home, send them a mortgage refinancing offer that's customized to their loan type and duration. Or, if someone shows interest in financial products online — like checking out retirement accounts or investment options — follow up with direct mail that offers exclusive incentives or detailed guides. 

Choosing the right format for maximum impact

Choosing the right format can significantly impact your campaign’s effectiveness. Financial services companies can use these formats to their advantage:

  • Postcards: Affordable and versatile, postcards are perfect for catching attention with eye-catching visuals and short messages. Use them for things like credit card offers, event invites, or reminders about upcoming account updates. Their straightforwardness makes them great for encouraging quick actions, like visiting a branch or redeeming an offer online.
  • Self-Mailers:A foldable, all-in-one format perfect for showing off multiple services or products visually appealing. It’s a great way to highlight a range of offerings, like loan options, insurance plans, or bundled financial services, with a clear call to action. Their compact yet complete design packs a punch without needing an envelope.
  • Booklets: When you need to communicate complex or detailed information, booklets are your best bet. They're perfect for sharing things like investment portfolio summaries, product comparisons, or financial planning guides. With their polished look, they capture the attention of important decision-makers and build trust and credibility.
  • Account Statements: Keep your customers in the loop and feel confident with clear and concise account summaries. Share key details like balances, transactions, and payment reminders, while keeping a polished and branded design. Focusing on clarity and accuracy builds trust and meets financial industry standards.
  • Tax Documents and Paychecks: Deliver sensitive materials with the security and professionalism your customers count on. From W-2s and 1099s to payroll checks, make sure these important documents reach their destination accurately, securely, and in line with all regulations, so recipients can feel at ease.

Make direct mail part of your omnichannel strategy

Direct mail gets even better when you mix it with digital channels. By combining the physical touch of mail with the ease of digital, you can create a smooth and effective omnichannel experience.

Create a unified customer journey
Direct mail fits naturally into an omnichannel strategy, complementing email, SMS, and online ads. For example, a mailer introducing a new credit card offer could be reinforced with follow-up emails and digital retargeting ads, guiding customers through a multi-touch campaign.

Automate for real-time engagement
Automation takes your direct mail strategy to the next level by triggering mail based on customer behavior. For example, if a customer browses loan products online, a timely follow-up mailer offering a competitive rate keeps your brand top-of-mind and drives conversions.

Streamline your direct mail operations

In an industry that values speed and efficiency, direct mail automation offers financial services professionals a clear advantage.

Save time and money with automation
Direct mail automation can save significant time and cost—up to 85% in some cases. Automating workflows like data uploads, proofing, and tracking helps financial teams reclaim time and focus on higher-value tasks.

Improve accuracy with address verification
Address verification improves the accuracy of each mail piece, helping it reach the right recipient, and supporting a reliable customer experience in an industry where trust is paramount.

Measure success with trackable tools like QR codes and URLs
Tools like QR codes and personalized URLs provide real-time visibility into campaign success. With data on response rates and engagement, you can fine-tune your approach and make informed decisions that maximize ROI.

Why streamlining direct mail is the future for financial services in 2025

Direct mail is already a critical tool for financial services, but it doesn’t have to be a time-consuming or costly burden. Streamlining direct mail processes makes it faster, more efficient, and cost-effective—freeing up teams to focus on strategic priorities. When integrated with digital channels, it becomes more than just a compliance requirement; it’s a relationship-building powerhouse that delivers measurable ROI while meeting rising customer expectations.

Let’s talk about your strategy!
Discover how direct mail can transform your processes and deliver measurable ROI. Let’s chat about how to make it happen. Book a demo today

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