Social Media Compliance for Community Banks: Key Insights from My Podcast with The Bank Marketing Show

Our Founder, Jill D. Williams recently had the opportunity to dive into a crucial topic on The Bank Marketing Show podcast with Chris Bates with Agora Eversole and Dan Novalis with 2Novas . Social media compliance is not only a regulatory necessity but a powerful way for banks to engage meaningfully with customers while adhering to standards that protect both the institution and its reputation.

If you’re ready to enhance your bank’s social media strategy, I invite you to watch the full podcast episode here: The Bank Marketing Show Episode 71.

In our conversation, we broke down how community banks can manage compliance effectively and harness social media’s potential to strengthen customer relationships and promote their brand.

Why Community Banks Need a Compliant and Creative Social Media Strategy

One of the main themes of our discussion was that compliance and creativity can work hand in hand. With the right approach, a strong foundation of compliance can actually fuel dynamic and engaging social media strategies. Social media is more than just a platform for community updates; it’s a powerful way to inform and connect with customers personally.

Here are five key takeaways from our conversation to help community banks build a robust, compliant social media strategy:

1. Build a Robust Social Media Policy A comprehensive social media policy serves as a blueprint for compliant engagement. This policy should include guidelines on acceptable practices, risk mitigation, and compliance checks, guiding everything from post language to topic selection. Updating this policy frequently ensures that your bank is prepared to navigate evolving regulations.
2. Monitor Consistently and Proactively With social media’s fast pace, structured and proactive monitoring is essential. Monitoring posts, comments, and interactions regularly helps identify and address potential risks before they escalate.
3. Know What Regulators Look For Knowing what regulators focus on can make audit preparation smoother. During the podcast, I shared insights on developing policies, ensuring employees are trained on compliance basics, and keeping thorough records—helping your bank present itself as a responsible community presence.
4. Respond Promptly to Compliance Flags Social media operates in real-time, and prompt response to compliance flags is critical. Addressing flagged content swiftly helps manage compliance concerns effectively, preventing minor issues from becoming significant challenges.
5. Partner with Experts for Added Support Partnering with experienced professionals in banking compliance can provide added support, enabling your team to focus on connecting with customers confidently while meeting all regulatory requirements.

Social Media Compliance is an Ongoing Journey

Social media regulations evolve continuously, and it’s essential for banks to stay adaptable. Since the 2013 FFIEC Social Media Compliance Guidance, best practices have advanced, and banks need forward-thinking strategies to engage confidently without risking compliance.

Strengthen Your Social Media Compliance with BANK MONITOR

For community banks aiming to strengthen their social media compliance efforts, BANK MONITOR offers a tailored solution. Built specifically for community banks, BANK MONITOR simplifies compliance by tracking, managing, and safeguarding your social media presence in alignment with regulatory requirements. With BANK MONITOR, every post aligns with your compliance goals, allowing you to focus on meaningful engagement.

To learn more about taking your social media compliance to the next level, reach out! You’re also invited to join our LinkedIn group, The Social Compliance Collective, where bankers connect to navigate social media regulations together.