The recent deregulation and stiffer competition in retail banking will boost the demand for marketing services at branches, according to the head of a U.S. marketing and design firm specializing in retail banking.
"The Japanese banking system is now becoming deregulated and the Japanese need marketing services focused specifically on and at the branch," said John Ryan, CEO of the eponymous company, in a recent interview.
The Minneapolis-based banking consultant works mainly with clients in the U.S. and Europe to encourage branch visitors to buy more products by improving interiors and the presentation of product information. The firm opened its first office in Tokyo last week.