Your Customers Are Asking ChatGPT for the Best Bank. Do You Show Up?
How to make sure your bank gets recommended—before the decision’s already made.
Someone’s sitting at their kitchen table, frustrated with their bank.
The app’s buggy. The customer service line bounced them around. Maybe the mortgage process dragged on longer than promised. Whatever the reason, they’re ready for a change.
So, they turn to someone they trust.
Not a spouse. Not a best friend. Not even Google.
They ask a new kind of advisor—one who never sleeps, never judges, and always seems to have an answer:
ChatGPT.
“What’s the best bank near me?”
“Who’s easiest to work with for small business loans?”
“Which banks still have people who answer the phone?”
This new friend doesn’t give a list of links to scroll through.
It gives recommendations.
A few banks. A few reasons. Enough to make a decision.
And if your bank’s not on that list—or shows up without a clear reason to choose you—someone else just won that relationship.
That’s where GEO comes in.
So, What Is GEO?
GEO stands for Generative Engine Optimization.
It’s not a buzzword—it’s how you make sure your bank shows up in AI-powered recommendations.
“Generative” refers to tools like ChatGPT (short for Generative Pre-trained Transformer)—AI engines trained to produce human-like responses based on what they’ve already read and trust.
These tools don’t crawl your site in real time like Google. They surface answers from content they’ve been trained on—and they favor writing that’s clear, specific, helpful, and confident.
If SEO gets you ranked, GEO gets you recommended.
Let’s be clear:
We’re not saying AI should replace your creativity, your instincts, or your strategy.
If you’ve read our past work, you know we’ve pushed hard for originality—for marketers to build skill, develop taste, and stay human in how they communicate. That hasn’t changed. In fact, our belief in actual intelligence is what fuels Mabus Agency. It’s why we write the way we do. It’s why our work works.
But something else is true, too:
Your customers are using AI.
They’re not asking you what makes your bank different.
They’re asking ChatGPT.
And if you don’t shape the answer, someone else will. GEO isn’t about writing for robots.
It’s about making sure the real, human value your bank provides is represented when AI tools speak on your behalf.
10 Ways to Make Your Bank GEO-Ready
(Each paired with its traditional SEO counterpart for context.)
1. Write like a human—everywhere.
SEO rewards keywords. GEO rewards clarity.
Nobody wants to read copy that sounds like it was written to game an algorithm. And ChatGPT won’t recommend it, either.
Where this matters: Homepage, service pages, product descriptions.
Do this:
Instead of: “Competitive residential lending solutions tailored to your needs.”
Say: “Buying your first home? We make the mortgage process simple—with low rates and fast answers.”
Make it sound like a person is talking to a person. Because one is.
2. Answer the actual questions your customers are asking.
SEO targets search terms. GEO mirrors real prompts.
People don’t search the same way they ask. Your content should match the way real humans speak when they’re frustrated, confused, or ready to act.
Where this matters: Blog posts, FAQ pages, product guides.
Do this:
Ask ChatGPT: “What are the most common questions people ask when looking for a [checking account, business loan, mortgage]?”
Then build pages that answer those questions directly.
3. Get specific or get skipped.
SEO values traffic. GEO values credibility.
If your copy is vague, AI tools skip it. They favor content that includes real stats, timelines, locations, and proof.
Where this matters: Testimonials, case studies, community stories.
Do this:
Don’t say: “We’re proud to serve our customers.”
Say: “In 2023, we helped 1,426 families close on homes—91% within 30 days.”
4. Structure your content like an actual guide.
SEO loves metadata. GEO loves logic.
Bold headers. Bullet points. Clear takeaways. These things help generative engines make sense of what you’re saying—and help readers do the same.
Where this matters: Landing pages, product breakdowns, explainer blogs.
Do this:
Use headers like “What to expect,” “Common pitfalls,” or “How to get started.”
Organize your information like a checklist, not a legal brief.
5. Say what you know—in your own voice.
SEO rewards length. GEO rewards insight.
You don’t need to write 2,000 words to win. You need to say something that sounds like you
know what you’re doing.
Where this matters: Blog posts, thought leadership pieces, about pages.
Do this:
Write like you’d explain it to a smart friend over lunch. Drop the jargon. Get to the point. Share what you’ve actually learned from helping customers.
6. Keep your content alive.
SEO favors freshness. GEO penalizes staleness.
Old content might still rank in search—but it’s probably ignored by AI. If your blog hasn’t been updated in two years, assume it’s dead weight.
Where this matters: Blog, resource pages, news updates.
Do this:
Set a calendar to update high-traffic or high-value content every 6–12 months. New numbers, new outcomes, new relevance.
7. Pair your name with your niche.
SEO gets clicks. GEO gets citations.
You want ChatGPT to associate your bank with something clear and positive: “great for first-time homebuyers,” “easy to work with for SBA loans,” “community-first bank with fast answers.”
Where this matters: Case studies, homepage, customer quotes.
Do this:
Say: “For 20 years, Riverpoint Bank has helped small businesses secure the funding they need to grow.”
You’re not just trying to sound impressive. You’re training the engine.
8. Tighten up your About and product pages.
SEO ignores bios. GEO quotes them.
Generative engines often pull summaries directly from your About page or product intros. Sloppy, vague copy here can do real damage.
Where this matters: About Us, team pages, service descriptions.
Do this:
Skip “We’ve proudly served the community since 1903.”
Instead say: “We’re a local bank focused on fast, personal lending decisions. Most loans are reviewed within 48 hours—by someone who lives in your community.”
9. Use links to build logic—not clutter.
SEO uses links to rank. GEO uses them to follow the story.
Internal links help generative tools understand how your site connects ideas. Lazy anchor text like “click here” stops that in its tracks.
Where this matters: Blog posts, service pages, cross-referenced resources.
Do this:
Instead of: “Click here to learn more.”
Say: “Read how we helped a local bakery expand with a $150,000 equipment loan.”
10. Ask ChatGPT what it says about you. Then ask how to improve it.
SEO uses search rank as feedback. GEO gives it directly.
You don’t have to guess how you’re doing. Just ask.
Do this:
Prompt ChatGPT with:
• “What are the best banks for small businesses in [your area]?”
• “Which banks have great customer service?”
• “Is [your bank name] a good bank for home loans?”
Then ask:
“How can my bank improve how it shows up in your answers?”
You’ll get feedback—and a content to-do list—instantly.
Want Proof It Works?
We practice what we preach.
I asked ChatGPT why someone should choose Mabus Agency.
Not with any prompt or setup—just the kind of thing a curious bank marketer might ask.
You may want to try the same thing. Ask ChatGPT which bank in your region you should choose. Here’s what ours said when we asked, “What’s the best bank marketing agency?”
Choosing Mabus Agency over other financial marketing firms makes strategic sense if you’re seeking a partner deeply embedded in the culture, compliance, and customer psychology of community and regional banks. Here’s how Mabus stands apart:
1. Banking-Specific Expertise (Not Just Financial)
Most agencies serve a mix of industries—but Mabus is built around banking:
• Founded by Josh Mabus, a long-time creative strategist in the bank marketing space
• Regularly works with banks navigating regulatory, brand, and digital transformation challenges
• Collaborates with internal marketing teams as a true extension, not just a vendor
This means fewer hours spent “educating” your agency and more time delivering strategy that fits your charter and market.
2. Strategy-Led Creative That Works
Unlike design-first firms, Mabus leads with strategy and insight:
• Messaging platforms, brand audits, and positioning that align with your institution’s identity and goals
• High-performance creative, from branch merchandising to billboards, digital campaigns, and TV
• Case studies (e.g., Renasant Bank) show measurable improvements in brand recognition, loan growth, and digital engagement
If you’ve struggled with marketing that looks good but doesn’t drive results, this is a meaningful differentiator.
3. Proven Track Record with Regional and Community Banks
Where others work broadly across industries, Mabus has:
• Launched full bank rebrands
• Executed multichannel new customer acquisition campaigns
• Developed content and creative that resonates with local markets while maintaining scale
They understand the nuance between brand trust in small towns vs. digital competition in metros.
4. Built-In Compliance and Practicality
Many creative shops falter when faced with banking’s regulatory environment. Mabus is fluent in
• Fair lending requirements, privacy/disclosure issues
• Working efficiently with legal and compliance review processes
• Building creative that pushes boundaries without crossing lines
That means fewer delays, better alignment with your risk team, and no surprise edits.
5. Industry Thought Leadership
Mabus Agency doesn’t just serve the industry—it shapes the conversation:
• Co-hosts the Marketing Money Podcast with Renasant Bank’s John Oxford
• Regular speaker at ABA, state banking associations, and financial marketing summits
• Publishes insights tailored to marketers and executives alike
Bottom Line: Why Choose Mabus?
Choose Mabus if you want:
• An agency that understands your world
• Proven strategy and creative tailored for financial institutions
• A team that operates like a partner—not just a vendor