Umpqua Bank

A Surprisingly Different Community Bank

Umpqua Bank isn’t your average financial institution. Known for its customer-centric approach and deep community ties, the bank sought Watson’s expertise to create tailored campaigns that would elevate its B2C and B2B offerings. From small business solutions to personal banking experiences, Umpqua Bank’s mission was clear: to bring financial peace of mind to its customers while strengthening its role as a community partner.

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Personalization for Every Persona

Watson’s partnership with Umpqua Bank began with an extensive research process to understand the bank’s diverse customer base. Through workshops, surveys, and stakeholder interviews, we developed three core personas:

  1. Small Business Owners, seeking reliable tools and support to simplify operations.
  2. Personal Banking Customers, prioritizing convenience, flexibility, and personalized attention.
  3. Community Members, valuing authenticity and partnerships that support local growth.

These personas informed every aspect of the campaigns, from messaging to design, ensuring that Umpqua’s offerings resonated with their audiences’ unique needs and preferences.

B2C Campaigns That Deliver Financial Harmony

Watson created a suite of B2C campaigns highlighting Umpqua’s commitment to financial harmony and peace of mind. Digital and print assets showcased customer stories, emphasizing how the bank’s solutions fit seamlessly into their lives. Social media campaigns featured user-friendly tools like mobile banking and personalized financial advice, driving engagement and trust.

Localized messaging connected with community members, celebrating Umpqua’s involvement in local initiatives and its dedication to supporting regional growth. These efforts positioned Umpqua as a financial institution that truly understands and serves its communities.

B2B Campaigns That Simplify Business Banking

For small business owners, Umpqua Bank’s campaigns highlighted their tailored solutions and partnership mindset. Watson developed assets showcasing how the bank simplifies the hardest parts of running a business, from cash flow management to securing loans. Testimonials from real business owners reinforced Umpqua’s reliability and effectiveness.

The campaigns also included educational resources and tools, empowering business owners to make informed financial decisions. Geotargeted digital ads ensured these messages reached the right audience, driving inquiries and building relationships.

RESEARCH

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Results

Results: Strengthened Connections and Growth

Watson’s strategic campaigns delivered measurable results for Umpqua Bank:

  • 31% increase in small business banking inquiries, driven by targeted messaging.
  • 23% boost in digital engagement, with customers praising the clarity and accessibility of the campaigns.
  • Increased community involvement, with a notable rise in participation at Umpqua-sponsored events.

Benefits

Not Everything. Just What Works.

Strategy

Build from insight. Strategy isn’t guesswork—it’s groundwork. We listen, research, and distill what matters to guide smarter decisions and set a solid creative direction.

Content

Make it meaningful. From naming to narratives, we create content that speaks with purpose—rooted in truth, tuned to your audience, and built to connect.

Digital

Design for behavior. We craft digital experiences that are intuitive, scalable, and aligned with how real people move, click, swipe, and search.

Experiential

Bring brands to life. Physical spaces, moments, and memories matter. We design experiences that feel human—and stay with you long after the lights go out.

Marketing

Drive connection. Our marketing approach blends data and instinct—getting the right message to the right people, in ways that actually move them.

Consulting

Partner on progress. We work alongside your team to solve real problems, shift thinking, and build internal alignment—without the agency ego.