While digital transformation has revolutionized mobile and online banking, many physical branches still rely on static posters and outdated communication methods. This reluctance to modernize is often fueled by persistent myths about digital signage—that it’s too expensive, complex, or ineffective.
These misconceptions are roadblocks that prevent banks from enhancing customer experience and optimizing operations. By holding on to these outdated beliefs, financial institutions miss essential opportunities to engage customers, streamline service delivery, and align their physical spaces with their digital-first initiatives. In reality, digital signage is a proven tool for driving efficiency and revenue. Let’s debunk the eight most common myths holding banks back and explore the facts.
Myth 1: Digital Signage Is Too Expensive for Branches
The Myth: Many decision-makers view digital signage as a luxury line item, a flashy addition that drains budgets without offering a clear financial return. The assumption is that the hardware, software, and maintenance costs outweigh any potential benefits.
The Reality: Digital signage is a strategic investment that reduces long-term operational costs and eliminates waste. Banks that implement digital-first branch upgrades, including signage and automation, report operational cost reductions of up to 20% by streamlining communication and reducing manual tasks—branches run leaner and more efficiently. In addition, switching to digital displays can reduce print and material waste by up to 80% annually, cutting a significant recurring line item from the branch budget.
When you look beyond the initial hardware purchase, the cost savings become evident. Traditional static signage requires constant printing, shipping, and manual installation every time a rate changes or a new campaign launches. Digital signage eliminates these recurring expenses. ur teams don’t have to rethink how they publish.
Myth 2: Customers Don’t Notice Branch Screens
The Myth: “We have screens, but nobody looks at them.” This sentiment often stems from poor implementation, such as placing small screens in low-traffic areas or running stale content. Skeptics argue that customers are too glued to their phones to notice lobby displays.
The Reality: When content is relevant and placed correctly, customers notice—and they remember. Digital signage achieves an impressive 83% message retention rate, which is double that of traditional static marketing methods. People don’t just see the screen; they absorb the message. Despite the growth of mobile banking, the branch remains a critical touchpoint: 60% of customers still prefer in-branch visits for more complex transactions, providing ample opportunity for digital engagement.
Visual communication is powerful. Unlike a static poster that blends into the background after a few visits, digital screens attract the eye through motion and brightness. The key is relevance; customers engage with content that informs or entertains them while they wait.
Myth 3: Digital Signage Doesn’t Influence Banking Behavior
The Myth: Even if customers see the screens, skeptics doubt it actually changes what they do. The belief is that digital signage is a passive “wallpaper” rather than an active sales or service tool.
The Reality: Strategic screen content directly drives product exploration and service adoption. Interactive kiosks and well-placed screens reduce perceived wait times by 35%, leading to higher satisfaction and more engagement with staff. Retail businesses using digital signage to promote specific products can see up to a 24-38% boost in product engagement, planting the seed that opens more customer conversations. An independent 2024 study focused on banks and credit unions found that digital signage “significantly enhances the customer experience” when customers are waiting or transacting—classic operational use cases. Digital signage acts as a silent salesperson. It can prompt a customer waiting for a teller to ask about a mortgage rate, download the mobile app, or inquire about a wealth management service they didn’t know existed. It bridges the gap between waiting and transacting.
Myth 4: The ROI Is Unclear and Hard to Measure
The Myth: “It looks nice, but what is it doing for the bottom line?” Financial leaders often struggle to sign off on digital signage projects because they view the Return on Investment (ROI) as soft or intangible.
The Reality: ROI is measurable across engagement, sales uplift, and efficiency gains. A 2025 benchmark study of 90 U.S. banks and credit unions found that over 52% of financial institutions can directly attribute increased sales to digital signage in branches, with 62% reporting sales increases of 11–30% and 10% reporting sales increases of 50% or more tied to signage (DBSI). This kind of impact shows that digital signage doesn’t just look good—it drives meaningful results in customer engagement and revenue growth.
You can track the impact of digital signage just like digital ads. By correlating playlist schedules with sales data, app downloads, or queue times, banks can draw clear lines between what is on the screen and business outcomes.
Myth 5: Digital Signage Is Only for Marketing
The Myth: Signage is just for ads. The common view can limit digital screens to digital posters, promoting credit cards, and new account bonuses.
The Reality: Modern branches use screens as vital operational tools for staff and customers. Content has shifted from “just promos” to a much broader operational mix: 86% run financial education content, 53% share financial safety tips, and 82% still run promotions—but as part of a more strategic content blend. Notably, 45% of financial institutions use digital signage for financial safety and security messages in their branches. Screens guide visitors, manage queues, inform back-office staff, and provide critical alerts, making them indispensable for daily operations and marketing. (DBSI) While marketing is a key function, operational communication is equally important.
Myth 6: Integrations Are Too Complex
The Myth: Connecting digital screens to existing bank systems (such as queue management, appointment booking, or market data feeds) is seen as a technical nightmare rife with security holes and compatibility issues.
The Reality: Banking-grade solutions are designed for seamless, secure integration with systems like Adobe Experience Manager, Kaltura, and Miller Zell. Today’s digital signage software is API-first—built to connect with the tools and data banks already use, from Microsoft 365 to queueing and appointment systems, without custom code. Integration is the norm, not the exception. In fact, API adoption in banking has grown nearly 300% since 2018, positioning digital signage as an agile hub for real-time data and dynamic messaging. For instance, Korbyt’s intelligent CMS offers over 75 out-of-the-box integrations, eliminating the need for manual data entry or custom code.
Myth 7: Digital Signage Creates Security Risks
The Myth: Putting connected devices in a bank lobby feels risky. IT security teams often worry that screens could be hacked or that the software introduces vulnerabilities into the secure banking network.
The Reality: Enterprise-grade signage platforms meet rigorous security standards and follow the same secure cloud, identity, and network protocols expected in digital banking channels. Leading providers offer SOC 2 compliance, end-to-end encryption, and on-premises options for strict data sovereignty needs. Digital signage solutions are designed to satisfy financial sector regulations and are supported by best practice resources, like those from the U.S. Treasury and the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council on secure cloud adoption. The real question isn’t ‘Is cloud signage allowed?’—it’s ‘Does your signage platform meet the same controls you demand from any other critical vendor?’
Myth 8: Content Creation Requires an Expensive Agency
The Myth: “We can afford the screens, but we can’t afford the content.” Many banks fear that feeding a digital signage network requires hiring a dedicated design agency or significantly expanding the internal creative team.
The Reality: Automation and templates have democratized design. You don’t need a Hollywood studio to run a digital signage network—modern CMS platforms include rich template libraries and automation tools that enable communication teams to create professional-grade content in minutes. Template-based content and AI-assisted design are now standard, allowing banks to handle routine updates like rate changes, promos, or lobby messages internally—no agency required. Korbyt, for example, offers integrated templates, AI tools, and works seamlessly with platforms like Canva.
Moving from Myth to Strategy
The hesitation to adopt digital signage is often rooted in outdated perceptions. The data is clear: digital signage is not just a cost center—it is a cost saver, a revenue generator, and a critical component of the modern customer experience.
Implementing digital signage is a strategic opportunity to transform bank environments into dynamic, engaging spaces for both employees and customers.
Here’s a streamlined guide to getting started:
1. Define Objectives and Build Collaboration
Identify goals like improving employee communication, enhancing marketing effectiveness, or upgrading customer experience. Form a cross-functional team from HR, marketing, IT, and operations to align needs with strategic outcomes.
2. Develop an Effective Content Strategy
- Employee Communication: Share updates, recognize achievements, and broadcast HR initiatives or performance metrics to foster transparency and motivation.
- Marketing Campaigns: Deliver localized and dynamic messages for promotions, cross-selling, and real-time updates. Tailor content to resonate with branch-level audiences.
- Additional Use Cases: Utilize signage for queue management, financial education campaigns, and localized community engagement.
3. Start Small with Pilot Programs
Test in select branches to refine workflows, evaluate performance analytics, and monitor KPIs like engagement and operational efficiency. Use these insights to inform a wider rollout.
4. Leverage Data-Driven Content and Analytics
Integrate dynamic playlists with data sources and financial feeds to deliver personalized, real-time messaging. Continuously track metrics like content interaction and employee engagement to optimize strategies.
Discover Digital Signage’s Full Potential
By combining dynamic content, clear communication, and data-driven strategies, banks and financial institutions can enhance employee morale, elevate customer experiences, and streamline operations. Digital signage isn’t just a tool; it’s a strategic investment in future-ready banking environments. Take action now to achieve impactful, scalable results.
