A bank does household chores; free antique appraisals; open a checking account fast--guaranteed.

• Position: Ideas That Work - Brief Article

It probably isn't news to you that competition in the banking industry is growing more intense. Banks are getting bigger and more aggressive every day. Even state lines are not sufficient barriers anymore.

You are not, however, without resources. Here are a few ideas, already in use, that may put a smile on your customers' faces:

Good Neighbor Policy. New Haven (Conn.) Savings Bank chose to emphasize its hometown roots with a promotion campaign titled "Today. Tomorrow. Together." When customers dropped in to one of the bank's 31 branches, they had an opportunity to win one of several unique neighborly services. Bank employees might be enlisted to walk a customer's dog every morning for a month, cut the grass once a week, pick up (and pay for) the dry cleaning every week, or come over to cook dinner. Business clients had the choice having ice cream delivered every week, or bagels and coffee, the use of a local movie theater for a private screening, or a catered soiree aboard a chartered schooner.

The offer, which was also available to noncustomers, was announced in the company's 2002 annual report.

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