Speaker: Juliana Halvorson, Vice President/Marketing Director, Pioneer Bank
What factors impacted your bank's decision to switch to .Bank?
Juliana Halvorson: So we made the strategic decision to switch to Pioneer.bank because of the clarity. And the credibility it brings to our brand. Previously we used Pioneer BNK.com, which confused our customers. The abbreviation of BNK.com just led to a lot of misdirection. Also, Pioneerbank.com had been registered by a cybersquatter, so we, this is before my time, but they didn't register that. So, switching to Pioneer.bank allowed us to clearly communicate who we are, while reinforcing our trust and authenticity with our customers.
What does the switch to .Bank mean to your bank?
Juliana Halvorson: The switch to Pioneer.Bank strengthened our brand integrity and the cybersecurity, with the .Bank domain. It comes with rigorous security requirements including email authenticity and mandatory encryption. It provides our customers with a safer online experience. It also enhanced our legitimacy in the digital space, when customers see the .Bank, they instantly recognize that they're dealing with a verified financial institution. So this added layer of trust, it just helped deepen our relationship with our customers, and they know that their transactions, their communications, everything's secure with us.
What is your advice to banks considering the switch to .Bank?
Juliana Halvorson: So make the switch. It's easier than you might think. It's absolutely worth the effort. With rising security, cyber threats, and digital skepticism, having the .Bank clearly signals that your institution prioritizes your customers' trust and online safety. For us, the transition was smooth. And the payoff is legitimacy, brand recognition, and customer confidence. If you're committed to protecting your customers and standing out as a secure, verified financial institution, I highly recommend you go and switch to a .Bank domain.
