If you’re providing financial services to your global clients then your reputation is everything. Public relations shapes public perception, fosters trust with stakeholders and regulators, increases brand visibility and helps you navigate crises. Here are 12 times when you really need a financial services PR agency and the stats to prove it.
#1 When You’ve Got A Trust Deficit To Fill
Trust is still the biggest challenge facing the financial services sector. According to research, only 59% of people trust financial services brands, compared to higher trust in tech and education industries. A PR agency can position your brand as transparent and ethical through storytelling, media placements, and thought leadership, all key to closing the trust gap.
#2 Because Earned Media Has More Impact Than Ads
Financial firms spend millions on advertising, but it’s earned media, genuine press coverage, that really moves the needle. Studies show that earned media boosts brand trust by 61% more than paid ads. A financial PR agency knows how to craft stories journalists want to cover, giving your brand third-party validation money can’t buy.
#3 Investor Confidence Is On The Line
Investors back companies they believe in. In fact, 67% of investors say trust is the most important factor when making decisions. Investor support can be the lifeblood of your business and growth meaning that your communication with them needs to be carefully created and managed. A financial services PR agency knows how to present your business as a reliable, trustworthy brand.
#4 You’re Launching A New Service Or Product
New products and services live or die by visibility. A generic press release isn’t enough. Research shows that tailored press releases drive 58% higher engagement than standard ones. A financial services PR team ensures your launch lands in the right media outlets, on the right platforms, and in front of the right stakeholders.
#5 When Customers Demand Personalisation
The modern customer expects financial providers to “know” them. 72% of customers say personalisation is highly important when interacting with their financial services provider. At the same time, 73% of marketers say improving customer experience is a top priority. A financial PR agency can craft messaging that feels personal, relevant, and engaging, ensuring your brand story resonates with audiences that matter most.
#6 You Need Thought Leadership That Converts
Strong thought-leadership content can deliver 3× more inbound enquiries. It’s no surprise then that 52% of organisations hire PR firms specifically for thought leadership. A financial services PR agency can place your experts in top-tier publications, podcasts, and panels, building authority and attracting clients.
#7 You Need Tier-One Financial Media Coverage
Financial journalists are bombarded with pitches daily. Without PR expertise, it’s easy for your story to be ignored. But done right, PR campaigns deliver 65–75% message pull-through, meaning your key points consistently appear in coverage. Even better, earned media coverage can be worth 3–5 times the value of equivalent paid advertising. That’s ROI a marketing budget can’t afford to ignore.
#8 You Want More Traffic And Higher Conversions
PR isn’t just about headlines, it drives measurable digital impact. PR-driven campaigns can boost website traffic by 25–40% in just 48 hours, while leads generated through PR convert at 10–20% higher rates than other traffic sources. A financial PR agency connects your news cycle with your sales funnel, ensuring visibility translates into business growth.
#9 When A Crisis Or Market Volatility Strikes
From banking collapses to crypto scandals, financial brands face constant reputational risks. Crisis management already makes up 21% of PR agency revenue, a sign of just how critical it is. Firms with a prepared PR strategy can reduce reputational damage by 65%, keeping investor confidence and customer loyalty intact even in stormy times.
#10 When You Need Long-Term SEO And Online Visibility
PR also improves search rankings. Companies that invest in PR see website traffic rise by 40% on average, while PR-driven SEO improves search visibility by 30%. A financial services PR agency ensures your media mentions, backlinks, and digital coverage all contribute to a stronger online presence.
#11 When Your Compliance Officer Insists
Regulatory landscapes are shifting fast, from MiCA in crypto to ESG disclosures in banking. Brands that fail to communicate compliantly risk losing customer trust. A financial marketing agency is important for compliance because it ensures that all communications, campaigns, and content meet strict regulatory requirements while still being engaging and effective. By combining marketing expertise with knowledge of financial regulations, we help brands avoid costly breaches and reputational risks.
#12 Financial Services PR For Attracting Top Talent
It’s not just traders and investors you need to impress, you want to attract the best talent to work with you. 86% of workers say they wouldn’t apply to a company with a bad reputation. Employer branding through PR helps financial firms stand out in a competitive talent market.
Do You Really Need An Agency?
You could undertake PR activity in-house, but here are some compelling reasons why an external PR agency might be a better option:
- Broader Media Access – Agencies already have established relationships with top-tier financial journalists, industry outlets, and influencers.
- Specialist Expertise – Financial PR agencies understand the complex regulations, jargon, and nuances of the industry, ensuring your messaging is both compliant and compelling.
- Fresh Perspective – Unlike in-house teams who can get stuck in the company bubble, agencies bring an outsider’s view to spot real newsworthy angles or potential PR fails.
- Scalability & Flexibility – Agencies can ramp efforts up or down depending on campaigns, launches, or crises, without the fixed overhead of expanding an in-house department.
- Crisis Management – Agencies deal with reputational risks across multiple clients and industries, giving them tested strategies to protect your brand when issues hit.
- Cost Efficiency – Hiring a full senior-level PR team in-house is expensive; an agency gives you access to a whole team of experts for a fraction of the cost.
Looking to shape your PR strategy? Speak to the Contentworks team to get started.