Extreme negativity on banking finances and products show trust meltdown continues

Media analysis on the reputation of the banking industry

January 21, 2014. Davos, Switzerland – With the image of banks at an all-time low, the industry is currently viewed with the same levels of negativity as organized crime, terrorism, and dictatorship, according to new research from Media Tenor International. This level of negativity, unseen in Media Tenor’s 20 years of research across all industries, positions banks as posing a greater societal risk than nuclear power or tobacco, stepping up pressure on regulatory bodies and central banks.

The research, released this week at the World Economic Forum, highlights the critical risks banks face in maintaining their license to operate, while also underscoring the dangers society faces from an untrusted banking sector. The trust meltdown raises questions about how banks can possibly maintain their current client relationships and attract new business with their basic operations under attack by the media, while also suggesting a clear platform for politicians globally.

“Five years out from the global financial crisis, banks have made little progress restoring the trust of consumers and governments,” says Roland Schatz, CEO and founder of Media Tenor. “This is a phenomenon across multiple media markets and has global repercussions well beyond the industry’s financial performance. Without societal faith in responsible banking institutions, everything from corporate innovation to poverty alleviation is at risk.”

Media Tenor’s fifth annual report on the trust meltdown examines the hurdles banks in improving their image from the all-time low they currently face. The report looks at 465,574 reports on 20 international television news programs from 2003 to 2013 as well as tens of thousands of reports in elite business media from around the world.

For over 20 years Media Tenor's mission has been to contribute to objective, diverse and newsworthy news by bringing together the diverse parties who both impact and are affected by the news. Media Tenor's global research projects include analyses of election campaigns, investor relations, public diplomacy, corporate communications and other topics critical to news makers and news audiences.

For more information please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.