Bank marketing outlays steady, ABA survey says.

Industry spending to promote products and services will likely remain stable for 2006, according to ABA's 2006 Bank Marketing Survey.

Bank marketing budgets have been on the rise since 2002, with expenditures peaking at an estimated $10.6 billion in 2005. Marketing expenses this year are

The largest increases in bank marketing budgets have occurred at the smallest banks, reflecting the competitive retail banking environment where community banks rival big banks for customers. Survey results reveal that average marketing expenses for banks with less than $100 million in assets increased by 61.5% from $52,000 per bank in 2003 to $84,300 in 2005.

The survey examines how banks across the country budget for marketing activities and how different promotional mix components contribute to overall marketing performance. The cost of the 2006 Bank Marketing Survey is $400 for ABA members, $800 for non-members. To order the survey, go to http://www.aba.com/Surveys+and+ Statistics/Bunk_Marketing.htm to or call 1-800-BANKERS.