Contact:
Melissa Beltrame, Marketing Director
mbeltrame@lead.bank
Jenny Kincaid Julian, Socialworx PR
(816) 550.4382 | jenny@socialworxpr.com
30,000 votes determined winners for their excellence in website,
digital experience, creativity, design, user experience and functionality
(KANSAS CITY, MO) April 2019 Today, Sitefinity, the leading provider of application development and digital experience technologies, announced that Lead Bank, Kansas City’s leader in financial technology and small business advocate, won the Progress Sitefinity 2018 Financial Website of the Year. Each year, the awards recognize websites powered by Progress Sitefinity for creativity, design, user experience, functionality, and overall website presentation.
As the financial industry evolves, banks must adapt with technology in order to stay relevant. Understanding this thought process, Lead Bank’s obtained ZIV, Let’s ZIV, to create their new website. Their site only needed to reflect the Bank’s financial expertise and highlight their innovative approach to community banking, but also share the Bank's vision and mission. This year, 39 websites developed using Progress Sitefinity were nominated across 13 categories: Multisite, E-commerce, Financial Services, Healthcare, Education, Public Sector, Manufacturing, Services, Technology, Associations & Non-Profit, Sports & Entertainment, Travel & Tourism, and Graphic Design.
The 2018 Website of the Year Awards winners were selected in two phases; a Progress judging panel shortlisted the three best websites per category and then voting was opened to the community. Finalists with the highest number of votes were appointed the category winners. "One of the most important things a business can have, especially a bank, is a well-designed and functional website that meets the demands of each of their clients. The Lead Bank team craved a content-rich site, one that would allow us to tell meaningful stories and generate a valuable brand experience," said Melissa Beltrame, Chief Marketing Officer.
To be as successful online as they have been in person, Lead Bank needed to be able to offer an enhanced user experience by providing bi-lingual translation, an updated mobile experience, an integrated Live Chat option so clients can connect directly with Bankers when and where they want, an increased intuitive navigation (proven from user testing), and be ADA compliant. Other critical elements of the website were to include an enhanced brand color palette using richer hues, real client photos vs. stock images, upgraded content with personalization based on user preferences and needs, live social media feeds, stories and videos. The site also needed a different content management system to better serve their clients.
"Ziv's creative approach to building successful client relationships through website experiences aligned with our values. Lead Bank is passionate about creating relationships and connecting with people in our community and our website needed that level of personalization. We’re also proud to support a locally owned female-led technology company from our area," Beltrame added.
About Lead Bank
For 90 years, Lead Bank has remained a strong, independent commercial bank dedicated to delivering smart financial solutions for business owners, managers, and their families and communities. With locations in Garden City, Lee’s Summit and now the Kansas City Crossroads, Lead Bank continues to provide treasury management, lending services, and personal client products. The new flagship location in Kansas City’s dynamic KC Crossroads District introduces clients to a new “era of banking.” Lead Bank is the 2018 recipient of the prestigious Mr. K Award, named after the late Ewing M. Kauffman. This award goes to companies who have shown growth and sustainability of their business, positive company culture and a record for giving back to the community. For additional information, call (816) 220.8600 or visit http://www.lead.bank/.
About Progress Sitefinity
Progress Sitefinity is a leading web experience management solution that empowers organizations with the ability to manage content and customer interactions across all channels and touchpoints throughout the customer journey. With capabilities like multisite and multilingual capabilities, and AI analytics to refine content development, personalization, and journey optimization, this highly extensible solution enables organizations to deliver more effective web experiences, faster and more efficiently. Today, Sitefinity powers 10,000 enterprise websites worldwide across various industries – from financial and government services to communications, retail, and entertainment.