The Significance and Benefits of Financial Service Uniforms

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Introduction

The twentieth century saw a big change in the banking industry and the way in which they interact with customers, and uniforms were a not so insignificant part of this change. In the first half of the twentieth century, uniforms were not a mainstay of work in financial services as the workforce was largely made up of men, who wore individual smart suits, thus unconsciously adhering to a formal dress code instead. However, even up to the 1960s, banks realized that consumers wanted little to do with them due to the banks’ elitism and unfamiliarity to the working men and women. Even in the early 1970s, only roughly 40% of adults in the United Kingdom held a current account at a bank.

This image needed to change if financial services were to adopt a broader customer base and so banks like Barclays began to make changes to their staff and their appearance. Their push for a more customer-friendly approach involved introducing a position called a “Personal Banker”, and they almost exclusively employed women for this role. The idea was to use stereotypical female traits to soften the appearance of the bank, by presenting caring and amicable staff to customers to deal with their accounts on a more personal level. This role also came with a uniform, for the first time, and for a number of reasons; most prominently, so that the staff could be easily recognizable to customers.

In much the same way that flight attendants were predominantly female in the beginning of commercial flights, and each wore a uniform that made them identifiable and approachable, Personal Bankers were also clothed in workwear that enhanced their feminine features to improve customer perception of the staff and company as a whole. Uniforms were made up of dresses, skirts and flowing blouses, and made the women who wore them feel professional and respectable. Customers felt the same way and the image of banking services changed immensely in the public eye. Men began to wear uniforms in the 1990s, although rebranded as ‘corporate wear’ to distance them from comparison with school uniforms, and the standard financial sector uniforms that we are familiar with today were in full use.

Uniforms show the characteristics of the employee wearing them as well as the culture of the company itself, and formal, smart corporate wear makes an excellent impression on customers in a bank setting. Let’s look at all the benefits of financial service uniforms and what to look for when choosing a uniform for your business.

What are Financial Service Uniforms?

Financial services incorporate a number of different businesses within the finance industry that primarily manage money. This includes, banking corporations, credit unions, building societies, stock brokerages, investment funds and insurance companies, among many others. Each will require similar practical usage from their uniform as well as a formal and professional appearance, however the design itself should be chosen according to the culture and brand image of the company in question.

Clothing items may include:

Suit jackets
Suit dresses
Suit skirts
Suit trousers for both men and women
Blouses
Waistcoat
Belt
Neck scarf

Some financial services opt for a more personable image from their staff to make customers feel more comfortable dealing with their respective financial situations, and employ such clothing items as:

A button down shirt
A pair of pants (most likely khakis)
A fleece vest

In some settings, capsule collections can be beneficial for staff as they permit more freedom of expression. Capsule collections are a condensed version of a clothing line, where there are a number of different options for both tops and bottoms, to enable more choice from the wearer, while also adhering to the same color scheme and general style, to keep a cohesive image. Our clothing greatly defines our personalities, and in some more familial settings, such as family banks in small towns, it can be more appropriate to connect with customers on a more personal level, which can be enhanced by uniform choices. This was shown by the dissatisfaction from Barclays customers in small towns and villages when uniforms were first introduced in the 1970s, as they felt a level of separation between themselves and the staff.

Nowadays, uniforms are more commonplace and customers value the professionalism they promote, so capsule collections are not a necessity for the financial sector, as uniforms themselves hold a number of benefits.

What are the Benefits of Financial Service Uniforms?

Uniforms have an instant impact on customers’ perceptions of an individual as well as the overall company and the values of the brand across all industries, including the financial sector. From dazzling first impressions, to team unity, recognizability, safety and free advertising, the right uniform can really make a difference to customer and staff attitudes alike.

Firts Impressions

While you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, we all know that we are very visual creatures and so first impressions can make a real difference to brand image. If your staff wear their usual clothes in the workplace, they appear disjointed and it’s difficult to know who actually works there and who doesn’t. What’s more, some clothing ensembles may not be entirely appropriate for a work environment, leading to awkward conversations with staff and customers walking away thinking your company doesn’t care about the image it presents to customers.

If you employ a uniform, however, you can create a cohesive and consistent image of your staff and brand. If the uniform is suitably smart and professional for such an environment as a bank, building society or insurance company, where encounters between staff and customers usually cover very serious topics, then the first impression your customers receive will be positive. They will feel that their money is secure and that your company takes its role in financial matters very seriously.

Identifiability

Having a uniform for staff has two great benefits for your company, namely increased safety, and improved customer experience. By dressing all employees in the same uniform, or at least in the same color scheme and style if a capsule collection is preferred, it becomes very simple to identify who works in an establishment and who does not. This increases safety and security for employees and customers as it is evidently clear who should be in certain areas of the building and who shouldn’t, according to the clothes they are wearing. Since the financial sector’s primary concern is management of money, there is always a potential threat that an individual will try to access valuables illegally. This threat can thus be greatly reduced by the use of a uniform.

The use of clearly identifiable security officers also contributes to the safety of staff and clients in such a workplace to boot. To learn more about the importance of security uniforms and their key features, check out our guide to utility and security uniforms now.

Employee Satisfaction

When Barclays first introduced their uniform for women in the 1970s, it was optional, however all the women who worked there chose to wear the uniform. It would be an over exaggeration to say that they preferred the uniform to their own clothes, however, in the workplace, it gave them a strong sense of belonging. This is because at the time, the financial sector was primarily filled with male employees; it was only after the introduction of the Personal Banker, that women were employed in droves. Wearing a uniform then made the women employees feel they not only belonged in the banks due to their professional appearance, but were also equal to the men who worked there.

In the modern era, we know that employees generally prefer a uniform at work as it makes a clear distinction between work life and home life, thus introducing a mindset that they should be professional and productive at work. It also removes the stress of having to decide what to wear to work, as well as showing that all team members are equal as they are dressed the same, rather than risking making individuals feel singled out if they aren’t wearing designer clothing like other individuals, for example. A comfortable and practical uniform shows that a business cares about employee wellbeing, motivating staff and improving their job satisfaction and customer service.

Customer Experience

Since employees are often happier when wearing a smart, comfortable and practical uniform, customers often have a better experience interacting with your company. The professional appearance endues trust in the employee and service so customers are more satisfied with the service overall, however it also improves the customer service of each individual staff member themselves. If staff are happy in their employment and proud of their appearance this will improve their interactions with customers. Visitors who have a positive experience with your company will then go on to promote it to friends and family through anecdotes, as well as potentially to strangers online through positive reviews.

Advertising

If every employee of a business is dressed the same, or at the very least in the same professional style and color scheme with your company logo embroidered or printed in clearly visible places, the brand awareness is increased. The more times a person witnesses your brand’s uniform, they will become increasingly familiar with it and more likely to give you their custom, if they haven’t already.

In addition, a uniform that stands out against its location as well as against competitors, will be more eye-catching and more memorable for those who see it. Therefore, it’s preferable to choose a uniform that is unique in its design and incorporates bright colors so that it stays in the mind of customers and potential customers long after they have left your premises.

What Should You Consider When Choosing a Uniforms?

Like all uniforms, marrying function with aesthetics is crucial to creating a great brand image and keeping staff content. In the area of financial services, the appearance of the uniform itself plays the most important role, however the function should not be disregarded as staff need to be able to perform their tasks to the best of their ability.

Function

Unlike other industries where employees are very active and potentially fighting harsh weather conditions in their line of work, those in the financial service industry require less functions of their uniforms.

Most bank staff, like others in the economic sector, are primarily sitting at desks at work, and occasionally greeting customers at the door and walking with them to take a seat. Therefore, the primary function is for the uniform to be comfortable in a seated and standing position.

Of course, banks are open all year round, so there should be summer and winter uniform options available so that staff can remain at a comfortable temperature regardless of the weather outdoors. As this is mostly achieved through air conditioning and heating, simple layering of clothing is best suited for those working in finance; cardigans, sweater vests and suit jackets are perfectly suitable to keep employees warm through the winter months.

Clothing should of course also be made out of suitable material. It should be soft, flexible and moisture-wicking, so that staff are comfortable, able to move with restriction, and can remain cool and odorless during summer months or in hotter climates.

Aesthetics

Within the area of aesthetics, there are two main, equally important, considerations: color and style.

Color

Within the area of aesthetics, there are two main, equally important, considerations: color and style

For a brand’s uniform to stand out, it needs to have a bright color. That doesn’t mean the whole uniform such as the suit pants, skirt and jacket needs to be bright red to get everyone’s attention, but that certain parts of the uniform should include a bright color. For a professional look, most suits should be simple colors, such as black, navy blue or charcoal gray. However the most important point is that it compliments the company color scheme. If your brand logo is predominantly red and black, then a black pant suit or suit dress with a red shirt or blouse might be a good option to align your uniform with your brand image and keep a professional look whilst also having that bright pop of color to attract your customers’ attention.

Statement pieces are a great way of using color to stand out while maintaining professional appearance. Ties, scarves and belts can all be used, as well as name badges, to promote the company logo’s color on more plain, classic clothing items. If your company logo is already black or blue, or you’re looking for another bright color to compliment your color scheme, it’s important to think about the subtle impressions that different colors make. Red is often a symbol of love, yellow represents luck and happiness, while purple exudes luxury and pale blue is a calming color. Before choosing your uniform design, consider your company culture and values and how best to represent that through your chosen color, and design.

Style

Within the area of aesthetics, there are two main, equally important, considerations: color and style

Brand Awareness and Perception

In the present day, it’s crucial a company cares for their brand image, awareness and perception. Uniforms should be designed to present the company and its staff positively, by showing a neat, stylish and formal appearance, to create a positive brand image. Once the brand image is established, customers need to be aware of it. Color and uniqueness are vital to make your uniform stand out and be instantly recognizable. This is important because customers who are more aware of a brand are more likely to keep using it and potential customers are more likely to start interacting with the company.

A great brand image and awareness can spark growth, but not without excellent brand perception. Your uniform can be used to increase productivity and motivation, which improves customer service. This excellent customer service that your company now delivers will create an amazing customer experience which means the perception of your brand is wonderfully positive. As our friends’ and families’ opinions on products and services means so much to us these days, a great brand perception is the real key to business growth. The power of the right uniform is immense.

How Should You Choose the Uniform Supplier?

The benefits of finding the perfect uniform for your business are innumerable, however the importance of choosing the right uniform manufacturer should not be disregarded. For your uniform supplier to meet your needs, they should be able to exhibit a great deal of experience, especially in the industry of financial services. This will ensure they know the requirements of the function and aesthetic of your uniform, so you can get down to working together on encompassing your brand image into the design.

They should also assign you a dedicated account manager to work closely with your company throughout the process of designing, creating and launching your new uniform. Your uniform manufacturer should be able to understand your exact needs and budget to ensure a swift turnaround, while never compromising on quality. You want communication to be clear and quick so that you too can get the ideal customer experience that your uniform will provide for your own customers.

Conclusion

Creating the perfect uniform isn’t difficult if you have the right manufacturer behind you. With Dress Best, we can assure you that we understand the design and production of financial service uniforms and corporate wear inside out, and we’re committed to providing you the best customer experience. A well-designed uniform can make the difference between an undersold business and a well-known company whose business revenue is increasing exponentially.

Don’t waste any more time, and contact us now so we can help kit out your company with quality clothing.

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