The 13 most interesting investment banks on Twitter right now

9 March 2016

4 minute read

The 13 most interesting investment banks on Twitter right now

As a finance professional, you’re unlikely to while away your day on Twitter – banks' firewalls will prevent this for a start – but if you can spend some time there it’s worth it.

An increasing number of traders and bankers are starting accounts, usually anonymously and often accessed through their smart phones, so it’s a good way to find out about market intelligence and to meet your peers.

But what about the banks themselves? Predictably, many were late to the game and – at first – most Twitter accounts were stolid devices for pumping out corporate messages. Forays into more inactive Tweets have not gone well - a Twitter Q&A organised by J.P. Morgan in 2013 resulted in a tirade of abuse. Has this changed?

Well, according to social media analytics firm, Klout, large investment banks are big influencers on Twitter. They have hundreds of thousands of followers and are viewed as ‘experts’ on issues as diverse as careers or dance. Banks' Twitter accounts still primarily toe the corporate line, however, even if there's evidence that it's becoming a more interactive and important tool. These are the best banks on Twitter now.

1. Goldman Sachs

Influence score: 90

Areas of ‘expertise’: Asset Management, Banking, Business News, Brazil

Followers: 481k

Evidence of social savviness:

Congratulating Kylie:

Congratulations to the happy couple, @kylieminogue. Love the Backdrop. cc @PrincesTrust https://t.co/MmmZVpG4bI https://t.co/SDeFympcPC

— Goldman Sachs (@GoldmanSachs) February 22, 2016

2. Bank of America

Influence score: 89 Areas of ‘expertise’: Aaliyah, Atlanta, Banking, Business, Dance Followers: 434k Evidence of social savviness: Retweeting something mentioning Vice:

Business of Life @Vice gives people the resources they need to make the right financial decisions https://t.co/BWsXhoBVcS — Anne Finucane (@AnneFinucane) February 29, 2016

=3. Morgan Stanley

Influence score: 87

Areas of ‘expertise’: Asset Management, Banking, Business, China, Citigroup)

Followers: 296k

Highlighting genuinely interesting employees:

How #MorganStanley's Carla Harris Found Success in Both Banking & Music via @FortuneMagazine https://t.co/jMoGoddkfw pic.twitter.com/ebOkxwwkqK

— Morgan Stanley (@MorganStanley) March 1, 2016

=3. Deutsche Bank

Influence score: 87 Areas of ‘expertise’: Banking, Business, Economics, China, Europe, Forex) Followers: 428k Evidence of social savviness: Using Twitter for brainteasers:

=3. Credit Suisse

Influence score: 87 Areas of ‘expertise’: Asset Management, Banking, Business, Financial Services Followers: 194k Evidence of social savviness: Hashtagging fintech, the secret to a Twitter buzz...

"New York City has all the ingredients for a booming #Fintech sector" https://t.co/4ZqO0vY45v — Credit Suisse (@CreditSuisse) February 29, 2016

Areas of ‘expertise’: Asset management, Banking, Careers

Followers: 192k

Evidence of social savviness:

Following only nine people, and shouting out to influencers (who are admittedly on the payroll):

Happy birthday to the Nobel Prize-winning economist @paulkrugman! #NobelPerspectives shows what he thinks about economics and politics.

— UBS (@UBS) February 28, 2016

6. UBS:

Influence score: 86 Areas of ‘expertise’: Asset management, Banking, Careers Followers: 192k

Evidence of social savviness:

Bigging up an influencer (albeit one on the payroll)

Happy birthday to the Nobel Prize-winning economist @paulkrugman! #NobelPerspectives shows what he thinks about economics and politics.

— UBS (@UBS) February 28, 2016

7. Royal Bank of Scotland

Influence score: 80 Areas of ‘expertise’: Banking, business, Careers, Debt, Economics Followers: 36.5k Evidence of social savviness: RBS uses Twitter largely for self-promotion, but has retweeted some worthy causes:

In Biggar, taking part in the final leg of London to Edinburgh for @sportrelief with @rbsgroup #sportrelief pic.twitter.com/vlXUGJNbyj — Mark Beaumont (@MrMarkBeaumont) September 18, 2015

8. Société Générale

Influence score: 78 Areas of ‘expertise’: Asset Management, Banking, Finance, Entrepreneurship Followers: 32.3k Evidence of social savviness: Amusing photos of early French rugby players:

Un peu d'histoire avec le 1er #PDGFRA et les pionniers du #XVdeFrance en 1928 https://t.co/7GsjynaIVO #TeamSpirit pic.twitter.com/8Wd9NGvzEo

— Société Générale (@SocieteGenerale) February 26, 2016

9. Citi

Influence score: 74 Areas of ‘expertise’: Banking, China, Credit cards, Davos Followers: 800k Evidence of social savviness: Keeping the Citi choir going long after the BBC cameras have gone:

Good luck to the #CitiUKChoir taking part in the final of Office Choir of the Year 2016 in #London tonight! #ocoty pic.twitter.com/hRMSEMH6gl
— Citi (@Citi) February 10, 2016