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The inaugural study examines the bank shopping and selection process, as well as customer satisfaction with the account initiation and on-boarding processes.

The study finds that 36 percent of a shopper's selection decision is driven by the bank's brand image, while branch proximity (21%) and products and services (14%) also considerably influence which bank shoppers ultimately choose.

"Some crucial aspects of a bank's brand image--such as perceived financial stability and reliability--can be difficult for a bank to improve, which negatively affect the bank's likelihood of being selected," said Michael Beird, director of the banking practice at J.D. Power and Associates. "However, branch employees can positively impact a bank's brand image by providing personal service, communicating proactively and having a customer-driven focus. These three aspects combined account for 15 percent of importance in the shopping process, which is even greater than the importance of bank products and services."

The study finds that nearly one-third of customers who avoid considering a particular bank altogether do so because of a previous poor service experience with that bank. Other commonly cited reasons for avoiding a particular bank include issues with branch proximity/operating hours, as well as poor policies, such as high rates and fees.

"Many customers who shop for a new bank have had prior exposure to a bank's service as non-customers through experiences such as cashing checks or getting product information," said Beird. "As a result, banks can use visits by non-customers as an opportunity to showcase their services and improve consideration when these customers shop for a new bank."

While customers' personal experiences at a bank can have a considerable effect on that bank's position in the shopping process, the service experiences of other customers are also important. Recommendations--both positive and negative--account for 31 percent of importance weight in a bank's brand awareness, while positive recommendations drive 36 percent of a shopper's consideration of a bank.

"Word of mouth recommendations have the power to influence both awareness and the probability that customers will consider a bank in their shopping process," said Beird.