Q&A with Channing Peebles: How One Community Banker Keeps Social Media Compliant, Creative, and Consistent
Managing social media for a 27-branch community bank with a two-person marketing team isn’t for the faint of heart, but Channing Peebles, Marketing Specialist at The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia, makes it look effortless. From to-do lists to Canva hacks, she’s found a rhythm that works. We sat down with Channing to talk about everything from content strategy to compliance, and how Bank Monitor supports their success behind the scenes.
From Fundraisers to Facebook: A Marketing Journey with Heart
Can you share a bit about how you landed in this role as Marketing Specialist?
I majored in Integrated Marketing Communications at Ole Miss, but after graduating, I actually ended up working in nonprofits—mainly doing fundraising and event planning. I didn’t get to use my marketing degree as much as I’d hoped.
Ironically, it was during an event I planned in Philadelphia that I reconnected with Jackie from the bank. I’m from Philly originally, but I live about 45 minutes away in Meridian. Jackie and I have known each other forever—her daughter and my mom are friends. At the event, she mentioned that the person in my current role was moving, and she needed to find someone. It truly felt like a “God thing” because I was really unhappy at my job at the time. I applied, interviewed, and now I’ve been here for almost six years!
Juggling Social Media, Events, and Everything in Between
You juggle so many different tasks, from social media to event planning! How do you manage to keep it all balanced, especially with social media needing so much real-time attention?
To-do lists are my secret weapon. I write everything down—if it’s not written, it’s forgotten! I also rely heavily on my calendar to track deadlines. Facebook’s scheduling tool is a lifesaver, especially with content constantly coming in from our 27 branches. Whether it’s community photos or a campaign that needs to go out at month’s end, I schedule everything in advance so nothing gets lost in the shuffle. Time management is key in marketing—things can change in a second, so you have to be flexible but organized.
Social Media Strategy and Success
You’re crushing it on social media. With nearly 14,000 followers and over 10,000 post interactions in just 28 days, you’re clearly doing something right! What tactics work best for engagement?
We do a mix—contests, links to bank products, and a lot of employee encouragement to like and share posts. With almost 300 employees, that kind of internal engagement really boosts our reach.
Are there themes your audience really responds to—like community events or employee spotlights?
Absolutely. Our customers love seeing their communities represented. I try to think about what I’d want to see—my best friend’s aunt at the park, or someone I know being recognized at work. In a world full of ads and clickbait, seeing real people on your bank’s social media is refreshing. That’s what makes community banks so special.
Navigating Compliance with Confidence
With banking’s unique compliance requirements, do you need approval for social content?
For community-focused posts, I usually don’t need approval. But if it’s product-related, I definitely have multiple people review it to make sure everything’s compliant.
How do you stay on top of compliance while keeping up your pace?
That’s where Bank Monitor comes in. It’s such a relief to know that we’re covered from a compliance standpoint. The tool captures, tracks, and monitors our social media content, flagging anything that might be risky. We already had a partnership with Agora Eversole, so working with Jill and using Bank Monitor just made perfect sense. It’s been such a blessing—if we’re ever audited, we’re ready.
Staying Organized and Creative
You’re producing polished, engaging content consistently. What’s your system?
We’re lucky to have a great agency partner in Agora Eversole who helps with design and content, but I also love Canva. It’s so easy and fun to use—and perfect when I need to whip up a clean, branded post quickly. If I’m ever stuck creatively, I’ll even turn to ChatGPT to help with captions or brainstorming.
What platforms or tools help you stay efficient?
I use Meta’s tools to knock out Facebook and Instagram scheduling in one go. I don’t post as much on LinkedIn or X, but when I do, it’s usually more formal—like promotions or recognitions.
Advice for Other Community Bank Marketers
For community banks looking to boost their social media game, where should they start?
Know your audience. For us, Facebook is where our customers are, so we focus there. Consistency is huge—even if it’s a light post like “National Pie Day” or celebrating employees’ kids graduating, just showing up regularly makes a difference.
Also, know your goals. There are a lot of “Citizens” banks out there, so we put a strong focus on brand awareness to make sure people recognize us.
For banks without a big team, any tips on making an impact with limited resources?
There are just two of us on the marketing team, so I get it! I invite everyone I know to follow our pages. I even go back through our post likes to see who’s not following yet and invite them—it sounds small, but it works.
Looking Ahead: New Projects and Big Ideas
What’s next for you and The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia’s social media?
We’ve just launched a new marketing committee with bankers from different departments and regions. It’s already proving to be such a valuable resource—we all bring different perspectives based on the markets we serve. I’m excited to collaborate more, test new ideas, and continue making sure our content reflects the heart of our communities.
At Spring Media Solutions, we’re honored to support community bankers like Channing Peebles with tools that make a difference. Bank Monitor was built specifically for banks like The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia, because when you’re balancing real-time content, regulatory expectations, and small teams, you deserve a compliance partner who truly understands your world. We also work closely with AgoraEversole, a trusted bank marketing agency, to ensure our community bank clients have the creative support, strategy, and compliance tools they need to thrive.
Want to see Channing’s work in action?
Follow The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to explore how a true community bank shows up online with heart, consistency, and creativity. You can also connect directly with Channing Peebles on LinkedIn to follow more of her marketing journey and insights.
Strengthen Your Social Media Compliance with BANK MONITOR
If you’re interested in taking your social media compliance efforts to the next level, BANK MONITOR was designed specifically with community banks in mind. It’s a comprehensive solution for tracking, managing, and safeguarding your social media presence, aligning every post with regulatory expectations.
Want to see how Bank Monitor can support your bank’s compliance program?
We’d love to talk.
📞 Call us at 318-243-1076
📧 Email jill@springmediasolutions.com or monte@springmediasolutions.com
📝 Or request a free consultation to get started