In a strategic move set to reshape the financial services marketing landscape, Princeton Partners Group, a management and holding company for independent marketing agencies, has acquired a majority ownership stake in Stackpole, an award-winning brand advertising agency known for its deep roots in community banking and financial institutions.

Now operating as Stackpole – Princeton Partners Group, the agency will continue under its existing leadership while benefiting from enhanced marketing strategy, data analytics, and performance capabilities. This partnership brings together creativity, data intelligence, and sector expertise to help community banks modernize and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

1. Strengthening Creative and Strategic Capabilities

Stackpole has long been a trusted name in financial services branding. Under the new ownership, its legacy team will work alongside Princeton Partners Group’s planning and analytics experts, enhancing its ability to serve banks and credit unions seeking scalable, ROI-focused marketing solutions.

“By combining our creative strengths with Princeton Partners Group’s marketing planning sophistication and data-driven performance expertise, we’re ready to deliver predictable ROI and redefine what’s possible for financial services marketing,” said Pete Stackpole, President of Stackpole.

2. Industry Insight: The Time for Digital Innovation Is Now

This acquisition aligns perfectly with current industry demands. According to a 2025 annual pulse survey of 250 community bankers:

• 62% plan to invest in products supporting ongoing digital innovation.

• 57% are expanding use of integrated solutions with open APIs.

• 53% are evaluating tech based on support for open banking ecosystems.

These stats reveal a clear mandate: community banks must innovate to survive and thrive. But many institutions lack the internal capacity to manage this transformation alone.

3. Empowering Banks with “Digital First” Brand Strategies

Stackpole – Princeton Partners Group will now help community banks:

• Establish digitally-led brand strategies targeting next-gen customers.

• Launch performance marketing campaigns for measurable growth.

• Execute creative brand discovery workshops and M&A communication plans.

From Gen Z to Gen Alpha, today’s banking customer expects seamless digital experiences, authentic branding, and real-time personalization. The new agency model supports this shift by aligning brand storytelling with precision performance marketing.

4. A Future-Focused Approach to Financial Marketing

“Community Banks seeking long-term growth leveraging financial technology solutions require data-driven insights and performance marketing capable of driving short-term sales activation,” said Tom Sullivan, Chairman of Princeton Partners Group.

He added, “They also need brand-building strategies that can be systematically deployed, measured, and optimized. We’re committed to assisting our clients in repositioning their brands for the next generation of banking customers.”

With this acquisition, Princeton Partners Group is making a bold move to redefine financial services marketing—not just through integration of services, but by delivering agile, scalable solutions that empower institutions to stay ahead of consumer trends and tech innovation.

The merger of Stackpole’s award-winning creative legacy with Princeton Partners Group’s strategic and performance-driven approach sets a new standard for financial services marketing. As community banks double down on digital transformation, Stackpole – Princeton Partners Group is well-positioned to lead the charge in building future-ready brands that engage today’s consumers—and tomorrow’s.