Design Tips for a Bank Annual Report (including Financial Institutions)

An effective finance or bank annual report design should include clear financial data visualisation, strategic narrative highlighting key achievements and future goals, and brand-consistent visual elements that enhance readability. The financial section must present complex information through accessible charts, tables and infographics that tell a coherent story about the institution’s performance.

Zap Creative is one of the UK leaders in designing annual reports for financial institutions including:

• Asset management firms
• Brokerage firms
• Commercial and investment banks
• Credit brokers
• Insurance companies
• Mortgage companies and mortgage lenders
• Pension funds and pension advisor companies
• Private equity firms

The most successful financial organisation and bank annual reports strike a balance between comprehensive content with compelling design to engage the read whilst conveying the key financial data. They incorporate sustainability commitments, governance structures and risk management approaches alongside the required financial statements, creating a holistic view of the organisation’s position and prospects.

If you are a bank for example, here’s just a few things you will need to include in the design.

The bank profile section establishes credibility by showcasing the institution’s identity, financial standing, leadership, and organisational structure.

This foundational information helps stakeholders understand the bank’s position and performance at a glance.

A well-design annual report in the finance sector should always start with a clear and bold statement of the institution’s mission and vision. The mission statement should explain the purpose of the company and include core values that guide the business and decision-making processes.

The vision statement outlines the bank’s long-term aspirations and strategic direction, typically looking 5 to 10 years ahead. Together, these statements communicate what the financial institution stands for and where it aims to go.

Including both statements demonstrates to shareholders and customers that the bank or company operates with purpose and foresight. This subsection should also highlight how the activities align with these guiding principles, showing consistency between stated values and actual practices.

This subsection presents key performance indicators that illustrate the company’s financial health and growth trajectory. Data should be presented in easily digestible formats using tables and charts.

Comparative figures from previous years help demonstrate performance trends. A brief narrative should accompany these figures, explaining significant changes or achievements.

For maximum impact, visualise data with simple charts highlighting positive trends. This approach transforms complex financial information into accessible insights for all stakeholders, including those without financial expertise.

This subsection introduces the leadership responsible for the bank’s governance and operations. It should feature key executives and board members with brief professional backgrounds that establish their credibility and expertise.

The chairman and CEO profiles deserve particular attention when designing the layout of the bank’s annual report. It’s where you can highlight their vision and strategic contributions. Including a simplified organisational chart can help readers understand reporting structures and areas of responsibility.

Key elements to include:

• Names and positions of board members
• Tenure information
• Relevant experience and qualifications
• Committee memberships
• Executive leadership team composition

Photos of key leaders personalise the financial institution and build trust with stakeholders. This information reinforces the bank’s governance framework and demonstrates the calibre of leadership guiding the institution.

If you decide to work with Zap Creative as a design agency for your bank’s annual report, this is how we work:

We start with a workshop to define your goals, audience, tone, and brand. Together, we clarify direction, assign roles, and gather inspiration – setting the strategic groundwork.

Our team develops bold design concepts tailored to your financial institution or bank, giving you a clear visual direction that reflects your story with confidence.

Once approved, we design every page – blending layouts, infographics, and images for a cohesive, visually engaging report.

We fine-tune the report based on your feedback, perfecting every detail to ensure it’s the best it can be.

From proofing to pre-press, we handle every step to deliver flawless artwork – whether for print, digital, or both.