This study examines the role of trust in customer–seller relationships before and after the 2008 financial crisis. On the basis of two surveys
comprising 1155 and 757 bank customers, respectively, it is shown that trust is less likely to mediate the relationship between satisfaction
and loyalty after the financial crisis compared with before the financial crisis. The results suggest that consumers rely more on satisfaction
and less on trust after the financial crisis compared with before the financial crisis when determining whether they should remain loyal to a
particular financial service provider. Hence, as a direct managerial implication, financial service managers should consider investing
additional resources in satisfying their customers in the after crisis era. In addition, it is suggested that managers should seek to rebuild
the positive relationship between trust and loyalty in order to receive the full benefit of their trust-building efforts. Copyright © 2014 John
Wiley & Sons, Ltd.