Growing your institution’s loan portfolio is both a challenge and an opportunity. With consumers armed with more information and options than ever, waiting for borrowers to show up isn’t enough. Putting the consumer front and center isn’t just a strategy; it’s the key to lasting relationships and real growth.
This blog explores proven, actionable strategies to help you grow your loan portfolio — such as proactively delivering pre-approved offers, adopting an always-on approach and meeting consumers where they are. These methods not only increase loan volume but also build loyalty and help establish your institution as a go-to lending partner.
Insights for Expanding a Credit Union, Financial Institution, and Bank Loan Portfolio
Traditionally, loan marketing relied heavily on timing and interest rates. A HELOC campaign in the spring or a debt-consolidation mailing after the holidays might generate short-term spikes in activity, but these seasonal tactics fall short of delivering the consistent, year-round growth financial institutions need today.
According to TransUnion, originations across the four major tradelines — credit cards, unsecured personal loans, mortgage loans and auto loans — increased in Q2 2025. With interest rates expected to decline from recent record highs, a surge in lending demand is on the horizon. Consumers will turn to financial institutions for the financing they need.
Start by redefining the “potential borrower” as anyone pre-qualified for a loan, regardless of their current borrowing intentions. Engage them immediately and meaningfully. Proactively delivering pre-approved offers ensures you’re ready to meet their needs when the time is right.
By shifting from traditional, product-centric marketing to dynamic, consumer-focused strategies, you can unlock sustainable loan growth. Understand your consumers’ needs, compliantly deliver relevant offers when and where they’re most likely to respond and position your institution as a trusted partner. Execute this well, and you’ll not only stand out in a competitive market but also build a loan portfolio that grows steadily and sustainably.
Top Strategies to Grow a Loan Portfolio in a Competitive Market
To effectively compete and grow, you need a strategy that meets consumers where they are, whenever they need you. Traditional loan marketing with its predetermined schedules often misses the mark. It doesn’t align with the specific needs or timelines of individual consumers. Here are three powerful strategies to rethink your approach and drive sustainable loan growth.
Build Confidence with Personalized, Data-Driven Loan Offers
Empower your customers by offering loan options that align with their needs. Instead of trying to predict when a specific loan need will arise, focus on delivering a consistent message: “We’re here to help.” Data and analytics are the keys to competing in today’s market. Financial institutions that use proactive, data-driven marketing strategies to perpetually engage prospects and customers across multiple channels are steps ahead in the purchasing process.
When account holders are notified that they pre-qualify for a loan, it can build confidence and reduce the uncertainty often associated with the borrowing process. This approach not only removes barriers but also positions your institution as a trusted and supportive partner in their financial journey.
Adopt an Always-On Multichannel Approach
Today’s on-the-go consumer demands timely access to products and information. An “always-on,” 24/7/365 strategy ensures your loan offers are available for consumers to accept anytime, anywhere. This means reaching them through the channels where they’re most likely to respond, whether that’s email, websites, in-branch or even partner dealerships. By offering this flexibility and being present in their preferred channels, you increase engagement and make it easier for consumers to take action when the time is right.
Don’t Forget About the User Experience
In a digital-first world, making it easy for consumers to do business with you is essential. Unless a financial institution can open a new account or complete a new loan application in less than five minutes, the potential for the consumer to abandon the transaction can increase to as much as 60% or more.
Conversely, faster account openings have been shown to reduce abandonment rates down to 25% or less. In other words, if you can streamline account opening, you can double or triple the number of new relationships. In addition, 73% of borrowers were willing to pay extra for instant loan access, with instant loan disbursements accounting for 44% of consumer loans in early 2024.
Prioritizing a superior user experience means removing barriers and making the process simple and stress-free. When consumers feel supported and confident in their borrowing journey, they are less likely to turn to another institution to meet their financial needs.
How the Vericast Loan Acquisition and Retention Helps Lenders Grow Their Loan Portfolio
Implementing a modern acquisition and retention strategy requires the right solution. Vericast can help financial institutions meet the challenges of today’s market head-on. As Jack Henry points out, driving deposit and loan growth is a top strategic priority for forward-thinking bank and credit union CEOs in 2025 and 2026. Vericast can enhance your financial institution’s long-term success by helping you increase account acquisitions, deepen customer relationships and, thereby, fortify your balance sheet.
We utilize proprietary data analytics and advanced modeling to compliantly identify prospects matching your ideal customer profile, engaging them through highly personalized, creatively compelling offers and proven messaging in the channels where they are most likely to respond. Offering pre-approved loan options at the right time can drive engagement and position your institution as the go-to lender for borrowers’ financial needs.
Partner with Vericast to Accelerate Loan Growth
Growing your loan portfolio today requires moving beyond seasonal campaigns. Success hinges on adopting a proactive, data-driven loan acquisition and retention strategy that is always on and available across multiple channels. Offering pre-approved loans with a focus on simplicity and convenience can help turn non-shoppers into borrowers. With Vericast, you’ll reach credit-worthy customers with the right offer at the right time — positioning your institution as a trusted financial partner.
Get started today. Partner with Vericast to grow your loan portfolio and unlock your loan acquisition potential.
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The demand for consumer lending is set to surge. Consumers, eager to secure financing, will increasingly turn to banks, credit unions, and other lending options. Now is the time for financial institutions to prepare their marketing strategies to capture these imminent lending opportunities with a variety of outreach strategies.
A bank with a multi-state branch network was looking to increase loan volume, so it utilized Vericast’s Shopper Alert trigger-based preapproval program.
Kirtland Credit Union wanted to showcase their loan products to eligible members in an effort to increase their loan portfolio. They have been seeing over 5 years of success.