Lower interest rates are sparking renewed activity in the lending market, creating a golden opportunity for financial institutions to implement effective loan growth strategies for banks to connect with borrowers. With rates at their lowest level in three years, consumers are actively seeking financing for major life goals — whether it’s buying a new car, consolidating credit card debt or starting a long-awaited home renovation. Even homeowners are benefiting, with lower mortgage rates helping them save money through refinancing or to gain more buying power.
And the momentum isn’t slowing down. As TransUnion reports, originations for mortgages, home equity, auto and personal loans grew last year and are expected to rise even further through 2026. A customer-centric financial marketing strategy empowers banks and credit unions to capitalize on this surge in lending activity and connect with borrowers in meaningful ways.
Lenders who can deliver personalized, timely offers are in the best position to stand out, build trust and win loyal account holders. By leaning into bold, data-driven strategies and future-focused marketing, financial institutions can turn this surge in demand into long-term growth — helping customers feel understood, valued and connected to your brand.
Smart Strategies for Personalized Loan Growth in 2026
Loan growth strategies for banks should go beyond simply offering loans. Account holders today want a partner who helps them navigate life’s challenges and feel confident in their financial journey. By focusing on what matters most to your customers and members, you’re not only meeting their needs but also driving sustainable growth for your institution.
Personalized loan offers and data-informed communications not only help consumers make confident decisions, but they also differentiate your financial institution as a trusted partner. You want your approach to be personalized and relevant, using tools that help consumers understand their options and achieve long-term goals. Banks and credit unions can stand out by building trust through transparency, offering data-driven insights and delivering value-driven products when customers need them most.
Recommend Loan Products That Simplify Customers’ Lives
Use data-driven insights to recommend loan products that truly meet your account holder’ needs. According to a Harris Poll, 74% of respondents want more personalized banking services, and 66% support data-driven offers from their financial institutions. By matching customers and members with highly relevant, personalized loan offers, you not only increase loan acquisition but also build trust and loyalty, deepening the connection with your account holders and your brand.
Adopt an Always-On Loan Marketing Approach
Stay top of mind by maintaining a consistent, always-on marketing presence. You can’t out-predict when a loan need is coming, but the message should always be there: “We’re here to help.” Traditional loan marketing often follows set schedules, but this approach can miss opportunities to connect with customers and members when they’re actively looking for solutions.
Vericast data shows that always-on campaigns — those running 150+ days — deliver nearly 4x higher response rates and about 40% lower Cost Per Acquisition compared to shorter campaigns. An always-on marketing approach is one of the most effective loan growth strategies for banks, ensuring your institution stays top of mind as a trusted financial partner.
Be There When Customers Are Searching for Loans
Target “in-market” customers with timely, preapproved offers. Trigger-based loan acquisition is one of the most impactful loan growth strategies for banks, allowing institutions to connect with customers and members at the right moment with prescreened, FCRA-compliant personalized loan offers. Using alerts from all three credit bureaus can provide up to 75% more coverage, enabling you to deliver timely, personalized offers through the channels your customers prefer.
Meet Customers Where They Are
Adopt an always-on, omnichannel approach. Today’s consumers expect flexibility and convenience. Communicating with them through multiple channels, including email, digital, mobile, direct mail and connected TV, is a proven method of increasing loan acquisition and driving revenue. By offering seamless, intuitive experiences, you can increase engagement and build stronger account holder customer relationships.
Streamline the User Experience
Simplify the lending process to reduce friction and improve completion rates. A quick, frictionless lending process is a must-have. Research shows that nearly 30% of applicants abandon online financial applications due to overly complicated processes. Simplifying the application process is essential for minimizing friction, delivering a seamless personalized loan experience and retaining stronger relationships with account holders.
Building a Future-Ready Financial Marketing Strategy
Compliance is not just about adhering to regulations; it’s about safeguarding a bank’s future in a rapidly changing world. As regulations evolve, a critical component of loan growth strategies for banks is embedding compliance into their marketing strategies to minimize risks and ensure long-term growth.
Every time a marketing program launches, it must be compliant. Financial institutions should work closely with legal and compliance teams and ensure their marketing partners have a deep understanding of compliance protocols. Partners with dedicated legal resources and expertise in financial marketing can help institutions align their campaigns with regulations while maintaining speed to market.
At Vericast, we’ve made significant investments in our compliance-forward approach by partnering with market experts to get a holistic view of the market, ensuring that our acquisition strategies are both effective and compliant.
By making compliance a cornerstone of your financial marketing strategy, you’re not only protecting your institution but also building trust with your customers and members. Financial institutions that make compliance a strategic priority will be better equipped to thrive in an increasingly complex and regulated environment.
Turn Interest Into Action With Personalized Loan Offers
Today’s borrowers have more personalized loan options than ever before. Multiple channels and a myriad of borrowing choices mean financial institutions must work harder to stand out. Success hinges on understanding consumer needs and delivering tailored solutions that add real value when it matters most.
Despite economic uncertainty, the outlook for lending remains strong. Customers and members are looking for more than just a loan — they want a financial partner who helps them manage their finances with confidence. A strong financial marketing strategy combines data-driven insights with personalized solutions, empowering account holders to take the next steps towards their financial goals while building lasting trust.
At Vericast, we go beyond traditional marketing to help financial institutions engage credit-worthy customers with the right offer at the right time. With advanced data insights, financial institutions can deliver tailored solutions that meet customers’ unique needs, while supporting holistic lending strategies that fit the enterprise-wide picture. This future-ready strategy ensures account holders feel understood and supported at every step — driving higher engagement, boosting conversions and laying the foundation for stronger, lasting relationships.
Contact us today to learn how Vericast can help unlock your loan acquisition potential and deliver meaningful results.
