How to Increase Loan Growth in Banks: A Quickstart Guide

In a nutshell 🥥 Institutions figuring our how to increase bank loans can boost growth by using appointment scheduling tools that connect high-intent customers with the right experts at the right time. These tools reduce missed opportunities, improve staff preparedness, and provide data to optimize operations and marketing. The impact is clear: the right banking software can result in an 8.5% increase in loan pull-through rates, $1.6M in added profit over three years, and shorter appointment times. Credit unions like CU SoCal and Kemba have seen double-digit loan growth after implementation.

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How to Increase Lending in Banks: A Priority for Profit-First Banks

Loan Growth is consistently a top priority for banks and credit unions. There are many foundational strategies that banks employ to stimulate increased loan growth—from promotional offers to marketing campaigns.

But there’s more work to do, and more technological solutions to implement, in order for financial institutions to drive lending opportunities with new and existing customers.

Below, we’ll unpack 3 strategies for implementing solutions in your bank or credit union that can drive loan growth, the data to back it from a Forrester study, and examples of the success that financial institutions are seeing.

1. Capture High-Intent Customers at the Right Moment

Loan opportunities often come down to timing. When a customer is ready to take action—whether it’s a personal loan, auto financing, or a mortgage—you need to be ready too. That means having the right expert available in the right channel to convert that intent into action.

With appointment scheduling tools, you can:

Make it easy for customers to book time with a loan expert: This can be offered directly through your website, online banking platform, mobile app, or in-branch kiosks.

Minimize lost opportunities: Route referrals from greeters, tellers, and contact centers to the right specialist quickly.

Offer after-hours options: Offer 24/7 scheduling, so customers can book appointments even outside of business hours.

Optimize queue management: Send automated confirmations and reminders to reduce no-shows and improve conversion rates.

By meeting customers in the moments that matter most, you not only create a better experience but also increase the likelihood that a loan application turns into a funded loan.

2. Empower Your Staff to Become Loan Growth Ambassadors

Your team plays a pivotal role in loan growth—but they need the right tools and insights to deliver a seamless and productive customer experience. Appointment scheduling solutions give staff visibility into their day and their customers so they can prepare, personalize, and perform.

Key capabilities include:

• Sending pre-appointment reminders that prompt customers to bring required documentation, reducing unnecessary follow-ups.
• Giving staff a full view of their daily schedule—who’s coming in, what products they’re interested in, and what their needs are.
• Collecting relevant customer data during the booking process (either online or via an in-branch queue) to tailor product recommendations and conversations accordingly.

With better preparation, your staff can turn every appointment into a meaningful interaction that builds trust and drives results.

3. Leverage Data to Optimize Resources and Maximize Impact

Data is one of the most valuable assets in today’s banking landscape. Appointment scheduling tools provide actionable insights that can help you understand demand, manage resources, and measure performance.

Here’s how smarter data drives loan growth:

• Identify peak times, high-demand services, and expert availability to allocate staff more efficiently.
• Enable staff to serve customers across multiple locations virtually, ensuring better coverage for in-demand loan products.
• Monitor staff workload and availability to reduce wait times and prevent bottlenecks.
• Track which calls to action and marketing efforts are generating appointments—and ultimately, loans.

This data-driven approach helps you continuously refine your strategy to capture more demand and improve customer satisfaction.

Real Loan Growth Results from Financial Institutions Like Yours

The impact of appointment scheduling is not just theoretical—it’s backed by real results.

According to a Forrester TEI study commissioned by Coconut Software:

• Loan pull-through rates increased by 8.5%, and mortgage pull-through rates by 1%.
• Financial institutions saw $1.6 million in additional profit from loans and mortgages over three years.
• The number of loans and mortgages funded increased by 1,200 and 95, respectively.
• Staff saved time too, with a 10-minute reduction in appointment handle time.

And the results are echoed by Coconut customers:

• Credit Union of Southern California increased funded loans by 12% after implementing appointment scheduling. “If someone walks in, there’s a 48% chance they’ll apply. But if they book an appointment, they come prepared—and the odds rise by 12%,” says Aaron Young, SVP of Retail Operations. “That gets me excited. It makes me wonder, ‘How do I get more people to use appointments?’”
  
• Kemba Credit Union saw a 13% increase in loan production, proving how impactful these solutions can be when aligned with team workflows and customer journeys.

Operational Efficiency: The Hidden Engine Behind Loan Growth

Improving operational efficiency isn’t just about reducing costs or increasing output—it’s also a powerful way to unlock loan growth. When your internal processes run smoothly, your staff are better positioned to engage customers at the right time, with the right information, and through the right channels. This streamlined experience builds trust and drives more successful loan conversions.

Make Access to Experts Effortless

One key area of opportunity is simplifying how customers access your loan experts. Whether it’s booking an in-person meeting, a video consultation, or a phone call, offering flexible and convenient options helps reduce friction in the customer journey. When it’s easier to get help, more people follow through.

Use Data to Work Smarter, Not Harder

Data is another driver of operational efficiency that directly influences loan growth. When institutions have visibility into branch activity, appointment volumes, and staff utilization, they can make smarter decisions—like reallocating staff based on demand, offering virtual support during peak hours, or adjusting marketing efforts to target high-performing channels. These insights allow institutions to respond faster to customer needs and ensure no opportunity goes untapped.

Expand Reach with Remote Service Options

Finally, remote and hybrid service options—like secure video banking—extend your reach and accessibility. Customers who can’t visit a branch in person can still engage in meaningful loan conversations, without compromising convenience or compliance. That added accessibility removes barriers and boosts the likelihood of loan engagement and completion.

Together, these operational improvements create a better experience for customers and a more productive environment for staff—paving the way for consistent, scalable loan growth.

The Impact of Loan-Growth Software on your Financial Institution

The findings of the Coconut Software TEI study highlight the following profit-first benefit for financial institutions :

• An 8.5% increase in pull-through rates for loans and 1% increase for mortgages
• $1.6M in additional profit from loans and mortgages sold over three years
• 1,200 additional loans and 95 additional mortgages sold
• 10 min reduction in handle time for loan-related appointments

How do these numbers sound? Here are a few examples of the success that our customers have seen:

•  The Credit Union of Southern California increased funded loans by 12%. The team at CU SoCal finds that if someone walks into the branch for a loan, there’s a 48% chance they’ll follow through and apply for a loan. But if they book an appointment, they come prepared, and the odds of those loans being funded rise by 12%. “That gets me excited,” says Aaron Young, SVP Retail Operation at CU SoCal. “It makes me wonder, ‘How do I get more people to use appointments?”
• Kemba Credit Union saw a 13% increase in loan production after implementing Coconut.

Choose Software that Supports in your Bank’s Loan Growth Targets

If you’re looking to turn more opportunities into outcomes, now is the time to take action. Appointment scheduling is more than a convenience—it’s a strategic growth tool that empowers your team, enhances the customer experience, and drives measurable business results.

Ready to learn more?  Read the full study or Speak to an expert now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an appointment scheduling software?

Appointment scheduling software = a technological solution that empowers customers/members to book meetings with the right advisor at the right time. They also aid in reducing bank lobby wait times, and improving operational efficiency. It helps banks optimize staffing by forecasting demand and ensuring the right employees are available when needed. Many modern scheduling systems integrate with video banking, CRM platforms, and queue management systems that provide better customer experiences. It also empowers advisors with information and data that help them be better prepared for appointments, and following up after a meeting.

How does operational efficiency impact loan growth?

When your team is equipped with the right tools and insights, they can respond to loan inquiries faster, serve more customers, and deliver a smoother experience—leading to more completed loan applications.

What tools support operational efficiency in lending?

Solutions like appointment scheduling, staff utilization analytics, and virtual consultations help streamline workflows, reduce bottlenecks, and capture more high-intent loan opportunities.

How do you reduce long lines at bank branches

Appointment scheduling and lobby management software allows customers to reserve time with the right expert, reducing walk-ins and spreading out demand throughout the day—cutting down on wait times.

What is hybrid banking?

Hybrid banking combines in-person, digital, and remote experiences—giving customers the flexibility to interact with your institution however and whenever they prefer. It supports bank deposit growth and loan growth for financial institutions by providing more touchpoints and opportunities for capturing new business.

How does a bank’s omnichannel strategy support in loan growth?

Omnichannel banking strategies keep the customer experience consistent and personalized, no matter how they engage with you, increasing satisfaction, trust, and conversions. Streamlined onboarding, personalized product recommendations during appointments, and omnichannel visibility all contribute to loan growth—and deposit growth.