Essential loan pricing strategies for every lender

A key part of lending is loan pricing, as it directly influences the success of a loan business, the retention of customers, and the potential profitability. If executed effectively, it can lead to significant success for the lender. If done poorly, chances are, it will result in business failure.

Loan pricing is deciding how much interest to charge on a loan. This interest rate isn’t just randomly picked; it’s determined by considering factors like how much it costs for the bank to get the money they lend out, how risky the borrower is, and what the competition in the market looks like. Lenders must think about all these things when deciding on loan rates so they can offer rates that are attractive to borrowers but still bring in enough money to keep their loan business running smoothly and making a profit. This is where loan pricing strategies come in. 

In this article, we’ll look at some factors influencing loan pricing and discuss different strategies for setting loan prices.

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Factors influencing loan pricing strategies

Loan pricing depends on a few key factors, and knowing these factors helps lenders set fair and profitable loan rates. Let’s take a look at some of them:

Cost of funds

This refers to a lender’s expense to obtain the money they lend out. For instance, if a lender borrows money at a certain interest rate or pays interest on deposits, these are costs they need to cover. This directly impacts the interest rates they charge on loans. If the cost of funds is high, they’ll charge higher interest rates to ensure profitability.

Borrower’s credit risk

The borrower’s credit risk is a critical factor in loan pricing. Put simply, if a borrower is seen as more risky in terms of creditworthiness, the lender will likely charge a higher interest rate to compensate for the increased chance of default. Recall that lenders often use credit scores and credit histories to assess a borrower’s credit risk.

Loan term and amount

Another significant aspect impacting loan pricing is the amount and duration of the loan. Generally, larger loans with longer terms tend to carry higher interest rates compared to smaller loans with shorter terms. This disparity arises because larger loans and longer terms pose a heightened risk to the lender. 

Collateral

The presence or absence of collateral also plays a role in shaping a lender’s loan pricing strategy. Loans backed by collateral typically incur lower interest rates than unsecured loans. Collateral serves as a security blanket for the lender in case of default, hence reducing the risk involved. Given that the borrower can incur greater losses in the event of default, the lender perceives less risk and consequently opts for a lower interest rate.

Economic/market conditions

When overall interest rates in the economy are low, lenders find it cheaper to borrow money themselves. So, they’re more willing to lend money to borrowers at lower interest rates because it doesn’t cost them much to get the money they need to lend out. Contrarily, when overall interest rates are high, lenders must pay more to borrow money. In this case, they’re less willing to lend money at lower rates because it costs them more to get the money to lend out. Therefore, they may increase their interest rates on loans to cover their higher borrowing costs.

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Competitive ecosystem

When there’s intense competition among lenders, borrowers have more bargaining power. They can negotiate lower interest rates because lenders want to attract their business. However, when there’s less competition among lenders, borrowers have fewer options, and lenders can set higher interest rates to maximize their profits since borrowers have limited alternatives. In essence, the level of competition shapes the balance of power between lenders and borrowers, impacting the rates at which loans are priced. That’s why Lendsqr advises lenders to find ways to stand out from their competition.

3 loan pricing strategies lenders can adopt to boost profitability

Maximizing profitability while remaining attractive to borrowers is a constant balancing act. Here’s where strategic loan pricing comes into play. Let’s explore 3 key loan pricing strategies lenders can adopt:

Risk-based pricing

Risk-based pricing involves setting interest rates based on the borrower’s risk profile. This strategy helps lenders compensate for the increased risk of default for certain borrowers. For instance, a borrower with a strong credit score and a low debt-to-income ratio might get a lower interest rate than a borrower with a weaker credit score and a higher debt-to-income ratio. This way, lenders can adjust rates to reflect the different levels of risk each borrower presents.

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Tiered pricing

Tiered pricing is a strategy where different interest rates are assigned based on the loan amount. This approach allows lenders to encourage borrowers to take out larger loans, which results in higher overall income for the lender. For example, a lender might offer a lower interest rate for loans exceeding a specific amount, such as N100,000, to motivate customers to borrow more. This way, borrowers get the benefit of a lower rate, while lenders increase their earnings by attracting larger loan amounts.

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Relationship pricing

Relationship pricing is a strategy in which lenders provide preferential interest rates to customers who have established a long-term relationship with their loan business. This approach aims to foster loyalty and deepen the financial relationship between the customer and the lender, thereby increasing customer retention rates. For instance, a returning borrower who frequently refers others to the lender may be rewarded with a lower interest rate or a slashed application fee on their new loan.

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Make them an offer they can’t refuse

Implementing pricing strategies like risk-based pricing, tiered pricing, and relationship pricing can make all the difference. These approaches not only help attract and keep customers but also manage risks effectively. Ultimately, nailing loan pricing is about more than just numbers—it’s about building trust and loyalty and making borrowers an offer they can’t refuse.

So, if you’re in the lending business, focus on fine-tuning your loan pricing strategies. It could be the difference between just getting by and truly thriving. Need help with the best strategy for your business? Send us a message at [email protected], and let’s get you sorted.