Leading in today’s dynamic financial environment isn’t easy, even for the most experienced professionals. ampliFI Loyalty Solutions serves as a go-to resource for deep insights on loyalty program effectiveness, cardholder engagement, and innovative practices transforming financial services.
This curated list of our top three blogs of 2025 shares essential trends, strategic takeaways, and actionable advice to help financial institutions build long-term loyalty and drive sustainable growth.
3 Trends Shaping Bank and Credit Union Loyalty in 2025
Our most visited blog highlights three key trends influencing bank and credit union programs in 2025, focusing on the need to meet evolving consumer expectations.
First, financial institutions are broadening their loyalty rewards and redemption options, with Mintel1 noting that 77% of banking consumers value rewards that seamlessly integrate into their daily lives. Equally important is the focus on simplicity within loyalty programs, as overly complex structures can discourage engagement compared to straightforward options. Finally, evolving regulatory requirements demand greater transparency in data collection and clearer communication of program terms, highlighting the need for financial institutions to partner with trusted third-party loyalty providers to effectively adapt and enhance their loyalty program offerings.
Dive deeper into these insights here—your 2026 rewards program could benefit too.
More Than Retention: Using Loyalty Programs to Drive New Account Growth
Account growth for banks and credit unions is evolving beyond traditional interest rates and product features, focusing instead on delivering value from the very first interaction. With increasing competition from fintechs and changing consumer expectations, financial institutions are leveraging loyalty programs not only as retention tools but also as effective strategies for cardholder acquisition and sustainable growth. Loyalty promotions play a critical role in bridging the gap between acquisition and long-term value, encouraging immediate engagement and ongoing loyalty. Additionally, an annual consumer loyalty report from Deloitte2 indicates that loyalty programs can positively influence consumers’ decisions to open new accounts, emphasizing the importance of building trust and meaningful relationships from the outset.
Learn more about driving new account growth through loyalty here.
Personalized Rewards: The Loyalty Strategy That Closes the Innovation Gap
A growing divide is emerging among financial institutions, driven more by innovation than by traditional factors like rates or branch networks. High-performing credit unions are leading through digital-first strategies and fintech collaborations, with 89% offering real-time payments compared to 51% of peers, according to PYMNTS Beyond Points and Perks3. Modernization also extends to cardholder experiences, particularly rewards and loyalty programs, where personalized, relevant rewards and simple redemption processes significantly boost satisfaction and engagement3. As consumer expectations evolve—especially among younger demographics—financial institutions must prioritize real-time, personalized, and easily accessible rewards to stay competitive and foster loyalty.
Read the blog to discover how to meet consumer expectations in loyalty.
Not an ampliFI client yet? Contact our loyalty experts for a free consultation and demo to learn how we can ampliFI cardholder engagement at your financial institution.
Sources:
1Mintel, via iSeatz Mid-2024 Snapshot of Key Trends
22024 Deloitte Consumer Loyalty Expectations Report
3Beyond Points and perks: How relevant benefits drive cardholder engagement. PYMNTS Intelligence.