New payment protection product helps lenders mitigate costs and risk while attracting borrowers and strengthening loan portfolios

MADISON, Wis., July 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Speed and convenience are even more critical to consumer lending with more and more people turning to digital channels to access critical capital. To address this market trend, TruStage, a financially strong insurance, investment and technology provider has partnered with leading bank consultancy, Cornerstone Advisors, to develop a new whitepaper, "Improving Online Lending Profitability With Embedded Payment Insurance," available for free download here.  

With approximately $102 billion in U.S. consumer debt currently delinquent due to unemployment and disability, digital lenders and fintechs are actively developing new lending solutions to meet consumer demand and grant greater access to credit to previously marginalized borrowers without taking on additional risk.

While traditional credit insurance products have been a key facet of lending for decades, there is a growing need for new approaches specifically designed to support the evolving digital lending landscape. Though often necessary, the complexities that many traditional offerings can introduce to the loan process can add friction, hindering the simple, fast and convenient interactions today's modern digital consumers require and expect. By making loan payment insurance a component of the loan, digital lenders are overcoming this challenge in a risk responsible way that protects consumers from the negative effects of unforeseen financial or medical hardships.

Some key points addressed in the whitepaper include:

• The benefits of payment insurance for borrowers;
• The impact that embedded loan payment insurance can have on a lender's loan portfolio;
• How embedded loan payment insurance works; and
• Current real-world examples of embedded loan payment insurance.

In developing the whitepaper, Cornerstone Advisors created a five-year financial model that analyzes the effects of providing digital loan payment insurance on a portfolio of personal loans. The model compares an assumed cost for personal loan charge-offs to various scenarios where loan insurance is implemented and outlines the expected savings a lender can realize in charge-off costs related to covered job losses and disability.

"Many lenders can achieve a 20% reduction in charge-off costs with loan payment protection. A growth-focused lender can save $42 in charge-off costs for every $1 in insurance premiums¹," said Ron Shevlin, Chief Research Officer at Cornerstone Advisors and author of the white paper.

"We see embedded payment insurance as a critical component of a successful digital lending strategy," said Danielle Sesko, TruStage Director, Product Management. "For borrowers, it is a proven way to provide a financial backstop in case of unplanned job loss or disability and for lenders, it provides an effective way to manage risk while expanding access to credit to more U.S. consumers."

¹ Conerstone Advisors, Improving Online Lending Profitability with Embedded Payment Insurance, June 2024

About TruStage 
TruStage^™ is a financially strong insurance, investment and technology provider, built on the philosophy of people helping people. We believe a brighter financial future should be accessible to everyone, and our products and solutions help people confidently make financial decisions that work for them at every stage of life. With a culture rooted and focused on creating a more equitable society and financial system, we are deeply committed to giving back to our communities to improve the lives of those we serve. For more information, visit www.trustage.com.

TruStage™ Payment Guard Insurance is underwritten by CUMIS Specialty Insurance Company, Inc. CUMIS Specialty Insurance Company, our excess and surplus lines carrier, underwrites coverages that are not available in the admitted market. Product and features may vary and not be available in all states. Certain eligibility requirements, conditions, and exclusions may apply. Please refer to the Group Policy for a full explanation of the terms. The insurance offered is not a deposit, and is not federally insured, sold or guaranteed by any financial institution. Corporate Headquarters 5910 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705. ©TruStage 

PGI-6744701.1-0624-0726

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SOURCE TruStage