Successful lending strategies of the future are likely to bebased on a mix of high-level technology along with high-touchservicing, according to lending executives and consultants.

An increase in the use of advanced technology in the lendingspace has been trending for years, as demonstrated by a rise in thenumber of consumers served by both banks and credit unions whochoose to interact with their financial institutions online ratherthan at a branch or through a call center.

However, increasingly, the technology that drives lending maydepend more on data analysis than members' ability to fill out aloan application online or the institution's ability to underwriteloans automatically, according to firms that have begun to explorenew avenues in the lending space.