When it comes to managing cardholder credit limits, a proactive approach works best. Extending more credit to deserving members when they need it can help inspire their loyalty, keep them transacting and ensure that your cards remain top-of-wallet over the long term. Here are four ways to be proactive with this:

Tip #1: Track—and  Match—the Competition
Jennifer Kerry, VP/credit card services for CO-OP Financial Services, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., notes that the credit card industry is highly competitive, which means members are receiving new card offers on a frequent basis. To stay competitive, she advises credit unions to review their lending policies on an ongoing basis.

“Credit unions tend to be very conservative when it comes to lending, and this can put them at a disadvantage,” she said. “There are times when it makes sense to relax your credit criteria. Taking a more flexible approach can significantly increase your card portfolio revenue.”

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