More than a third of leaders at banks, credit unions and alternative lenders prioritize growing their portfolios over other concerns, like reducing credit and exam risk, according to a recent survey conducted by Sageworks.

The North Carolina-based financial information company polled more than 1,000 individuals nationwide between July 28 and Aug. 4 about the top priority at their institution. Of those respondents, 38 percent said that growing the portfolio at their institution is leadership’s first concern. Twenty-two percent said that reducing credit and exam risk is their No. 1 priority, while another 21 percent said that diversifying its products and customers was a priority. Eleven percent named improving customer experience as the top concern.

“These results do reflect what bankers should be focusing on, but there are a few other areas that should be focused on as well,” Senior Risk Management Consultant Rob Ashbaugh said in a statement. “Leaders should also make it a priority to manage net interest margin in a low-rate environment and manage risk (market, reputation, etc.) in the new regulatory environment.”

Ashbaugh underscored the importance of understanding the risk in an institution’s market and portfolio, as well as engaging the board in setting an appropriate risk management strategy.