Lender or Bank Loyalty?

[Kristina Jensen]

Question:  Is there purpose to showing bank or lender loyalty when obtaining additional loans?

I know from the Podcasts and reading these forums that some people enjoy having a relationship with their lender.  My thoughts on loyalty for this reason leave me confused.

My understanding is that banks make decisions on whether or not to loan money based on math (does my salary justify the loan, how much do I pay in other debt, how much am I putting down, etc.) and that the numbers either work, or they don't.  I didn't think that banks have the wiggle room to say "You don't make enough and my software is showing a "NO", but I'll lend you the money anyway, because you seem smart and I've loaned to you in the past!"

I look at bank loans like I do airline tickets:  I go on Kayak/LendingTree/etc. type comparison site and go with the cheapest available.  Can you share your thoughts on the above?  Thanks