Should I spend nearly $5k to obtain certifications in an industry I am not yet in, but want to get into?

So with my job, I am in a unique position. I have a few years experience in a regulatory entity, with over a year specific to financial services regulation and policymaking. About a year ago, dismayed by my current salary and future salary potential at my employer, began looking for other jobs on the side. My role is most akin to a compliance role in a financial services firm, and out of all the applications I have sent out over the year, I have gotten the furthest with bank compliance roles. This would be great, as my salary would increase by 50-100%, I would receive better benefits (employer pays towards student debt and future tuition, etc) and the role would honestly probably be easier and more streamlined compared to what I do now. I know for sure I can do the role and many of my skills and experience match up.

Notice how I said "have gotten the furthest with" as I haven't been able to seal the deal as of yet. I will provide three brief examples of this. With my first opportunity, I got past the screening and made it to the interview, but was ultimately passed for another individual. This was at a mid-sized credit union with a lot of exposure in my state. My second opportunity I passed on, because the job would've required a move to another state and I was unsure if I wanted to make the move into compliance or instead explore other options. I passed the screening and was invited for the interview, but ultimately passed on it. This was at a well known investment bank, as well.

I am currently going through my third opportunity for a manager role at a regional community bank; I was initially surprised that they got back to me, as they scheduled a video screening the day after I submitted my application, and I don't have actual compliance experience. The next day they asked for a remote video meeting with the head of the department, as the job is about 2 hours away. The interview went well, but right off the bat the head explained they had a more compliance experienced person in mind, but wanted to learn more about my role because what I do is extremely similar. That was yesterday, and while it went well, this position was a long shot in my mind and I am surprised I made it this far. I even explained that I would be willing to obtain certifications before starting to assuage any anxieties over my exposure to the actual duties and responsibilities.

I am starting to realize that my resume and cover letter intrigue employers which gets me in the door, my experience in a familiar role gets me past the screening, but the fact that what I do is similar but not exactly what the role requires is made apparent during the interview.

At this point, making the move into this industry seems to be my best option, and I can actually provide insight into strategies and improve operations. I am considering going full steam ahead into getting industry specific compliance certification(s) so there is concrete evidence that I would know what I am doing. I would be more qualified and feel more comfortable applying for "Senior Analyst" or "Manager" roles.

The issue is that, each certification can cost $1,500 - $2,965, which is a considerable amount of money to me out of pocket. I can't apply traditional student loans for these industry certifications either, so I would either need a private education loan, max out credit cards, save up over the next few months, or get a loan from family.

Given the fact that these employers are already taking me seriously with my current qualifications, is it advisable to pay out of pocket or take a small loan to cover the costs for an industry certification(s)? At the moment I am looking at three options:

1. Obtain a more specific certification from a smaller professional association which would only count towards continuing education credits, not a designation ($1,500)
2. Obtain two certifications, both of which come from the most recognized professional association in the industry, and count towards the most well recognized designation ($4,790 for both)
3. Obtain only one of the aforementioned certifications from (2), which would still count towards the designation but not as much as both combined. ($2,095-$2,695 depending on which one)

It's also important to note that, I could finish any 1 or 2 of these certifications within two weeks because I am already familiar with the subject matter, but less so implementation of strategy. Further, I am holding off on pursuing a certification until I hear back from my current manager opportunity, because they could either provide them for free or give me the industry discount.

Does anyone have experience obtaining industry specific certifications before entering said industry?

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