Power of AI in Commercial Lending
As artificial intelligence continues to demonstrate its value in commercial lending practices, it is essential for financial institutions (FI) to understand its power and potential. The implementation of AI enables FIs to improve decision-making processes, streamline operations and personalize customer experiences. AI not only accelerates and refines processes such as credit decisions for commercial lending but also promotes risk mitigation, trend prediction and the automation of repetitive tasks.
AI also serves as an efficient and accurate tool in ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements such as Section 1071, which requires the collection and reporting of data on credit applications to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Obstacles of inefficient technology
FIs encounter significant difficulties when it comes to managing vast amounts of data. The sheer volume and variety of data, from transaction logs to client information, can create clutter and disorganization. Adhering to strict data regulations adds another layer of difficulty.
Currently, many commercial loan processes can take up to two months for completion. Many institutions are still relying on outdated systems such as Excel, which limits their ability to process and integrate data effectively and efficiently. With data security and privacy being so crucial, these processes get even slower, draining company resources in the process.
Opportunities and benefits of modern systems
AI offers numerous advantages across various sectors. It enhances efficiency by automating repetitive tasks, improves accuracy in data analysis, reduces human error and provides insights for quick decision-making. One of AI’s most attractive features is the ability to quickly process vast amounts of data while discovering patterns and trends that might be overlooked.
Many banks are opting to use AI platforms to streamline the commercial lending process. Recently, Citi invested in AI technology that provided them with these capabilities including chatbots, predictive analytics and fraud monitoring. FIs of all sizes should take advantage of the opportunity to incorporate these initiatives into their stack.
Two of the most advantageous AI features for the commercial lending industry are the automation of routine tasks, such as data entry and document verifications, and advanced data processing. This technology can efficiently handle various data types, whether handwritten or Excel-based, significantly reducing processing times from days to hours. Improved data processing leads to faster credit risk assessments, quicker loan approvals and reduced human error, resulting in better outcomes for all parties involved. Beyond enhancing speed, banks and alternative lenders gain a comprehensive paper trail for audits, which helps identify trends and risk factors for both current clients and potential borrowers. Personalized loan options streamline the borrowing experience, while predictive analysis enables lenders to anticipate future trends based on historical data. Although AI offers numerous advantages, it’s important to remember that AI compliments human efforts rather than replacing them.
Harnessing AI for regulatory compliance
As noted earlier, The Dodd Frank Act in 2010 established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau along with regulations to safeguard consumers and promote fair lending. In Section 1071, the CFPB finalized its implementation rules. To protect small business lenders, the CFPB requires lenders to report on over 20 new data points to ensure transparency in lending practices. The data analytics, automation and insight capabilities of AI enable accurate and easy reporting to the CFPB, saving significant time and reducing errors for FIs.
The power of AI for commercial lending revolutionizes the way FIs facilitate their lending processes. It is enhancing more than just daily operations, with advanced features that transform overall business intelligence. AI is proving to be a useful tool that every FI should be utilizing to achieve high performance and success.
About Author:
Dan O'Malley is the co-founder and CEO of Numerated, the financial technology company making it easy to purchase business banking products from banks and credit unions digitally. He has a unique background in both banking and as an entrepreneur. Dan was Chief Digital Officer of Eastern Bank, currently the largest mutual bank in the U.S., where he led its fintech incubator and developed Numerated’s technology. After growing Eastern’s portfolio 4X into the #1 business lender in Boston, he spun the technology out as an independent company in 2017. Before this, Dan co-founded and was CEO of PerkStreet Financial, growing its annual transaction volume to over $1 billion. He also served as an executive at Capital One, co-founding its payments division and relaunching its cash back credit card.