Market conditions are a contributor to the number of loan applications that you receive, but ultimately, your staff and solutions are what make a great lending partnership between members and your credit union. There are several factors within your control that can help your lending process become more efficient, effective, and successful. Here are 10 factors to consider when refining your credit union's lending process.

Roughly 12 million Americans, or 2.5 million U.S. households used at least one payday loan last year. This equates to an alarming 1 in 50 Americans, which is why the payday loan industry exceeds $50B in the US alone. Most often these loans are originated to assist with individuals looking for a short-term option to help them meet their monthly financial obligation. While the industry touts these loans as a solution to unexpected or emergency expenses, 70% of borrowers who use them are doing so for their regular recurring expenses, such as rent. Recognizing that these loans are needed, but wanting to avoid the stigma that this industry carries (commonly referred to as predatory payday lenders), with their extremely high interest rates and abysmal default rates, many credit unions have designed lending programs to compete with payday lending in an effort to meet their member's demands, while keeping the credit union motto of helping others in mind. And now, the NCUA Board is proposing to amend the NCUA’s general lending rule to provide Federal credit unions with additional options to offer Payday Alternative Loans (PALs) with PALs II.

While marijuana legalization varies tremendously state to state, all evidence points to an increasingly mainstream adoption of medical marijuana across the US, with over half of the union (30 states) legalizing its use for medicinal purposes. However, with such inconsistent attitudes and varying legalities, those people looking to cash in on the industry are struggling to find the resources and financing they need. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo thinks it's high time we take measures to help these businesses out. 

Digital lending has been available to credit unions for quite some time, but with new emerging technologies and the fast-paced nature of consumer lending, it’s more important than ever that digital lending offers members more than a paperless process. Members, especially Millennials, not only want, but expect a quick application, and even faster decisions. A recent PwC report found that three of the four demographic groups polled in their study would rather be online for each phase of the borrowing process as opposed to more tradition channels, ie. in-branch or over the phone. The best way to customize the application and decisioning process while meeting the requirements of your CU is through digital lending technology, making it more efficient for both members and staff. Here are 4 benefits of digital lending.

There is a constant flow of outlandish stories pouring out of American universities. Kids who can't figure out how to cook an egg, sew a button, or "adult" in any way. Parents who are calling college professors defending their kid's sub-par mid-term efforts because the kid called them crying. These "helicopter parents" have tried so hard to protect their children from the big, bad modern world, that they've handicapped their growth and independent success to an embarrassing level. Are Credit Union leaders doing the same thing to their members?

We were recently featured on CUInsight for our article, Non-Traditional Lending Can Lead to a Healthy Member Focus. In the article, Fred Dalit, CEO of the Hawaii-based Honea Federal Credit Union was highlighted for his unique view of member saving and lending. Honea FCU members, in general, save heavily and tend to avoid taking out loans. This created a paradox for the CU: After all, financial institutions were created to lend money, and interest income is typically their main source of revenue. This drove the credit union to seek out participation lending on a national level, and in turn provide member services that are tailored to the makeup of the member base. Dalit is a big proponent of participation lending and has used the program at his credit union to generate income they were otherwise lacking, thus using the funds to focus on his members' savings habits.  

https://flexcutech.com/products/operations/The ultimate key to success lies in an equation:

Income > Expenses = Success

While there is always a human element to consider, there is a lot of science and math in running a credit union. Sometimes we need to look at the fundamental facts for answers to complex problems. You need to improve processes so your credit union operations run efficiently, because inefficiencies cost you money. While credit unions are known for their human focus, now and then we need to get back to the known variables to determine the unknown ones, and find a solution. Let us show you how to apply the scientific method to improving your credit union member experience. 

The new Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) accounting standard for banks and credit unions of all sizes is set to go into effect in 2020 for SEC registrants, and 2021 for all other banks and CUs. The new standards in credit union regulations are going to be both a blessing and a curse for many small to mid-sized credit unions. Now more than ever, CUs are sitting on mounds of data about their members and accounts, but many struggle not only finding the data from disparate sources, but also in making sense and gaining actionable insights from it. The reporting required to comply with the new standards may pose a challenge to CUs, but is also an opportunity to finally put that data to good use. Harnessing data is no longer an option for the C-Suite. These new requirements can be used as a spring board to develop a competitive advantage in credit union lending.

A credit union loan officer's position with members is unique. Members are reliant upon the loan officers approval for needed funding, whether it be for a boat, home, car, or small business loan. Yet, much of the information loan officers use is reliant upon the member's credit history. Credit reports receive a lot of attention, but many members still don't understand some of the basic factors that impact their credit score. These items ultimately impact your ability to approve and process their loan in your credit union lending software. Ideally, your Loan Origination Software should automatically import credit report obligations, making the process simple for loan officers. However, as the loan officer role evolves into a trusted financial advisor, educating your members on the basics of credit reports and credit bureau terminology is a great first step in helping them understand the process and where they can make an impact on their credit score. Here are 25 terms from Experian's extensive glossary of basic credit union bureau jargon: