APPRO Systems

Credit unions today compete with traditional and non-traditional lending institutions. In this hyper-competitive financial services market, superior member service and technology must be combined for effective loan decision and funding practices. North Island Credit Union-based in San Diego-has been committed to providing a great experience to their members since 1940. Their choice for a lending system partner is APPRO Systems.

Since 1978, the Baton Rouge-based APPRO Systems has designed, developed and marketed leading edge lending technologies. In 2001, North Island converted to a new host system and to APPRO to support a growing member base and the entry into Member Business Services following a state charter in 2000. Serving nearly 125,000 individuals and member businesses in San Diego, North Island needed a lending system that could grow with the credit union. Bob Campbell, Vice President of Loan Administration and Lending Systems, explained, "One of our credit union peers recommended APPRO and when we saw the size of other institutions and credit card processors that were working with APPRO, we felt confident that we would never have to worry about out-growing their system."

During the course of performing due diligence, Campbell was pleased to discover that references were thrilled with APPRO and their level of client support. He also noted that system functionality was of high importance to the credit union. Satisfied that the system was broad and powerful enough to meet their specifications, North Island decided to move forward with implementing APPRO's popular lending platform-over 400 of North America's leading financial institutions have deployed it. After one week of training at APPRO's headquarters followed by one week of onsite (at the credit union) system setup, configuration, and training, North Island was ready to test the new system. "It was a good fit right from the start" says Campbell, "we all worked together to set the system up correctly from the outset. In fact, we have made only minor changes since we originally installed the platform."

Well designed software that is easy to use and requires no tabbing between numerous screens for data entry allows financial service representatives to concentrate on the member in front of them. As Campbell stated, "We want them to focus on the member-not a complex data entry process-and that is what they do." 

North Island appreciates their automated lending system and has given it a playful name of "Otto D'Cision." The goal at the credit union is to provide a loan decision to members within one hour of submitting their application. Results have been impressive-30% of loan applications are approved in less than 15 seconds and the remaining majority are given a decision within 15 minutes. In the event that an auto decision cannot be made, seven experienced loan officers are ready and able to use APPRO LoanCenter to call up the "review before approve" applications-an opportunity to make the deal happen for the member. 

Technical support and timely system enhancements are critical to ongoing smooth operations. Campbell noted, "When we occasionally call APPRO, they often solve the issue while we are on the line with them." Appro technicians also offer to log on remotely to the system to resolve outstanding work requests. "It is clear that they are concerned about us and our business," said Campbell.