Lending & Credit Risk Commercial Lending Loan Origination System

3Rivers Federal Credit Union empowers commercial lenders to focus on members with Abrigo

Asset size

$3 billion

Product

Abrigo Commerical Lending

Financial institution type

Credit union

As 3Rivers Federal Credit Union expanded its commercial lending operation, the team needed a more efficient and consistent way to manage loan workflows, documentation, and communication. By expanding its use of the Abrigo Lending Platform, the credit union replaced manual processes with a centralized platform that improved visibility, standardized workflows, and reduced administrative work. The result is a more efficient lending operation that allows employees to spend less time on process management and more time serving members.

Read the highlights below or download the full case study to hear more about 3Rivers Federal Credit Union's Abrigo experience.

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The challenge: Managing growth with manual processes

Like many credit unions, 3Rivers’ commercial lending portfolio accounts for a smaller share of its overall portfolio, but it is among the institution’s most complex business lines. The Business Services department manages commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate relationships, renewals, and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

When AVP of Commercial Lending Kristin Smith joined 3Rivers in 2016, the Business Services team was using Abrigo primarily for financial spreading. Many other processes relied on spreadsheets, text documents, and email communications. As the department grew, those manual processes created challenges around workflow visibility, consistency, and collaboration.

The need for centralized processes became even more apparent as remote and hybrid work environments became more common. The team wanted a better way to manage loan workflows while ensuring employees spent their time on higher-value activities rather than repetitive administrative work.

“There definitely could be other products out there, but I’ve talked to a lot of banking partners, and it seems that what we have is definitely the Cadillac of loan origination platforms."

Krisitn Smith, AVP of Commercial Lending

The solution: Centralized workflows and smarter automation

3Rivers significantly expanded its use of Abrigo’s commercial lending solution, bringing more technology into its commercial lending operation. The platform provided a centralized environment for loan origination, documentation, communication, and workflow management. Team members gained visibility into where loans were in the process, who owned the next step, and what information was still needed to move transactions forward.

“Now it allows us to have streamlined reporting and workflows,” Smith said. “We log on and know exactly where a loan is at, whose hands it is in, and what the team is waiting on.”

The solution also helped standardize templates, communications, and workflow processes across the department. This consistency improved collaboration and supported the credit union’s commitment to treating members fairly throughout the lending process.

The result: Greater consistency, visibility, and member service

Abrigo Commercial Lending helps 3Rivers maintain consistency across its commercial lending operation while providing managers with greater visibility into workflow performance and potential bottlenecks. The platform also helps the credit union deliver faster service to members.

“When you think about it, it’s security for the member,” Smith said. “It’s faster, it’s more efficient. The software can read tax returns and spit out a decision immediately. And that’s what you want when you are working with a member. Who wants to wait two weeks to find out if you can buy a house? The house will be gone. You can’t do that. Our members needed that pre-approval yesterday.”

For 3Rivers, being the fastest is the difference between keeping their business strong and losing out to the competition. And that operational efficiency ultimately translates into a better member experience.