Nivo has launched an AI case coordination platform aimed at helping specialist lenders process intermediary applications more efficiently, from the initial broker enquiry through to underwriting and completion.

The new Lender Collect service is available to bridging, specialist property, commercial and asset finance lenders, with the technology designed to automate much of the administrative work associated with complex lending cases.

It extends the technology behind Nivo Collect, which is already used by more than 15 brokers, to the lender side of the mortgage and specialist finance market.

Nivo believes that reducing the time spent collecting documents, checking information and chasing outstanding requirements could help specialist lenders improve their service to intermediaries while increasing the number of applications handled by existing underwriting teams.

AUTOMATING SPECIALIST LENDING APPLICATIONS

Lender Collect processes incoming broker emails and attachments, identifying key transaction details such as the loan amount, purpose, term, security and proposed exit strategy.

The AI then assesses the information against the lender’s own product criteria, highlighting potential issues, requesting clarification and identifying alternative products within the lender’s range where appropriate.

For specialist lending applications, where documentation requirements can vary considerably according to the borrower, property and transaction structure, the service coordinates requests for evidence from the relevant parties.

It checks submitted documents for completeness and consistency, populates application forms, arranges signatures and sends reminders where information remains outstanding.

Additional functions include company reports, identity verification and optional politically exposed person, sanctions and adverse media screening.

The platform also tracks responsibilities across brokers, applicants, guarantors, solicitors and valuers, identifying outstanding tasks and escalating cases where progress has stalled.

UNDERWRITING REMAINS WITH THE LENDER

Before a case reaches underwriting, the system checks the available evidence against the lender’s criteria and policies, identifying discrepancies and requesting further information where necessary.

It then prepares an editable underwriting report using the lender’s existing template, bringing together the transaction details, supporting documentation, calculations and any issues requiring consideration.

Underwriters retain responsibility for reviewing the report, assessing exceptions and making lending decisions. The AI cannot approve applications or waive requirements.

Following a decision, Lender Collect converts outstanding lending conditions into requests for documents, forms and signatures, monitoring progress towards completion.

The service can operate around the clock, allowing brokers and borrowers to respond to requests outside normal office hours.

Michael Common, chief executive of Nivo, said: “Every intermediated lender runs the same process: a query comes in, evidence is gathered, an underwriter decides, and the conditions are worked through to completion.

“The lenders that win are the ones that are fastest and easiest for brokers to deal with.

“Lender Collect answers in minutes rather than days, at any hour, using the lender’s own criteria and documents. That is a conversion play as much as an efficiency play.”

Common added: “Nivo Collect showed brokers what an AI assistant can do with the gather, check and chase. Lender Collect brings that to the other side of the deal.

“Underwriters open a draft report built from checked evidence, with the decision firmly theirs. Nothing is approved, waived or decided by the AI.”

INTEGRATION WITH EXISTING LENDER SYSTEMS

Lenders can configure Lender Collect using their existing product guides, lending criteria, application forms, operating procedures and underwriting report templates.

Once configured, cases can be initiated through a single broker email, while integration with existing loan origination and customer relationship management systems is available through APIs and webhooks.

Nivo holds ISO 27001, ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 42001 certifications, as well as Cyber Essentials Plus, DIATF certification as an identity orchestrator and FSQS registration.

The company says the platform incorporates encrypted data handling, an audit trail and controls preventing customer information from being used to train the underlying AI models.