Specialist lender Together has launched a new mobile phone app for its commercial loan customers.

Together has partnered with Nivo, creators of the instant messaging and data sharing platform, which can be downloaded and used by clients up to the point of funding.

It uses secure messaging technology which allows the lender’s staff to speak to customers in a text-like conversation on their smartphones , cutting processing times and improving completion timescales.

Together will use the system to securely request sensitive documents needed to underwrite applications. They can all be kept in one place and information can be sent to customers on the progress of their applications, all the way to funding.

The app is initially for the lender’s commercial direct clients but is expected to be rolled out to personal finance customers in the next few weeks. The lender is also exploring ways intermediaries can use the platform and is expected to make an announcement about this in the new year.

Catherine O’Brien, growth and development manager at Together, said: “This is a brilliant innovation and something we’ve been working on with Nivo to make sure that it really minimises the case processing time and effort for Together’s customers.

“The app has some fantastic built-in features, such as electronic application forms, to make it easier for our customers to send us the documents we need to approve their commercial loan applications. It also means our colleagues can send customers a message at the click of a button, providing a quicker, easier and more secure way of us communicating with them.”

Customers will receive real-time notifications, with the platform notifying them when there is a conversation waiting in the inbox or a new document has been sent. The app also uses automated bots and messaging, allowing Together to automatically send documents and other customer information out-of-hours, speeding up the process.

Polly Taylor-Pullen, business development at Nivo, added: “We’re excited supporting our partner, Together, in driving innovation quickly and effectively across the business. Nivo was able to deliver the secure, branded app within two weeks and we can already see that customers are returning documents much quicker, with applications being processed in record time.

“The streamlined process means staff are able to process more applications, and most importantly, customers are delighted with the ease of service. I look forward to our continued partnership with Together as we deliver more technology improvements in the months to come.”