In auto lending, speed is the difference between closing the deal and losing it. For America First Credit Union, based in Ogden, Utah, faster funding isn’t just a target—it’s a strategy for growth. With $19.35 billion in assets and more than 1.3 million members, America First has made it a mission to fund every dealer loan within 48 hours. Document processing automation (DPA) is helping make that happen by reducing funding times, streamlining workflows, and increasing loan volume without adding staff.
Since implementing DPA, America First has nearly doubled the number of loans funded in one business day. Today, 45% of credit packages are funded on day one, compared with just 23% before automation. The share of loans taking more than 48 hours to fund has fallen sharply, from more than one-third to just 7%.
These time savings translate directly into operational efficiency. By automating routine steps in the funding process, America First has increased output while managing payroll and overhead more effectively. The credit union reduced its loan funding staff by 25%, from 28 to 21 full-time employees, through normal attrition.
Turning complexity into consistency
DPA leverages automated intelligence to apply a series of preset business rules, as well as some lender-specific rules, to evaluate data in the funding package submitted by the dealers. Once that process is complete, the system presents a clean, easy-to-read package to the loan funder, which expedites their functions and reduces the amount of time needed to fund each package. Additionally, DPA enhances accuracy by minimizing human errors that can occur during manual processing. This improved accuracy ensures that the data is consistently reliable, which is crucial for making informed lending decisions. DPA also fulfills quality control functions by identifying forms or documentation that might be missing and alerting lenders to potential discrepancies in the submission package. By catching these issues early, DPA helps prevent costly mistakes and ensures a smoother, more efficient loan processing workflow.
For Megan Olsen, indirect lending manager at America First Credit Union, the benefits go beyond speed. Funding dealer loans across six states means managing multiple document formats and requirements. Before automation, her team often spent valuable time reshuffling and reorienting documents to match internal standards. Now, every package arrives in the same stacking order and orientation, making it easier to review and approve.
DPA also gave America First greater visibility into its internal processes. By automating key steps, the credit union identified and resolved inefficiencies that had previously gone unnoticed—streamlining workflows and improving overall performance.
Efficiency across the industry
The impact of DPA isn’t limited to one credit union. Utah Community Credit Union reports a 30% reduction in processing time, while Sound Credit Union in Washington has cut its average loan processing time in half—from 30 minutes to 15. These measurable improvements have also led to higher employee satisfaction. Teams are spending less time on tedious, repetitive tasks and more time on meaningful work that requires judgment and experience.
A faster, more reliable path to funding
Every minute matters in indirect lending. DPA enables credit unions to process loans faster and maintain consistent quality control—all while creating a smoother experience for auto dealers and members. By reducing errors and turnaround times, credit unions build stronger relationships and position themselves for long-term growth.
Document processing automation isn’t just about keeping up with the pace of the market—it’s about setting it.
For more information about DPA and how it can transform loan processing, contact us today.
