Redesigning Loans: 85% Fewer Errors, 40% Faster
How I helped a private bank replace Excel chaos with a scalable, accurate, and collaborative loan management platform.
We launched the redesigned platform in just 180 days — and it immediately made a difference. Manual data errors dropped by 85%, loan processing time improved by 40%, and the system successfully handled 200+ loan orders in the first two months alone. Post-launch surveys showed 80% user satisfaction, with teams reporting faster collaboration, better visibility, and higher trust in the platform.
“It’s finally a system I can trust. I don’t have to double-check every entry anymore.”
— Investment Manager
We initially built an “everything-at-once” search tool — filters, logic trees, nested categories. Power users ignored it. Everyone else got lost.
Fix: Inspired by Bloomberg’s search model, I simplified it into a predictive, category-based system with smart defaults and real-time results. Filters now appear contextually as users interact.
“Search feels like a command center now — not a puzzle.”
— Loan Officer
Why it failed:
The original Add Order flow was built like a static form — every field visible at once, no clear progression, and no guidance. It overwhelmed users and created confusion. Errors only showed after submission, and required fields were hidden until too late.
Fix:
We rebuilt the experience as a guided, interactive workflow:
Actions remained disabled until a lender was selected, reducing premature input errors. Related fields were grouped logically, with real-time validation and contextual help improving accuracy. Comments and totals were always visible, giving users clarity and confidence throughout.
“The new flow actually makes sense now. It feels like building an order — not filling out a survey.”
— Internal Loan Specialist
I wasn’t designing a product just to “look better.” I was designing confidence into every interaction.
Here’s how that showed up:
AI-powered predictive search helps users instantly locate deals, borrowers, or investors — with real-time feedback and minimal input.
Dynamic loan order management allows users to edit limits, track totals, and collaborate on complex financial entries with ease.
Built-in commenting and collaboration eliminates the need for external tools or email threads. Everyone sees the same data, in the same place, at the same time.
Compliance is never an afterthought — validation, user roles, audit trails, and history logs are built into the workflow, not bolted on later.
Every design decision had a single goal:
👉 Give users speed without sacrificing trust.
| Old Excel Workflow | New Loan Platform |
|---|---|
| Manual data entry | Automated workflows with input validation |
| Email + spreadsheet silos | In-app collaboration with real-time comments |
| No audit trail | Full visual history and logging |
| Static views | Dynamic cards + grid-based layouts |
| No search | AI-powered predictive search |
Performance: Sub-2s load time for key workflows
Accessibility: WCAG 2.1 AA compliant
Device Support: Optimized for desktop and tablet
Integrations: CRM, compliance systems, internal messaging
Browser Support: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge (latest 2 versions)
Involving users early helped validate the real problems
Iterating quickly uncovered hidden friction points
Borrowing mental models from tools like Bloomberg eased adoption
Resistance to abandoning Excel habits
UI complexity around financial data
Strict regulatory and compliance constraints
This wasn’t just a design refresh. It was a foundational shift.
By focusing on trust, collaboration, and clarity, I helped transform a fragile, error-prone workflow into a scalable, resilient system — one that users don’t just tolerate, but actually enjoy using.
Real UX isn’t about making things pretty.
It’s about making things perform — for people and the business.
