Many banks explore proprietary, custom-built credit review software through in-house or third-party resources, but the potential flexibility of this solution can come with considerable costs or drawbacks.
On the surface, a completely customizable, in-house credit review software platform can have the benefit of providing exactly what your loan review group is looking for. But not every bank is equipped with the scope and resources to make this option work best in the long run.
Before proceeding with an in-house credit review software build project, consider these questions:
1. Does your bank have the resources to build and implement your own solution?
The build process will require internal resources, but standard operations must still be able to function effectively.
2. Do you have a comprehensive plan for what the platform will provide?
Developers can’t be expected to fulfill expectations if they don’t have a full, concrete vision of what you want.
3. How long would a solution take to develop and test?
Delays and setbacks are inevitable, so generally it’s best not to rely on best-case estimates.
4. Would your solution be scalable?
Ideally, the solution could accommodate a potential increase in data and users, even on short notice.
5. Do you have the resources for future maintenance, upgrades, and enhancements?
Solutions continually evolve, and your system will need to stay up to date to prevent a repeat cycle of rebuilds and potential security flaws.
6. How likely is it that the builders of your platform will be around in the future to perform fixes and upgrades?
A specialized system requires specialized knowledge, and turnover might leave your bank without the expertise needed. Without this expertise, you might have to start from scratch or reach out to a third party, which means restarting the process.
In addition to exploring these questions, it’s important to accurately estimate the cost of a software build project. Many banks underestimate the true costs by assuming best-case scenarios and overlooking potential complications and hidden long-term costs. The costs of delays, scope creep, and future maintenance easily can cause a software build project to balloon far beyond its original budget.