Case Study
Pacific Northwest Credit union

Pacific Northwest Credit Federal Credit Union

“It really streamlines the process and is much more convenient for everybody involved.”

Diane Calvin
SVP/Chief Lending Officer, Pacific NW Federal Credit Union

83% Reduction
In Draw Turn Time

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Introduction:

Pacific NW Federal Credit Union is on a mission to be a ‘Financial Partner for Life’ for their valued members. To meet growing demand for construction loans and provide an outstanding member and builder experience throughout the building process, Pacific NW Federal Credit Union wanted to step away from slow, manual tasks and the use of spreadsheets to manage the draw disbursement process. They recognized the best way to increase their workflow efficiency was to digitize their process with an end-to-end software solution.

They recognized the best way to increase their workflow efficiency was to digitize their process with an end-to-end software solution.

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The Solution

By utilizing Land Gorilla’s software platform, draw management, and inspections, Pacific NW Federal Credit Union quickly streamlined their process and significantly reduced draw turn times, while providing an exceptional experience for members and builders.

“We have seen growth through new business since builders are referring us to their buyers,” said Diane Calvin, SVP/Chief Lending Officer, Pacific NW Federal Credit Union. “What has really helped us is showing our builders that we improved their process, give them time back, support them, which in turn we receive more member referrals.”

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Draw Management

Pacific NW Federal Credit Union has streamlined their draw operations with Land Gorilla’s software platform. This has resulted in much faster disbursement turn times, processes that scale with their growing volume, and a superior experience for their members and builders.

Prior to Land Gorilla, draw requests were managed through the usage of spreadsheets. “It was a very manual process,” said Calvin.

They had a multi-step process across different solutions to manage draws. Draw information was received in different formats from various builders. Budgets were manually entered into spreadsheets, line item by line item. “We had to update the spreadsheet every time there was a draw because the information was different each time,” continued Calvin. “Then, we emailed it back to the builder to show them their summary.”

With Land Gorilla, the Pacific NW Federal Credit Union team can view all draws, in the same format, all in one place. This allows for an easier review process and quicker decision making for approval.

“It’s an efficiency factor for us – we don’t have to go looking in folders in our shared drive when a draw is received,” said Calvin. “It really streamlines the process and is much more convenient for everybody involved.”

On average the draw process took 10-12 days from when a draw request was received to funding. Now, with Land Gorilla, Pacific NW Federal Credit Union can fund draws as early as two days.

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Land Gorilla Mobile App | OneSite

Pacific NW Federal Credit Union has also implemented the use of OneSite, a mobile and web application that allows builders to submit draw requests. Builders can easily access the budget of record, upload documents, and communicate with Pacific NW Federal Credit Union, anywhere and anytime. It eliminates the risk of data entry errors, inaccurate budgets, and over funded draws.

“Our builders love OneSite,” said Calvin. “They like the fact that they submit a draw, communicate with us, and upload documents all on one app. Even the one-person independent builder found it very, very easy to use.”

“The majority of our builders use the mobile app,” Calvin continued. “They love the fact that they can submit a draw on the go, anytime. It’s on their phone and with just a tap of a few buttons, their draw request is submitted.”

Before OneSite, builders had to manually fill out a draw request form, upload the document, and email it to the Pacific NW Federal Credit Union team. On average, this process took 3 hours. Then, once a draw was approved, a team member would call the builder to inform them that the draw was approved and disbursement was on its way.

Today, with OneSite, builders can complete and submit a draw request in a few minutes and receive instant notifications when their draw is approved.

“They love the fact that they can submit a draw on the go, anytime. It’s on their phone and with just a tap of a few buttons, their draw request is submitted.”

Diane Calvin
SVP/Chief Lending Officer, Pacific NW Federal Credit Union

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Inspection Services

Pacific NW Federal Credit Union partnered with Land Gorilla to streamline the process of ordering and receiving inspection reports. Land Gorilla’s inspection services provides a network of over 14,000 inspection companies and independent fee inspectors nationwide, providing consistent and quality-controlled reports with industry-leading SLAs.

Previously, Pacific NW Federal Credit Union had a multi-step process across different systems to order an inspection. “We had to log into yet another system to order an inspection and provide at least two phone numbers and an email for the contact,” said Calvin.

If the inspector didn’t hear back from the builder, Pacific NW Federal Credit Union was in the middle of these communications which resulted in unnecessary back and forth and consumed time.

“We received many emails from inspectors about ‘we can’t get a hold of your builder’ or ‘we can’t schedule the inspection’ and a lot of times they didn’t have anyone in the area to inspect,” said Calvin.

“Now with Land Gorilla, we know that inspections will be scheduled and completed within our expected timeframe,” she added. “We get the notification through the Land Gorilla platform that the inspection is available to view. The quality of reports that Land Gorilla provides is great!”

“We get the notification through the Land Gorilla platform that the inspection is available to view. The quality of reports that Land Gorilla provides is great!”

Diane Calvin
SVP/Chief Lending Officer, Pacific NW Federal Credit Union

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Remote Inspections

Land Gorilla’s remote inspections are essential for hard to reach areas where available inspectors are limited or non-existent. They are completed with live streaming video to authenticate location, verify identities, and validate progress in real-time.

Before Land Gorilla, Pacific NW Federal Credit Union utilized a third-party vendor who had limited capabilities, especially in rural areas. This resulted in higher inspection fees due to the distance the inspector had to travel to these areas.

“Finding an inspector who’s available was part of the challenge,” said Calvin. “Now with remote inspections, we know that once a draw is submitted by the builder, we order the inspection and it’s instantaneous that the order is assigned out and the remote inspection is set up.”

Pacific NW Federal Credit Union has branches in rural areas such as Hood River. This was previously a challenge because it was difficult for them to find inspectors in the area.

“Land Gorilla’s remote inspections have been great for us!” said Calvin. “The remote inspection option we have for this area is fantastic because they’re reliable and available. We’ve had such a good experience that we are converting rural counties in both Oregon and Washington on the Columbia River Gorge into remote inspections.”

“Now with remote inspections, we know that once a draw is submitted by the builder, we order the inspection and it’s instantaneous that the order is assigned out and the remote inspection is set up.”

Diane Calvin
SVP/Chief Lending Officer, Pacific NW Federal Credit Union

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Fully Integrated Inspection Reports

In their previous processes, after receiving the inspection report, Pacific NW Federal Credit Union had to sort and match inspection photos to each report. “We had to login to a different platform and download a separate folder,” said Calvin. “We would view the inspection report on one screen, and cross reference it with the draw request and budget on the other screen. We waited on average 10 days for an inspection to come back. Then, we would have to review everything and compare it to the budget. It didn’t have the nice summary tables that Land Gorilla provides.”

Now, with inspection services, reports are received in 2 to 3 days. In Land Gorilla’s platform, reports for both on-site and remote inspections are fully integrated with the draw request. Pacific NW Federal Credit Union’s team can easily review inspection information and photos directly within a draw container, eliminating the need to sort through multiple pages and external resources.

“I love the line item comments we get back with the inspections,” continued Calvin. “It’s very helpful because it gives me a full understanding of work completed. For example, when building materials have been paid for by the builder, it’s important you know every detail to make an exception and advance those funds. We didn’t have this level of insight with our prior process.”

Prior to Land Gorilla, it used to take 3 days to fund the draw once an inspection report was received. Now Pacific NW Federal Credit Union can fund the draw the same day the inspection is received.

“It’s very helpful because it gives me a full understanding of work completed.”

Diane Calvin
SVP/Chief Lending Officer, Pacific NW Federal Credit Union

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Pacific Northwest Credit Federal Credit Union

Results

After utilizing Land Gorilla’s technology and services, Pacific NW Federal Credit Union reduced their inspection turnaround time by 80%, resulting in an 83% reduction of draw time.

“Land Gorilla’s platform was easy to set-up and implement – we can’t express enough how much time it saves us and how much more efficient our process is now,” said Calvin. “They are fantastic in continuing to train us and answer any questions we may have.”

“We will be partnering with Land Gorilla on new markets, including the MH Advantage program through Fannie Mae,” she continued. “We look forward to using Land Gorilla’s platform and services to grow these new markets.”

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