Past Project
Credit Process Re-Design
The client’s credit approval process for new counterparties and contract extensions had become a significant bottleneck. Each request triggered a chain of emails, spreadsheets, and manual reviews across sales, risk, finance, and legal. Credit files were inconsistent, and supporting documents were often incomplete. Approvals could take weeks, slowing down commercial teams who needed to lock in deals quickly in volatile markets. At the same time, the lack of standardization created risk exposure, as different regions applied different criteria and audit trails were thin. The business recognized that the process was no longer fit for purpose and needed to be restructured end-to-end.
The engagement began with a diagnostic mapping of the current-state credit process across multiple regions and functions. Workshops identified key pain points: redundant data collection, unclear hand-offs, and an absence of standard approval thresholds. Using this analysis, the process was redesigned to introduce a streamlined intake, standardized documentation templates, and tiered approval levels based on exposure size and counterparty risk.
A digital workflow was introduced to replace manual email routing. Requests were submitted through a single portal, with required fields validated up front to ensure completeness. Automated checks against existing counterparty data and external credit bureaus reduced manual research time. Standard thresholds determined whether approvals could be handled within credit or required escalation to senior committees. Dashboards provided transparency on pipeline requests, approval times, and outstanding bottlenecks. Training and change management ensured that both sales and risk teams adopted the new process consistently.
Solution
Key Features
The redesigned process created a single point of entry for all credit requests, eliminating fragmented intake methods. Standardized templates and automated data checks reduced rework and missing information. Tiered approval thresholds aligned decision-making with risk, ensuring that low-exposure deals moved quickly while higher-risk cases received appropriate scrutiny. A digital workflow replaced manual emails, providing transparency and accountability for every step. Dashboards offered leadership real-time insight into credit cycle times and portfolio exposure.
Outcomes
Credit approval cycle times reduced by more than 50 percent
Sales teams able to close deals faster in volatile markets
Standardized templates and rules reduced missing information and rework
Tiered thresholds ensured consistent treatment of risk exposures
Improved audit trail and transparency for compliance and governance
Greater alignment between sales and risk functions
Business Drivers
The business needed to accelerate credit approvals to avoid losing deals in fast-moving commodity markets. At the same time, leadership sought to reduce credit risk exposure by standardizing criteria and ensuring a documented audit trail. Operational efficiency was also a priority, as analysts spent disproportionate time chasing missing information and reconciling spreadsheets. Finally, executives wanted a process that could scale across regions and counterparties without constant manual intervention.
Technologies
MS Power Automate | RightAngle