Ascend Federal Credit Union Cut Mortgage Processing Time by Five Days With MeridianLink Mortgage Access

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Ascend Federal Credit Union (Ascend) recently enhanced its member engagement and mortgage application experience capabilities through the successful implementation of MeridianLink^® Mortgage Access. Members of the Tennessee-based credit union now enjoy a more personalized application process, while the credit union has streamlined workflows, reducing mortgage application processing times by an average of five days and closing times by eight days.

The MeridianLink platform empowers Ascend to personalize its mortgage application experience, significantly speeding up processing and closing times while expanding its reach to both new and existing members. Before adopting MeridianLink Mortgage Access, Ascend's loan application process relied on manual credit and identity verification steps, which slowed down application and approval times. Now, with access to MeridianLink^® Marketplace, Ascend has integrated MeridianLink® Mortgage Access with Plaid^® and Equifax^®, enabling quicker asset verification and seamless credit report retrieval.

Don Gilliam, VP of mortgage service at Ascend Federal Credit Union said, "By utilizing MeridianLink solutions, we're able to bring the latest technology to our members - increasing process efficiencies, improving the application experience, and providing all-around better service. As a satisfied MeridianLink customer for more than nine years, we're excited about the future of our partnership and the additional benefits we'll be able to bring to our members because of our continued collaboration."

In addition to the process efficiencies, MeridianLink Mortgage Access has also helped Ascend improve the application experience through a built-in document upload system, two-way messaging with credit union staff from within the application portal, and a convenient landing page for members to check the status of their application.

For Ascend staff, these logistical and application experience improvements translate to more time spent directly supporting members and offering additional products to help them achieve their unique financial goals. This not only benefits consumers, who enjoy a more personalized, high-touch experience, but also strengthens the credit union's relationships with existing members. Additionally, it enhances Ascend's mortgage lending capabilities, positioning the credit union to attract new members in the future.

Ascend Federal Credit Union has also strengthened its consumer lending and account opening processes by leveraging MeridianLink^® Consumer and MeridianLink^® Opening products, part of the MeridianLink^® One platform. This has resulted in a simpler, more seamless experience for members to join the credit union or apply for financial products.