Atom Bank cuts commercial loan times with automation

Atom Bank has implemented the Flowable process automation engine in its commercial lending business to shorten loan origination times.

The lender is using the system across its commercial mortgage process as part of a broader overhaul of how applications move from submission to decision. The new setup replaces manual handoffs with automated workflows and creates a structure that can adapt as the lending operation evolves.

Atom said that early results show an average reduction in handling time of up to 30% between application and Agreement in Principle. The changes should also allow it to process more loans during busy periods without increasing staff at the same rate as volumes rise.

The project focuses on commercial lending, where the speed of response to brokers can influence which lender wins business. Brokers are expected to benefit from faster processing, greater case visibility and access to a portal that captures information in a more structured way.

Broker process

The portal includes secure login and real-time case tracking. Removing administrative work from lending teams should also leave staff with more time to deal with cases involving unusual property details or other complications.

Commercial property finance often involves manual checks, document requests, and communication among brokers, underwriters, and operations teams. By moving more of those steps into a single automated process, Atom aims to reduce delays that build up between stages of a transaction.

The implementation is part of a custom architecture rather than a standard off-the-shelf product deployment. Atom said that the approach gives it more control over how workflows are designed and changed, and could also support the introduction of AI tools into underwriting processes.

Those plans reflect a wider push across banking to apply automation and AI to lending operations, particularly in areas where turnaround times and labour costs affect competitiveness. Lenders have been looking for ways to speed up case assessment while maintaining audit trails and controls.

Operational shift

For Atom, the immediate focus is on productivity and scale in a specialist lending market. The automated workflows are fully audited, which the bank expects will improve resilience by reducing operational risks linked to repeated manual intervention.

Tom Renwick, Head of Business Lending at Atom bank, outlined the commercial rationale for the project.

"An integral element of Atom's competitive position will be our ability to complete transactions faster than competitors through a combination of market-leading technology and smart process engineering. By unleashing the full potential of our team and automating repetitive processes, we are delivering a lending platform that redefines speed and efficiency in the market. Ultimately, this allows us to cultivate fiercely loyal broker advocates via exceptional user experiences and increase our market share," Renwick said.

Atom launched in 2016 as an app-based bank and offers mortgages, savings products and secured business lending for small and medium-sized enterprises. The bank is based in the North East of England and employs nearly 600 people.

In recent years, the lender has sought to differentiate itself through technology-led operations and changes to working practices, including a four-day working week for employees. In business lending, that strategy has focused on improving service levels for brokers and handling more applications without building the same cost base as larger high street rivals.

Renwick said the latest rollout is also intended to support that model as volumes grow.

"With the improved technology at our disposal, Atom is uniquely equipped to scale operations up without a proportional increase in fixed overheads. This deployment future-proofs the bank's composable architecture, ensuring it can adapt instantly to evolving broker needs and market opportunities," he added.