United Trust Bank’s (UTB) Astrid Michael and Louise McIntosh won the AFC Excellence in Technology Award at the 2024 AFC Summer Awards.
The prestigious event, now in its 3rd year, is billed by AFC as ‘our industry’s opportunity to come together to celebrate the successes of today and the opportunities of tomorrow. The awards recognise outstanding contributions by companies and individuals within the asset finance industry.’
Astrid Michael, Head of Sales – Asset Finance, and Louise McIntosh, Head of Operations – Asset Finance, won the award for the research, design and delivery of UTB’s new asset finance digital platform.
The aim of the project was to provide greater capability and automation of routine tasks, accelerating servicing and freeing up skilled people, enabling them in turn to add value in ways only human interaction can. Since initial implementation, the team has continuously improved the system with the integration and delivery of various best-in-class apps and specialist fintech which are best suited for making transacting business with UTB as quick and as easy as possible.
Accepting the award, Astrid Michael said: “This award is for the whole team. It recognises the hard work put in by everyone involved in creating, implementing and now improving this system. This re-platforming has significantly changed the way we do business whilst maintaining our commitment to delivering great asset finance solutions with superb personal service. We employ technology to assist rather than replace the key role people play in the process, freeing up time and resource to enable us to add value in ways only a human can.
“Our investment in technology, with the integration of innovative KYC and auto underwriting solutions, has improved our speed and service to brokers and sets us up for further growth in the future.”