Heron Data Transforms TFS Financial’s Broker Desk Operations

Heron Data has partnered with TFS Financial to revolutionize the broker desk operations of the equipment finance and leasing provider. This collaboration utilizes Heron’s advanced AI technology to automate document-heavy workflows, resulting in a significant boost in efficiency and speed for TFS. With the integration of Heron’s intelligent document-processing platform, TFS is now able to automate over 4,000 decisions each month, effectively saving the workload equivalent to two full-time employees.

The broker desk at TFS processes a substantial volume of finance applications, managing submissions from a network of potential lenders. Prior to this automation, employees faced a burdensome routine of manual data entry, which consumed valuable time that could be better spent on enhancing customer service and strengthening lender relationships. According to Sydney Stewart, Manager of Broker Desk at TFS, “Rather than uploading decisions all day, my team can now focus on making sure the right applications get to the right lenders — and that we’re getting approvals back faster for our customers.”

Challenges of Manual Processes

TFS’s broker desk was overwhelmed by repetitive tasks, including copying and pasting decision details from emails into their customer relationship management (CRM) system and monitoring inboxes to keep deals progressing. This manual workload accumulated quickly, with each decision requiring up to five minutes of administrative work. With around 200 decisions made daily, this added up to more than 4,000 decisions each month, effectively monopolizing the time of two full-time employees.

This inefficiency not only hampered productivity but also detracted from the core mission of TFS: serving customers effectively and managing lender relations. Employees found themselves bogged down by low-value tasks, which often involved sorting through declines and irrelevant emails, rather than focusing on strategic initiatives that drive revenue.

Streamlining Operations with Automation

The solution came when TFS decided to implement Heron’s automation technology. The goal was clear: streamline operations to eliminate manual work and expedite turnaround times for customers. With Heron now in place, TFS’s decision-making process operates seamlessly from start to finish.

This transformation means decisions are processed in real-time, eliminating delays associated with waiting for responses in an inbox. Employees are now empowered to concentrate on high-impact work, such as cultivating lender relationships and matching deals, rather than dealing with tedious administrative tasks.

Since the adoption of Heron, TFS has reported measurable improvements, including near real-time turnaround times for customers and organized workflows that keep the team focused on strategic objectives. The result is a more efficient broker desk that not only enhances customer experiences but also cultivates a more engaged workforce.

As TFS continues to roll out Heron’s automation across its entire lender network, the benefits of this partnership are expected to expand further. With Heron managing the administrative burden, TFS can focus on what truly drives their business—approvals, customer satisfaction, and building robust lender relationships.

This collaboration exemplifies how technology can transform traditional processes, leading to improved efficiency and effectiveness in the finance industry.