New Origence Platform Integrates Zest AI’s Credit Scoring Technology

Origence, an Irvine, Calif.-based lending technology CUSO, revealed a new platform during its Lending Live ’22 conference in Aurora, Colo., this week – and a new partnership with artificial intelligence software provider Zest AI is set to enhance the platform with fairer, more accurate credit scoring and loan decisioning capabilities for credit union users.

The CUSO on Tuesday introduced Origence arc, which allows users to access and leverage the its loan origination software and consists of three products: arc OS, the CUSO’s loan origination system that was formerly known as Lending 360; arc DX, a new digital member experience product offering online loan application and account opening functionality; and arc MX, a marketing automation platform formerly known as Intuvo Marketing Automation that supports digital, mobile, email and SMS marketing communications.

“Origence arc is a modern platform with the ability to transform the entire origination journey for credit unions and their members,” Origence President/CEO Tony Boutelle said during his opening keynote session at the conference. “We know that the future of the lending industry is all about digital platforms – and Origence arc will help us create a new digital member experience that is one of the most significant advances we’ve engineered in years.”

In a separate announcement Wednesday, the Los Angeles-based Zest AI said it has partnered with Origence, integrating its Model Management System credit scoring technology into Origence’s automated underwriting module for arc OS. According to Zest AI, credit unions that use its machine learning algorithms in credit underwriting can access thousands of data points to determine a credit score, leading to credit decisions that are more equitable than those made using traditional credit scoring models.

“Incorporating Zest AI’s advanced machine learning technology greatly enhances overall loan decisioning capabilities of our consumer lending platform,” Origence Chief Product Officer Brian Hendricks stated. “We are excited to partner with Zest AI to provide unmatched automated underwriting and credit scoring capabilities that further simplify the lending process, benefitting both our credit union partners and their members.”

Jose Valentin, SVP of partnerships for Zest AI, added, “Our integration with Origence helps remove hurdles that can limit access to technology for lenders, especially those that may not have the resources to support major IT projects and changes. We’re really excited to see this partnership increase the adoption of machine learning and give more members access to fairer credit decisions.”

In addition, Origence announced Wednesday that it has partnered with Informed.IQ, a San Francisco-based provider of AI software to financial institutions, to integrate its technology into Origence’s Document Process Automation functionality, automating the identification of documents and the validation of financing policies.

“Partnering with Informed.IQ to integrate their leading AI-based technology allows us to advance our lending systems’ capabilities and performance, further streamlining the overall loan process for our credit unions and their members,” Hendricks stated.

According to the CUSO, Informed.IQ’s technology will not only enable Origence system users to quickly and efficiently process loans, but to more easily comply with regulatory requirements and combat fraud.

Informed.IQ CEO Justin Wickett commented, “We’re making it easier for credit unions to process auto loans. Utilizing machine learning and accurate data to streamline the decision-making process enhances Origence’s end-to-end solution and their ability to improve staff efficiency, expedite their loan process and enhance the member experience.”