Barclays Looks To Speed Up Mortgage Applications With Quick Scan App

Barclays has announced plans to help speed up the time it takes to process a mortgage application by launching a new ‘scan and go’ service for its brokers.

Scan and Attach will allow the bank’s mortgage brokers to save time uploading submission documents when on the move by allowing customer details to be scanned using the camera in a smartphone or tablet.

As brokers often meet clients at their homes, Barclays hope that the new service will make it easier to conduct business and process mortgage applications more quickly, with documents uploaded directly to an online repository where they are available for view by staff.

Quick scan

Barclays says that Scan and Attach is a first for a UK bank, and will also remove any uncertainty over whether documents have been received, with all past information easily accessible to staff. Meanwhile, a headersheet previously used by brokers to confirm that documents are originals has been replaced by a tick box, further speeding the application process.

The launch builds on similar services launched last year by Barclays, which saw the bank trial a cheque imaging system which allowed retail banking customers to deposit payments using smartphones and tablets.

“The launch of these enhancements to our online mortgage submission system is an important milestone in an ongoing journey of bringing improvements designed to support brokers and to help them deliver the very best service for customers,” said Jackie Uhi, managing director, mortgage distribution at Barclays.

“We’ve listened to feedback from the intermediary market and are working hard to develop a broker-centric approach which sees them served and supported as customers of ours as well as partners. We are excited to be the first lender to offer the ability to photograph documents and upload them in this way and look forward to introducing further innovations in 2015.”

The launch is the latest in a series of moves by Barclays as it looks to update its branches for an increasingly technology-savvy customer base. In December, the bank announced it would become the first UK bank to offer banking services via video call, meaning customers can now access services and speak to employees without needing to visit a branch.

Last summer, Barclays also said it would be equipping branch staff with iPads and moving them out from behind desks in a bid to deal with more customers face to face.

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