Embedded Finance vs Banking as a Service: Charting the Future of FinTech
7 Factors to Consider When Building or Buying Loan Management Software: CEO’s Perspective [Build or Buy Guide]
With over two decades of experience in fintech, Dmytro Voronenko, TurnKey Lender’s CEO, highlights key considerations when deciding whether to buy or build a loan origination and management software.
(This post is the 4th chapter in our series ‘Build or Buy? An Executive’s Guide to Choosing the Right Approach to Loan Management Software’)
“Don’t assume building your own lending system will automatically attract fintech investors,” Dmytro explains. “Fintech investors are smart; they know the long-term costs of running an in-house system. Trying to impress them with a custom solution can backfire.”
Also, be aware of unrealistic expectations. “Even with expert in-house developers, problems with these advanced and complex software solutions can’t be fixed in a day or two. You may need help from niche experts.”
To help you better understand what elements influence the decision about buying or building your own loan management software, Dmytro put together the following 7 factors.
7 Factors You Should Consider When Deciding to Buy or Build a Loan Management Software
The decision to buy or build a loan automation solution isn’t one-size-fits-all.
It relies on factors unique to your business, resources, and strategic goals. Two critical factors—ROI and time-to-market—often play a decisive role in this choice.
To navigate this decision with confidence, carefully evaluate the following considerations:
- Complexity of lending operations
Are your lending processes simple or highly complex and customized? Simple processes might be well-served by an off-the-shelf solution. While complex ones with unique needs may require a custom-built platform.
- Scalability needs
Are you expecting significant growth in loan volume or product offerings? A scalable solution is essential to accommodate future expansion without major disruptions.
- Competitive landscape
How urgently do you need to launch your solution to stay competitive? Buying a solution gets you to market faster. While developing one internally can take much longer.
- Return on investment (ROI)
Evaluate the potential ROI for each option. Will a purchased solution bring quicker returns due to faster setup and vendor expertise? Or will a custom-built solution save costs in the long run and give you more control over your technology?
- In-House development team
Do you have a skilled team experienced in building complex software systems? If not, the difficulties of developing internally may outweigh the advantages.
- IT infrastructure
Is your current IT setup capable of supporting the development, deployment, and upkeep of a custom solution? If not, buying a cloud-based lending automation solution is a better option for you.
- Time commitment
Developing a lending platform requires significant time and resources from your team. Can you dedicate the required staff and attention for an extended period (6-12 months or even more)?
How Goldman Sachs Tried to Enter Consumer Lending with Its Marcus Project
Dmytro further explains that staying ahead in the market and having ample time and resources doesn’t guarantee success. He also mentions the perfect example of that – the Goldman Sachs story.
Back in 2015, Goldman Sachs decided to enter the consumer lending market. They were confident in their financial expertise and resources and aimed to shake up the industry with their new online lending platform, Marcus.
Their goal was to offer a simpler, more transparent option compared to traditional banks, focusing on personal loans and high-interest savings accounts.
However, it took them two years to launch Marcus. By then, the market had shifted significantly, with other fintech companies already catching up and setting new standards.
Goldman Sachs has officially decided to shut down key parts of its Marcus project.
“This served as a stark reminder that even well-funded and experienced institutions can face setbacks when they underestimate evolving trends and competition in the industry,” says Dmytro.
Learn about building a loan management software in the previous chapter. Or read about the combination of both buy and build in so-called hybrid approach.
Prefer to read the entire guide at your own pace? Download it as a PDF version.