Beyond Screening: How AI Now Touches Every Stage of Bee Informatica's Operations
We introduced FundingBee’s initiative to incorporate AI into its loan assessment process in a previous article. AI now reads applicants' bank statements to assess available cash flow and automatically recommends an appropriate loan amount. It also transcribes and scores the 15-minute assessment interview, generating a credit score in about five minutes. As a result, applicants can receive their loan decision in as little as 1–2 business days.
However, AI is not limited to the assessment process alone. From the customer’s initial enquiry, through to the submission of the necessary documents, and right through to handling situations where repayments do not proceed as planned, AI is now integrated into various aspects of our operations.
Why This Matters to SME Owners
For a business owner, time is often the scarcest resource. An unexpected order comes in, and suddenly cash is needed to buy materials, but the loan process feels unfamiliar, and every extra form or delay adds friction at exactly the wrong moment. Our goal with AI has never been technology for its own sake; it's about closing that gap between "I need funds" and "I have them," as quickly and simply as possible.
Faster Answers, Around the Clock
Previously, every customer inquiry, even simple questions already answered on our website, required a staff member to respond individually. We've since introduced Respond.io to automatically handle routine, frequently asked questions. When a query goes beyond that, it's handed off to our team for a human response. The result: customers get quick answers to common questions, while our staff can focus their attention on the cases that genuinely need a person's judgment.
Smarter Application Forms
We have developed a feature that scans documents uploaded by customers and automatically populates the application form with information, such as company names. Previously, customers had to enter this information themselves, but with the new application form released at the end of June, all customers need to do is upload the document. By having the AI scan the information from the ‘Company Register’ and automatically populate the required fields, the effort required to complete the application has been drastically reduced.
A More Flexible Approach to Collections
Collections require a thoughtful and sensitive approach, and maintaining good communication with our customers is a priority. At the same time, we recognise that customers may not always be available, so we are introducing AI voice technology to enable outreach at different times. AI handles simple conversations, such as notifying customers of overdue payments and confirming their next repayment date, allowing our team to focus on cases that require more personalised support.
Doing More With a Lean Team
Every one of these changes shares a common thread: we let a small team support a growing number of SME owners without sacrificing responsiveness. Combined with an application process that already asks for minimal documentation, the aim is simple: remove the friction, and let business owners get back to business.
We'll continue to share updates as AI becomes part of more of our work.
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