Customer Success Story
Driving over 50% Application-To-Approval Rate With Smarter Digital Lending
D.L. Evans Bank Transformed Its Decisioning Process and Unlocked New Digital Growth Opportunities
Headquarters: Burley, ID
Branch locations: 39
The Challenge
Expanding Digital Lending While Maintaining Personal Service
As a trusted community bank, D.L. Evans Bank faced the challenge of balancing traditional, relationship-based service with the growing demand for digital convenience. Customers increasingly expect faster decisions and seamless online applications without sacrificing the personalized attention that defines community banking. To remain competitive and meet evolving customer expectations, D.L. Evans Bank needed to enhance its digital lending process and enable remote engagement for both existing and new customers.
The Solution
MeridianLink Consumer and Portal
The Bank implemented MeridianLink® Consumer and MeridianLink® Portal—integrating lending workflow automation, instant decisioning, and an intuitive consumer-facing digital application. This empowered borrowers to easily complete applications remotely while receiving timely decisions and updates.
Why D.L. Evans Bank Selected MeridianLink Consumer and MeridianLink Portal
53.33% of applications funded, a strong indicator of end-to-end lending success.
50.39% approval rate, showcasing balanced risk and growth.
55.62% application-to-approval rate, highlighting process optimization and borrower satisfaction.
The Results
Stronger Customer Engagement and a Thriving Digital Branch
The impact was immediate. Lending efficiency improved dramatically as automation and instant decisioning streamlined branch operations. Customers benefited from faster responses and fewer trips to physical locations. One customer, for example, completed nearly the entire Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) process online, saving a 30-minute drive and only visiting the branch once to sign final documents.
This also expanded access to additional products like small business credit cards and auto loans, helping attract new customers and improve cross-sell opportunities. Integration with tools like SavvyMoney further strengthened customer engagement by enabling existing clients to apply for products directly through online banking.
Nearly 50% of approved applications now receive instant decisions and D.L. Evans Bank continues to refine its decisioning rules and digital strategies with the goal of making its digital branch the largest and most productive in the organization—delivering both speed and service in one seamless experience.
