These days, instead of leaning on computer programmers to design original bank software, lending firms are using trade software like the business process management tool, enterprise origination and application processing system to process loans. So where does that leave the computer programmer?

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It is not as necessary to depend on a programmer to run your bank's software, as today's software is designed for lay people. You need not understand a thing about computer programming to run these tools. Thankfully, at your bank, you'll cut down on programming needs and employee training hours. However, you still need that computer programmer: His/her responsibility at today's bank continues to be necessary, just different.

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How does this software work?

These loan application software programs function at a fast rate. Former days of credit applications taking months to process are long gone. The business process management tool can make it happen in a matter of minutes, and eliminates hours of employee training, hours! Increased automation in this area helps free up time for you and your employees to focus on other areas like customer service and customer acquisition.

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Should I hire a computer programmer to adapt these tools to my lending institution?

You might not need to. To begin with, the software companies configure solutions just for your institution's needs, combining credit decisioning, application processing, and document generation. When your bank invests in these tools, the company supplying it acts as your computer programmer. So you hit two birds with one stone, saving time and unnecessary expense. After you implement the tools, anyone at the bank can easily run it. If your employees encounter technical problems, most software companies supply technical support, by way of phone and Internet. To reduce the need for computer programmers, ask the software company about the technical support they provide. Will your employees be helped immediately, and at the hours convenient for your institution? How much time does the company allot to training help, and is there an expiration date for that help?

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Do I need a computer programmer at all?

Of course, all lending institutions have an information technology department stocked with computer programmers, and it's not as if you are going to get rid of them. The obvious benefit of your IT department is immediate, in-person help. You also need your programmer on hand for security issues, a major concern of all banks. Computer programmers are always updating software and should be acting as watchdogs for your lending institution's safety.

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With the automated software, computer programmers are relieved not to be needed every step of the way. This saves you money. The more automated the software, the less necessary the computer programmer. This gives your programmers more time to focus on protecting the website and software programs. They can also spend more time improving existing programs, keeping them bug-free.

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With this increased free time, your bank may benefit by allowing the programmers to experiment with designing new programs. Some lending institutions have gotten ahead of their competition by allowing their programmers to freely experiment with new ideas. Top businesses like Microsoft even encourage their programmers to spend a portion of each day in free experimentation, which has resulted in several innovations.

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Technologically speaking, this is a great time for banks. Never before has there been such fine-tuned security and tracking systems. It is almost scary how much information a bank can find out about an individual. Luckily, these improvements to software mean that computer programmers are able to shift their skills away from helping lay people, and towards invention.