Clutch, the leading provider of digital omnichannel origination experiences for credit unions, today announced the launch of HAL, an AI-powered lending assistant that transforms the lending process. HAL enhances the applicant experience, streamlines operations, and drives growth for credit unions by accelerating loan processing and reducing costs.
As part of Clutch’s mission to help credit unions digitally transform and become the obvious choice for financial services, HAL is designed to deliver measurable improvements across the entire lending journey. Regardless of loan type, Clutch’s solutions empower credit unions to convert applications into booked, funded, and activated relationships faster than ever before.
Key Features of HAL
- AI-Powered Conversations with Applicants – HAL engages loan applicants with intelligent, real-time conversations, guiding them through the application process while answering questions and addressing concerns.
- Automated Document Collection & Validation – HAL simplifies document collection and verification, reducing manual work, ensuring accuracy, and cutting operational costs—all while improving engagement and convenience for applicants.
- Loan Status Tracking – Applicants can easily monitor the progress of their loan applications, increasing transparency and reducing stress for both members and staff.
Proven Results
“By leveraging AI to automate time-consuming tasks and provide 24/7 access to the credit union, key performance metrics soar,” said Tamanna Kotwalli, Head of Product at Clutch.
- 80% of document requests facilitated by HAL
- More than one day reduction in time-to-fund
- 70% increase in look-to-book ratio
- Only 2% of member messages required human escalation
“Our pilot customers have seen incredible results with HAL,” said Chris Coleman, Co-founder of Clutch. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive—credit unions are processing loans faster, reducing costs, and delivering an improved member experience. HAL is truly a game-changer for credit unions competing in today’s digital-first financial landscape.”
Nicky Hinrichsen, CEO and Co-founder of Clutch, added: “With HAL, credit unions are equipped to meet the growing demand for seamless, efficient, and personalized financial services. This launch reflects our continued focus on helping credit unions thrive in a rapidly changing financial ecosystem.”
Why Clutch
Clutch helps credit unions modernize every step of the member journey, from digital account opening to digital loan opening and cross-sell. Our platform provides:
- Automated Application Processing – Streamlined digital applications for deposit accounts and loans (auto, personal, credit card, and home equity). By automating data entry and verification, Clutch reduces manual work, increases speed, and minimizes errors.
- Cross-Sell Opportunities – Intelligent recommendations surface personalized financial products that deepen member relationships.
- Omnichannel Support – A simple, intuitive interface empowers MSRs to guide members through applications and approvals, driving better service outcomes with less effort.
