Digital and Print Communications Solutions

THE CHALLENGE

Southern Auto Finance Company, LLC (SAFCO) is a preferred non-prime auto lender to some of the largest U.S. dealer groups in the country as well as other retail outlets. Founded in 1990, the company provides financing for buyers who traditionally have a difficult time securing financing. SAFCO recently expanded its customer base to include military service members and now operates in 38 states. SAFCO has developed a culture and processes to help customers improve their credit for a better tomorrow.

To make this happen, SAFCO has found that regular communication with its customers is critical. As a leader in using technology and data analytics to improve the customer financial experience, SAFCO looked to consolidate all communications on one versatile platform and offer seamless omnichannel billing. This technology would allow the company to directly manage communication content and present documents into their customer portal.

THE SOLUTION

SAFCO has the power, control and flexibility to manage and personalize content and delivery channels, making communications more efficient and effective to produce while adding more convenience and engagement for customers. SAFCO employees develop, edit, upload, test and release documents to production in hours without vendor assistance, compared to a week or longer with their previous process. In addition, the company can include dynamic consumer and marketing messages in paper and e-billing statements as well as customize compliance and legal disclosures that can vary from state to state.

“We’ve never had this control and agility before Nordis,” said Daniel Baggett, senior vice president of compliance and loan servicing.

By using Expresso, the company achieved a goal to move more customers to digital customer communications. Before Nordis, about 20% to 25% of communications were electronic. Now, about half of customers receive electronic financial communications. Additionally, the presentment of billing statements into the SAFCO customer portal has resulted in a nearly 50% reduction in customer requests to call centers to obtain past statements. “We are seeing huge demand for digital options, and Nordis offers robust omnichannel communications options. We are servicing accounts more efficiently with lower headcount,” Fussell said.

The flexibility and speed to engage is also important during emergencies, such as a hurricane. “Following any type of natural disaster (or pandemics like Covid-19), we want to be able to quickly communicate with our customers who are affected, giving them more time and options to pay their monthly auto finance bill,” Fussell said.

SAFCO also relies on Expresso’s detailed and timely reporting to keep track of customer interactions, especially any returns or email bounces, and adjust them as needed to make the connection and remove barriers to payment. All records processed through Expresso are automatically updated based on NCOA, CASS and DPV information, ensuring optimal address hygiene to improve mail delivery. Any returned mail is also processed by Nordis with impacted records delivered electronically to SAFCO.

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BENEFITS

Simplified Compliance.

Present only state and federal disclosures and disclaimers unique to each customer and quickly revise as needed to meet changing state and federal rules.

Improved Customer Experience.

Offer omnichannel options, including print/mail, email, SMS/text, automated Certified Mail and digital wallet.

Secure e-delivery.

Offer omnichannel communications options, including print/mail, and digital delivery, and the ability to present rules-driven content for a more personalized communication.

Automated record retention.

Set custom timelines and easily update to meet legal requirements with archiving feature.

Digital Presentment.

Draw from Expresso’s archive to make accessible billing statements and other critical communications to customers accessing the SAFCO portal.

Reporting Features.

Track file processing results, return mail, email delivery opens and bounces and other key metrics.

Consumer Financial Services

Auto lenders, collection firms, mortgage loan servicers and other consumer financial companies use our cloud solutions to create and deliver documents, plus collect digital payments, which facilitates compliance, expands secure digital options and enhances customer service.

Expresso for Consumer Financial Services

Expresso gives us complete access for managing the templates, content and business rules that drive the onboarding and change management process for our hospital clients. By streamlining the workflow, we have more insight into our communication touchpoints, manage our operations more efficiently and can rapidly respond to the unique and changing requirements of our clients.