BusinessCard Application Processing System (BAPS)

Project Overview

First USA, a subsidiary of Bank One, needed a system to process business card applications. The BusinessCard Application Processing System (BAPS) was developed to handle the complete application workflow, from initial submission through credit decision and approval. The system integrated with multiple credit bureaus and external data sources to provide comprehensive creditworthiness assessments.

Key Achievements

Designed and developed a complete business card application processing system from scratch
Integrated multiple credit bureaus including Dun & Bradstreet and Fair Isaac for comprehensive credit analysis
Implemented OCR document scanning to automate application data entry and reduce manual processing
Built real-time decision engine that processed applications within minutes of submission
Created automated workflow that reduced application processing time from days to hours

Technical Architecture

Core Components

Application Processing Engine
- Visual Basic-based user interface and business logic
- SQL Server database for application data storage
- Btrieve database for credit bureau integration
Credit Bureau Integration
- Dun & Bradstreet business credit data interface
- Fair Isaac credit scoring integration
- Real-time credit report retrieval and processing
Document Processing
- OCR scanning system for paper applications
- Automated data extraction and validation
- Digital document storage and retrieval
Decision Engine
- Configurable business rules engine
- Automated credit decision logic
- Approval/rejection workflow management

Business Impact

Processing Speed: Reduced application processing time from 3-5 days to under 2 hours
Accuracy: 99% reduction in manual data entry errors through OCR automation
Customer Experience: Faster credit decisions improved customer satisfaction
Operational Efficiency: 80% reduction in manual processing overhead
Revenue Growth: Enabled rapid scaling of business card operations

Implementation Results

Before BAPS System

Manual paper application processing
3-5 day turnaround time for credit decisions
High error rates in data entry
Limited integration with credit bureaus
Inconsistent decision criteria

After BAPS System

Automated application processing workflow
Real-time credit bureau integration
Consistent decision engine with configurable rules
Digital document management
Comprehensive audit trail and reporting

Technology Stack

Visual Basic: Primary application development language
SQL Server: Central database for application data storage
Btrieve: Database system for credit bureau data integration
OCR Technology: Document scanning and text extraction
Credit Bureau APIs: Dun & Bradstreet and Fair Isaac integration
Windows Forms: User interface development

Key Features

Automated Application Processing

OCR document scanning for paper applications
Automated data extraction and validation
Real-time credit bureau integration with Dun & Bradstreet and Fair Isaac
Automated decision engine with configurable business rules

Credit Analysis Integration

Multi-bureau credit reporting for comprehensive risk assessment
Automated credit scoring using Fair Isaac algorithms
Business credit analysis through Dun & Bradstreet integration
Risk-based decision making with configurable approval criteria

Workflow Management

End-to-end application tracking from submission to decision
Automated notification system for application status updates
Comprehensive audit trail for regulatory compliance
Exception handling for complex credit scenarios

Future Enhancements

Client-based interface for modern user experience
API integration for third-party system connectivity
Advanced analytics for credit risk modeling
Mobile application for field sales team support