Modern Lender sits down with Andrew Vaughan, Head of Customer Management at e4 Strategic, to discuss the launch of VERSA Assure and how lenders can strengthen panel oversight while reducing the administrative burden on conveyancers through better use of data, automation and connected workflows.
- Why is conveyancing panel management still such a key operational focus for lenders today?
A trusted conveyancing panel sits at the heart of lender risk and delivery. Most lenders are required to have robust frameworks in place to provide oversight to their panels, but for many lenders and indeed large conveyancing firms the scale involved is significant. With thousands of firms and a constant flow of compliance data, maintaining oversight, ensuring compliance becomes a continuous operational task for both lenders and conveyancing firms.
The process works, but it often relies on high levels of manual review and repeated data being provided and collected by both parties. That’s where the pressure builds, particularly for operations teams managing both risk and throughput.
- Where are the main inefficiencies in the current panel management model?
A lot of it comes down to how information is handled. Conveyancers are regularly asked to update documentation, while lenders are still required to validate and monitor that information on an ongoing basis.
This creates duplication and slows things down. It can also shift the focus away from insight and towards administration. For both lenders and conveyancers, reducing repeat tasks and making better use of data helps create a far more efficient, lower-touch approach, with the added benefit of significantly lowering operational costs for both parties.
- How does VERSA Assure support lenders in managing their panels more effectively?
VERSA Assure has been designed to reduce the admin burden for both Lenders and Conveyancers, it allows lenders to more easily configure their own panel requirements, automate onboarding and maintain compliance through continuous validation rather than periodic checks.
It also connects panel management to the wider transaction process. Instead of managing firms in isolation, lenders can link panel data with case activity and performance. That creates a more complete view, not just of who is on the panel, but how they are performing.
- What role does data and integration play in improving panel management?
It’s central. The more you can rely on trusted data sources and integrated systems, the less you need to ask for manually provided data. That reduces friction for conveyancers and improves data quality for lenders.
Integration also means information can flow across the process and will ultimately speed up the onboarding process.
- How important is linking panel management with post-offer case visibility?
It’s increasingly important. Conveyancer panel management has traditionally focused on onboarding and compliance, but the real test comes once those firms are dealing with live cases for that lender. That’s where delays, queries and risk tend to appear.
By linking panel oversight with real-time case tracking, lenders can move from a static view of their panel to a live view of performance. That makes it easier to identify issues early, manage pipeline risk and allocate work more effectively.
- What should lenders be thinking about as they look to evolve their panel strategy?
The focus should be on building on what already works, while reducing unnecessary friction in the process. That means looking at how technology can support better data sharing, remove duplication and provide clearer insight into both compliance and performance.
The direction of travel is towards a more connected model, where panel management and transaction management sit together. When that happens, lenders gain better visibility, and a more efficient operating model, with less friction, without adding complexity for their panel firms. It’s a win win for both Lenders and Conveyancing Firms.
