By Kerry Ronquillo, Senior Director of Business Development at Suntell
Let me just say it straight: I’ve been in this business long enough to hear just about every reason why a bank or credit union won’t move forward with a Loan Origination System.
Some are valid—timing, budgets, transitions. But others? They’re myths that are holding good institutions back from doing better work.
So today, I want to tackle the top five objections I hear in the field, and more importantly, how we help folks move past them.
Objection 1: “We’re Too Small for an LOS”
This one comes up all the time. The belief is that a system like Square 1 Credit Suite must be expensive, complex, or built only for the big banks with entire departments to manage it.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
What I tell people is this: You don’t have to climb the whole mountain today. Maybe you just need a better financial spreading tool—that’s your first step. That’s your win. And we can build from there. Square 1 is built to scale, not to overwhelm. You don’t need a team of ten to use it. You need the right tools, and a partner that knows how to tailor them to your needs.
Objection 2: “We Don’t Have the Time or Bandwidth to Implement”
Totally fair concern. I’ve worked with teams that are already running at full tilt, and adding one more project feels like too much.
That’s why our onboarding process is documented, paced, and supported by people who’ve walked in your shoes—many of our implementation specialists were users themselves before joining our team.
This isn’t a “good luck and Godspeed” kind of handoff. We guide you, we train your people, and we’re here when the phone rings—because it always does. I’ve been on the receiving end of poor implementation before. It’s miserable. That’s why we don’t let that happen on our watch.
Objection 3: “We Already Have Something That Works”
Sure. But how well is it working?
Sometimes this means they’re still using Excel. Sometimes it’s a competitor’s product. Either way, I always dig deeper: What does your current solution actually do for you? Is it integrated? Is it automated? Is it saving time? Or is it just familiar?
That’s when the lightbulb goes off. Square 1 Credit Suite might replace what you’re doing—or it might build on it. And thanks to our custom grids, you don’t have to give up what you’ve already created. We’ll bring it with you and make it better.
Objection 4: “Our Team Won’t Use It”
Ah yes—the fear of user adoption. I get it. I’ve got one client who’s been in conversations with us for a few years. He leads a team of seasoned commercial lenders and is hesitant to ask them to change.
But here’s what happens: bring in a few younger lenders who’ve used systems like this before, and that enthusiasm spreads. One team member sees how easy it is to generate a loan presentation or pull up a report, and suddenly the Excel die-hards start asking, “Wait… how’d you do that?”
User adoption isn’t about forcing compliance. It’s about building excitement. And when that happens? Culture shifts.
Objection 5: “We’re Worried About Data Security”
This is a smart concern. Square 1 Credit Suite handles everything from core data to tax returns. It’s a treasure trove of sensitive info, and you need to know it’s protected.
Most of our clients choose to deploy Square 1 Credit Suite on-premise, behind their firewall. Total control. But we also offer secure hosting through Microsoft Azure for those who prefer the cloud.
Whatever your preference, we make sure your IT team is looped in, comfortable, and confident in the process. After all, nothing matters more than trust—especially in banking.
The Objections Are Real—But So Are the Solutions
Here’s what I’ve learned over the years: most objections aren’t about the software. They’re about fear—fear of change, fear of wasted investment, fear of systems that don’t deliver.
That’s why transparency matters. That’s why support matters. And that’s why Square 1 isn’t just a product—it’s a partnership.
So next time someone says, “We’re too small,” or “It’s not the right time,” I’ll ask one simple question: What’s the cost of staying exactly where you are?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is commercial lending software worth it for a small bank or credit union?
Yes. For most small and mid-size institutions, a loan origination system (LOS) pays for itself in time saved on spreading, underwriting, and reporting, even without a full-scale rollout. You don't have to implement every module at once. Many institutions start with a single win, like automating financial spreading, and expand from there as the value becomes clear.
What size bank or credit union needs a loan origination system?
There's no minimum size requirement. Square 1 Credit Suite is built to scale to the institution, not the other way around. You don't need a large team or a dedicated department to use it. Smaller institutions typically start with the tools that solve their most immediate pain point and add capabilities over time.
How long does it take to implement a loan origination system?
Implementation timelines vary by institution and how much of the system you're adopting at once, but Suntell's onboarding is a documented, paced process, not a one-time handoff. Many of Suntell's implementation specialists are former users themselves, and support continues well past go-live so lending teams aren't left to figure things out alone.
Can a loan origination system replace or work with the spreadsheets we already use?
Both, depending on what makes sense for your team. Square 1 Credit Suite can replace manual spreadsheet processes entirely, or incorporate the custom grids and templates you've already built so that switching systems doesn't mean starting from scratch.
Will our lending team actually use new loan software, or will they stick with what they know?
Adoption tends to happen organically once a few team members start using the system day to day. Institutions often see the fastest uptake when a small group, sometimes newer or younger lenders, starts generating loan presentations or reports faster than the old process allowed, which tends to prompt the rest of the team to ask how it's done.
Is Square 1 Credit Suite secure enough for sensitive financial and tax data?
Yes. Square 1 Credit Suite handles sensitive information like core banking data and tax returns, and institutions can choose how it's deployed based on their security preferences. Most clients run it on-premise behind their own firewall for full control, while others use secure cloud hosting through Microsoft Azure. Either way, your IT team is involved throughout the process.
Do we need a dedicated IT team to run a loan origination system?
No. Square 1 Credit Suite is designed to work with institutions of varying IT capacity. Whether you deploy on-premise or in the cloud, Suntell works directly with your IT team (however large or small) to make sure the setup is one they're comfortable maintaining.
What's the risk of sticking with our current process instead of upgrading?
The main risk is opportunity cost: time spent on manual spreading, disconnected reporting, and workarounds is time not spent on lending decisions and relationships. Most institutions that hesitate aren't held back by the software itself, but by the fear of switching. The better question to ask is what staying exactly where you are is already costing you.
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