By Kerry Ronquillo, Senior Director of Business Development at Suntell
After 35 years in the commercial lending space, I’ve had a front-row seat to the evolution of how banks and credit unions manage their loan portfolios. And I’ll tell you this—what’s working today doesn’t look anything like what we were doing 20 years ago. But one thing hasn’t changed: the institutions that succeed are the ones who are willing to evolve.
That’s why more and more financial institutions are saying yes to Square 1 Credit Suite. Because it works—day in, day out—for the people trying to manage risk, serve customers, and stay compliant.
Let’s break down the top five reasons institutions are making the switch.
They Want Workflow, Not Just Workarounds
Everyone’s chasing efficiency right now. Whether a bank is looking to fully digitize their lending process or just streamline the painful parts—like spreading tax returns—they’re looking for a path forward that makes sense for them. Square 1 meets you where you are, whether you want the full LOS experience or just a better way to handle financial analysis.
We’re not the “buy the whole suite or get lost” kind of company. If all you want today is a financial spreading tool, great—we’ll deliver that. And if in 18 months you’re ready for more? We’ll grow with you. No pressure. Just possibilities.
They Don’t Want to Give Up What Makes Them Unique
Every bank or credit union has its own credit culture. I’ve worked with hundreds of them. And one of the biggest frustrations I hear is this: “Every time we buy a new system, we have to give up something that worked for us.”
That’s why we built Custom Grids—a feature that lets you embed your own Excel-based tools right inside Square 1. You built it. You like it. Keep it. We’ll make it part of the process instead of asking you to abandon it. It’s a win-win—and honestly, it’s a game-changer for our customers.
They Want to Be Audit-Ready—Without the Panic
Let’s talk about audits. If you’ve ever prepped for a regulatory exam, you know the drill: hours of scrambling, pulling files, cross-checking data, making sure every “i” is dotted.
Here’s one of my favorite testimonials from a bank using the Square 1 Credit Suite about their recent audit:
“We recently underwent our second exam since we started using the LMS for spreads and loan presentations. The examiners LOVE the amount of information that they can find in those presentations. They were very pleased with the consistency and amount of information. We were scheduled to have the examiners in our offices for 12 business days and they finished up after 4.5!”
Why? Because everything they needed was already there in Square 1 Credit Suite.
Better documentation, faster access, and organized data—those aren’t just compliance benefits. They’re peace of mind.
They’re Tired of Spending Days on Reports
One of the most common things I hear from Chief Credit Officers is this: “I spend three hours to three days every quarter pulling loan-to-value exception reports.”
That’s not an exaggeration. It’s the reality of working across five different systems and trying to merge data manually. In Square 1 Credit Suite, we do it in two clicks and about three seconds. Updated daily, no extra work needed. That’s time saved. That’s risk reduced. That’s how technology should work.
They Need to Do More with Less
Staffing is tight. Costs are up. Expectations are higher than ever. I don’t know a single institution right now that isn’t being asked to do more with fewer people. That’s where Square 1 really shines.
Whether it’s our electronic tax return reader or our 24/7 borrower portal, we automate the parts of the process that bog teams down. And here’s the best part—Square 1 works for you, every day, reliably and consistently.
Bottom Line: We Make Your Job Easier
People often ask me what makes Square 1 different. It’s simple: we build tools that actually make your job easier. And we back them up with people who understand what you’re up against.
This isn’t just about technology. It’s about partnership. It’s about making smart moves today that position your institution for success tomorrow.
If you’re tired of making do with spreadsheets—or buying systems that never quite fit—you’re not alone. Let’s talk about what’s possible when you start at Square 1.
