Robotic process automation is a technology platform that enables the movement of data through multiple applications to automate a task. To put it simply, a bot performs a specific task based on specific rules. For example, let’s say your credit union needs to find all loans that were collateralized by coin collections. A bot can access multiple systems, cross reference data and quickly generate a list of accounts that meet those criteria.

No, RPA can’t completely replace humans because it doesn’t have a mind of its own. For this reason, bots can’t act maliciously or make decisions based on free will. Instead, they can only do what humans tell them to do. Decades ago, people feared that desktops would take away people’s jobs. Instead, desktops transformed those jobs, freeing people to do other tasks and work more intelligently. In the same way, RPA will simply change what people do and empower them to invest more in their uniquely human talents.

What may take a person 20 minutes logging in and out of multiple platforms, can take just seconds for a bot. Bots take care of tedious, data-driven tasks to give people the time they need to shine and do what they do best, whether that’s engaging with members, completing analyses that go beyond data, devising strategy, leading teams – or even answering the phone in person.

Since people also have human moments - a time of bereavement, extended leave, a sudden crisis (like a pandemic!) or even just a hard day – RPA can be in place to help keep the credit union running while people tend to their very human sides of life. Bots give credit unions the flexibility they need to keep the ship afloat while experiencing anything from staffing shortages to team meetings.

RPA can help the credit union move and change faster. With technology in place, as well as the people needed to run it, the credit union is better able to launch initiatives to respond to and anticipate evolving member needs and to create the solutions needed to stay competitive. When credit unions have the technology they need to work more efficiently, they are freed to more closely examine member needs and to develop products, services and solutions that can help credit unions compete with even the largest banks. In this way, technology can help credit unions reach, attract and serve more members than ever before.

Where RPA truly shines is in data gathering and processing, tasks in which humans are highly prone to error. In looking at wire processes as an example, recording, sending and archiving wire transfers requires multiple back-and-forth steps, all of which provide the opportunity to introduce human error. A bot can perform the entire task flawlessly and quickly, helping the credit union to improve accuracy. member needs and to develop products, services and solutions that can help credit unions compete with even the largest banks. In this way, technology can help credit unions reach, attract and serve more members than ever before.

Robotic process automation enables a credit union to push down employment barriers that existed in years past – such as living in one state and working in another. With RPA, you can open up your credit union to capture and keep great talent, so you’re better positioned for the future.

Any credit union has the ability to implement RPA into their operations. The best way for a credit union to get started is to evaluate all their current processes at the credit union and identify any that could be completed through RPA. Credit unions should calculate the costs and efficiency they could gain through RPA implementation; vice versa, the costs spent through current manual processes. Things to keep in mind are resource utilization, time and overall member satisfaction. Lastly, credit unions need to have an execution strategy. They need to identify the right partner for implementation and the best operating model for their credit union.