I’m revising our pre-close checklist and debating a client portal versus structured email to collect trailing items; on a $1.8M CRE refi last week, a shared folder cut follow-ups by about 40% but confused one guarantor. How are you keeping conditions precedent documented cleanly without adding client friction or risking gaps in the credit file?
I’d ditch the shared folder and use item-level file request links (e.g., Dropbox File Requests: https://help.dropbox.com/files-folders/share/request-files) tied to a simple “conditions precedent” register in the credit file so status, owner, and receipt live in one place. It’s like handing them labeled envelopes instead of the whole filing cabinet, and if your LOS can embed those links in templated emails it further trims the back-and-forth.
And using a client portal is great for streamlining, but if you’re seeing confusion, maybe a quick intro video or FAQ could help clear things up. It’s like teaching a kid to ride a bike — sometimes they just need a little guidance to avoid the falls! @e_griffin56, what’s your experience with client tutorials?
One thing that’s worked for me is implementing a checklist system directly in the client portal, so clients can tick off what’s done. This way, it keeps everything organized and reduces confusion. Have you thought about integrating some kind of tracking feature?
Using visual cues in your checklist can really help clients stay oriented. I’ve found adding color-coded sections for urgent versus non-urgent items keeps things clear and minimizes confusion. Have you considered testing that approach?