BayFirst processes a year's loan volume in just two months

Company: BayFirst (formerly First Home Bank)
Industry: SBA Lending
Location: Florida, USA
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"FileInvite has delivered massive efficiency gains for us - huge time savings that we never would have been able to achieve without it. Sometimes there is an opportunity to work smarter rather than harder."

 — Matt Nicolosi, VP and Director of Strategic Growth Initiatives, BayFirst 
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6x faster

Equivalent of a full year's loan volume processed in just two months 

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9,000+

loan inquiries processed in the
first four months

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2+hrs

saved per application through automation 

Summary

 BayFirst is a top 10 U.S. SBA lender operating across all 50 states with a network of over 1,000 active brokers. Facing a surge in loan demand, they implemented FileInvite to replace manual, email-based document collection — and processed more loans in two months than they had previously managed in a full year. 

Challenge

BayFirst's loan processing relied entirely on manual methods: email threads, in-branch document drop-offs, and informal checklists. Staff spent hours matching documents to requirements, borrowers regularly arrived without key paperwork, and large email attachments created friction on both sides. When PPP loan demand skyrocketed during the pandemic, the existing process simply couldn't scale. Leadership had little visibility into the pipeline until loans were already closed, making planning and decision-making difficult.

Action

BayFirst selected FileInvite for its ease of implementation and flexibility. The open API and SaaS model minimized IT involvement and enabled seamless integration with existing CRMs and lending systems. Automated follow-up workflows replaced manual email chasing, and built-in guided stages prompted loan officers to approve, reject, or request revisions at each step. Borrowers received a branded, intuitive client portal — no printing, scanning, or email attachments required. Management gained a real-time dashboard showing loan volume by branch and individual loan officer.