Using artificial intelligence and automation to digitize and upgrade banking processes is the new imperative for banks and credit unions. They have come to realize that becoming truly digital institutions requires much more than offering a mobile banking app, or turning paper files into digital files. Digital transformation requires a much more comprehensive approach. One of the most challenging areas is in lending, the bread and butter of banking. Where loan originations used to take place in a face-to-face meeting between a banker and client -- taking upwards of two to three hours (depending on the type of loan) -- they are now taking place online and on mobile phones.