Navigating the process of securing a housing loan can be a daunting experience—endless forms, multiple deadlines, and a maze of bank communications. But thanks to a dedicated and innovative team, our customers are about to experience a game-changing improvement: the Housing Loans Portal.

A Unique Feature Pushing the Bank Forward

The Housing Loans Portal empowers users with a centralized, self-service tool to track their application status, view required documents, and stay updated on any outstanding issues. This new feature isn’t just about improving user experience—it’s transforming how housing loans are handled in the banking sector. Unlike many competitors, this solution eliminates manual processes and provides unmatched clarity for customers. No more hidden costs, no guessing games—just transparency and peace of mind. Customers are more confident and independent, while the company benefits from automated operations, significant cost savings, and fewer customer service inquiries. “Other banks don’t have this,” Mel shared proudly. “We’re truly pushing the bank forward.” And while fewer people might apply for loans, those loans represent large sums—meaning substantial business value for the bank.

Building Fast, Smart, and Secure

The development journey of the Housing Loans Portal was both challenging and rewarding. One of the key decisions that drove progress was the decision to develop parts of the feature in parallel rather than waiting for perfect conditions. Although this required reworking some frontend elements, it enabled the team to deliver much faster. Key technical highlights included:

• Frontend and Backend Synchronization: The frontend was implemented before the API was fully ready, requiring iterative adjustments. The backend logic and API were mostly completed early, pushing rapid frontend refinement.
• Third-party Integration: Collaborations with third party providers posed challenges due to changes and occasional miscommunication. Yet, the team managed to stay aligned by being flexible and solution-oriented.
• Security First: Ensuring a highly secure environment remained a top priority, including seamless file upload protection.
• Language Adaptability: With a mix of German and non-German-speaking developers, live translation during calls became part of the workflow, showcasing the team's adaptability. “We want the most secure environment, the best UI, and an easier, better process,” Jerome emphasized.

Lessons Learned: Moving Fast Without Waiting for Perfection

One of the most valuable lessons the team learned was about balancing speed and adaptability. “If a feature isn’t perfectly defined upfront, you have to redo a lot,” Mel explained. “But that’s okay—it means we can deliver faster.” This agile approach proved to be efficient, enabling the team to make impressive progress despite dependencies on third-party components. “We’re proud not just of the feature, but of how efficiently we executed it. Delivering this fast is exceptional,” said Pablo proudly.

Celebrating Success and Looking Ahead

As the project nears its MVP launch, the excitement is palpable. Final testing and integration are underway, and despite the challenges, the team is confident that everything will be ready on schedule. “It’s like a baby,” Pablo laughed. “The real work starts when it’s done. But it’s such a great feeling when you can contribute to something that meets the bank’s complex standards.” This achievement represents more than just the delivery of a new feature—it’s a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and determination. By embracing challenges and focusing on solutions, the team has set a new benchmark for what’s possible in the financial services sector.

This article was co-created by Mel Grosser, Frontend Developer, Jerome Pasvantis, Backend Developer and Anja-Kristin Lorke, Employee Relations & Communication Manager. It was written during development, the feature is already live and kicking <3