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South Texas Federal Credit Union Improves Collections Efficiency with Lexop

Case Study
south texas fcu
South Texas FCU improved collections efficiency by implementing Lexop’s automated email and SMS reminders, achieving a 51% increase in collections. The credit union scaled outreach without hiring additional staff while providing members with flexible, convenient payment options.

Overview

Based in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas Federal Credit Union serves the broader community of Hidalgo County. Faced with rising delinquencies, they needed a way to manage collections without hiring additional employees.


Additionally, The Atlantic FCU found that handling minor delinquencies, such as those 16 to 59 days past due, took up more time than it was worth. The collections team spent valuable time on routine tasks, like following up on minor delinquencies, which didn’t significantly impact the credit union’s financial performance.

Cost of Loan Servicing

“We were doing more work than we were seeing in payments. Most members don’t answer calls, so we needed a more effective way to reach them.”

lilly
Lilly MegiasSenior Vice President, South Texas FCU
SOLUTION

The Challenge

Before implementing Lexop, South Texas FCU’s outreach process began on day 11 of delinquency. Their collections process relied on manual tasks, including phone calls, individual text messages, and demand letters for severely delinquent accounts. This manual process was time-consuming, and many members were unavailable during traditional business hours, further complicating collection efforts. The credit union needed a solution to automate and streamline outreach, allowing the team to reach members earlier and manage rising delinquencies more effectively.

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“The Friday SMS reminder is where we see the most payments. Members often tell us it’s convenient for them to get the reminder right before the weekend.”

Cynthia MorenoCollector, South Texas FCU

The Solution

Lexop allowed South Texas FCU to automate its collections process, enabling the team to send both email and SMS reminders as early as day zero. This proactive approach ensured that members received timely, friendly reminders of upcoming payments, improving the chances of resolving past-due balances before the end of the grace period. 

South Texas FCU implemented targeted campaigns for different delinquency stages:

  • 0–30 Days Delinquent: Initial outreach begins with email and SMS reminders.
  • 30–60 Days Delinquent: Communications intensify with a focus on resolving accounts before they become severely delinquent.
  • 60+ Days Delinquent: More personalized messaging is used to engage members and encourage payment.

Members in these segments are run through tailored communication sequences:

  • Day 0: Email reminders are sent as soon as a payment is missed.
  • Days 1–5: SMS reminders with payment links are sent to members, particularly targeting those who are unavailable during the day.
  • Days 6–10: A second round of emails and SMS reminders is sent.
  • Days 11+: Automated reminders continue for more delinquent accounts, while collectors focus on complex cases like repossessions.

This segmentation and sequence-based approach allows South Texas FCU to scale outreach as delinquencies rise, ensuring no missed opportunities for engagement while freeing staff to focus on complex cases like repossessions.
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"The fact that our members can make payments at any time with just a link has made a huge difference in our ability to collect on time. The system has allowed us to scale our outreach as delinquencies increased, without having to add new staff. That’s been crucial to keeping us efficient.”

lilly
Lilly MegiasSenior Vice President, South Texas FCU

Results and Business Impact

  • $7.70 ROI per $1 Spent: South Texas FCU generated approximately $7.70 in collections for every $1 spent on Lexop, covering the cost of the solution multiple times within six months.

  • 51% Increase in Collections: After refining their outreach sequences, including warm reminders during the grace period and automated SMS follow-ups, South Texas FCU saw a 51% increase in collections in the most recent quarter compared to their first.

  • Collector Empowerment: South Texas FCU’s collectors do not see Lexop as a threat to their roles. Instead, they view it as a valuable tool that complements their work, allowing members to make payments after business hours. This has enabled the collectors to do their jobs more efficiently during the day, without worrying about missed opportunities.

  • No Additional Staff Needed: Lexop’s automation allowed South Texas FCU to manage rising delinquencies without hiring additional collectors, freeing their team to focus on complex cases like repossessions.

  • Improved Reporting and Member Insights: The team can now see when members receive and open emails, providing full documentation of engagement. This transparency has improved how they monitor member behavior and optimize follow-up timing for better results.

  • Greater Member Satisfaction: Members have expressed appreciation for the convenience Lexop provides. Many no longer need to visit the branch during business hours or make a phone payment that incurs a $10 fee. By paying through the secure links sent via email or SMS, members have an easier, more flexible payment experience, fostering stronger relationships with the credit union.
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