The digital transformation of the financial services industry has led to the adoption of many tools that improve efficiencies, accelerate transactions and enhance the customer experience. Today, electronic signatures are one of the most popular applications for streamlining document management processes.
AgDirect is among the leaders bringing this technology to the forefront of the ag equipment lending landscape.
“Using eSign is about being simple, fast and flexible,” says Josh Zielke, vice president of AgDirect operations. “At AgDirect, our dealers and customers are always top of mind. That’s why we strive to keep pace with trends in technology.”
Going digital
Using eSign, customers can count on quicker closing and funding for their equipment needs thanks to a seamless financing process that can take place at the dealership, online or using a mobile device.
According to Zielke, users on both ends of the transaction process are quickly realizing the benefits of going digital.
“First-time users appreciate the speed and convenience,” he says. “One of the biggest benefits of eSign is that documents can be signed at home, from the tractor cab or anywhere. That’s a big win for producers who don’t live close to their dealership.”
Another advantage of eSign is that multiple customers can sign from multiple locations.
“From small operations to larger entities, eSign can accommodate remote signatures no matter how many parties are involved or where they are located,” says Zielke. “Rather than emailing, faxing or mailing documents around the country, eSign allows every signer to authorize the transaction at the same time, and it notifies the AgDirect financing team when the process is complete.”
“Internally, we are spending less time collecting original documents, processing paperwork or following up for information,” he adds. “It’s also made dealers more efficient and reduced their costs because they are spending less time handling paperwork as well.”
Early adopters
Since the pilot program was launched in March 2018, more than 740 AgDirect dealer locations have started using eSign.
Rob Randall of Randall Brothers, a farm equipment dealer based in Holgate, Ohio, says the tool has made a big impact in his team’s daily interactions with customers.
“Getting financing for customers is one of the most challenging aspects of the business, but eSign has made the process quick, simple and easy,” says Randall.
“Everyone who has used eSign with us has been very happy with the experience,” he says. “Plus, it helps our business stay competitive by saving us time that we used to spend chasing down signatures.”
While some producers have been hesitant to try eSign, Zielke says the tool is a safer, and more secure method for capturing customer signatures.
“eSign documents are encrypted and there is a complete audit trail of the routing process from the point it is signed to when it is returned,” he explains. “As a result, electronic signatures are more enforceable from a legal aspect than ink-signed documents.”
“Ultimately, eSign allows dealers and producers to spend less time worrying about machinery financing, and more time focusing on their day-to-day operations.”
To learn more about AgDirect and eSign, locate your nearest AgDirect territory manager or contact the AgDirect financing team at 888-525-9805.