Improved collections
Each borrower is unique and so are the reasons they may default on their loan. Circumstances like divorce, illness, job loss, failed business and overextension of credit are some of the common, yet vastly different, reasons that borrowers default on their loans. What if you could automatically tailor your approach to collections based on the unique circumstances of each borrower?
This Chicago-based consumer finance company partnered with Ollion to build a machine-learning solution for improved collections to analyze unique borrower attributes, define segments and ultimately enable a more targeted collection strategy based on individual borrowers.
Overview
THE CHALLENGE
A consumer finance company wanted an effective way to target delinquent borrowers based on their unique circumstances.
THE SOLUTION
The Ollion data science team developed a machine learning solution for improved collections, defining and segmenting customers based on a variety of factors.
THE OUTCOME
The net result was an improvement in our client’s collection rate, a reduction in their net charge-off rate and a significant improvement in profitability.
The challenge
Historically, our client had been reasonably successful in their collections strategy by segmenting and targeting delinquent borrowers solely by the number of days they were past due. When the client realized that changes to their approach could lead to nearly $1 million annually in additional collections for each reduction in their net charge-off rate, they sought out a solution to make that happen.
Their goal was to develop and implement a data science strategy that could:
- Analyze different attributes and dimensions, including demographics, preferred contact methods, past payment history, geography, etc.
- Define borrower segments based on common attributes and circumstances.
- Use machine learning and predictive modeling to define and deliver a custom communications strategy for each segment.
Making an impact
Working closely with the client, the Ollion data science team developed an advanced analytics and machine learning solution to make it happen.
Step 1: Data collection and defining characteristics
Ollion’s data science team started by collecting account information such as loan characteristics, borrower demographics and historical transactions to generate a rich set of descriptors. Our team then pre-processed the data by ensuring the validity and consistency of data points and used the raw data to engineer highly informative measurements.
Step 2: Calculating the risk score
Using a supervised machine learning technique, this data was correlated with historical default information to generate a risk score for each borrower.
Step 3: Borrower segmentation
Using open-source machine learning implementations and cluster analysis, the risk score was combined with additional indicators to identify segments in the borrower base.
Step 4: Defining the profiles
Utilizing unsupervised learning, Ollion extracted seven representative profiles (prototypes) of borrowers based on which collection strategies could be devised. Each of the borrowers was then assigned to the prototype it resembled the most.
The outcome
The seven borrower prototypes empowered the client to customize collection strategies based on each prototype’s unique circumstances. The collections team was able to optimize communication schedules, tactics and messaging to increase the chances that their collection efforts would be successful. They were also able to use this information to prioritize higher-risk prototypes and provide context for their clients. The net result of this machine-learning solution for improved collections was a reduced net charge-off rate with a significant improvement in profitability.
