Chris Crawford, President Change may happen slowly in banking, but Applied Micro Technology, Inc. (AMT) is driving a new pace. Guided by seasoned industry leaders, this nimble company has been quietly building one of the most potent and practical automation platforms in banking; the LQAS platform.
While buzzwords like AI, digital transformation, and machine learning dominate conversations in financial services, AMT’s approach is rooted in tangible results and real-world needs. Its story began over forty years ago in loan operations, where the team saw firsthand the rising complexity of lending, the pressures of regulatory exams, and the inefficiencies draining bankers’ time and budgets. The company responded by creating tools that automated critical tasks without adding friction, and over time, these tools evolved into LQAS, a platform that now streamlines everything from loan grading and exception tracking to real-time exam prep, board reporting, committee presentations, and internal loan review.
Every aspect of the software is designed with purpose, built to solve real operational pain points rather than chase trends. That practical focus has helped AMT earn trust from a wide range of banks, including those with assets as small as $70 million or as large as $500 billion.
Turning Review Days into Seconds
The impact of LQAS is especially evident in loan review, where banks have long struggled with time-consuming processes. Traditionally, portfolio reviews required hiring third-party firms or devoting weeks for internal teams to complete the task. AMT’s system changes this dynamic entirely. In one recent case, a community bank that needed three to four weeks of staff time to review its entire loan portfolio saw LQAS complete it in only a few seconds. The time savings are so significant that several banks are now reconsidering their reliance on third-party review services. One former examiner, now managing a client institution, is looking into the possibility to shift entirely to LQAS for loan grading and initial write-ups.
The system does not remove people from the process but amplifies their value. Experienced lenders can easily review LQAS’s output, edit grades, and refine commentary. What once required a team of analysts now takes one person, only a few minutes of proofreading. A relationship review that previously consumed three hours can now be checked in under five minutes. This is not theoretical. It is happening in banks today.
AMT has also streamlined the surrounding processes. Reports that previously took hours to prepare, including committee presentations, borrower exception summaries, board packages, and officer performance reviews, are now generated in seconds. For bankers managing multiple reporting cycles, examiner visits, or investor scrutiny, this translates into a leaner, faster, and more confident workflow.
Try It First, Then Decide
That same confidence in the platform also informs AMT’s refreshingly open sales philosophy: try it first, and then decide. Unlike most software vendors offering stripped-down demos or short-term trials, AMT allows banks to run the complete LQAS platform live in production for four months. There are no cut features, no limited access, and full support is included.
The offer is even more generous on the imaging side. If a bank is already locked into a document imaging contract, AMT allows them to use LQAS imaging entirely for free until their current agreement expires. One client recently took advantage of this offer and operated with no-cost access for two years before transitioning. That kind of flexibility is nearly unheard of in the software industry, and it’s not just a promotional tactic.
We’re not here to pressure banks into a sale. We’d rather allow them to see if our solution works in their environment. They’ll come on board if it does what we say it will. And that’s what keeps happening
The decision to adopt this model emerged from a very real banking challenge. A prospective client needed a more modern solution but couldn’t justify paying for two imaging systems at once. AMT stepped in and proposed a simple solution: run both systems side by side on your timeline. The deal closed almost immediately, and that approach has now become standard practice.
“We’re not here to pressure banks into a sale,” says Chris Crawford, President. “We’d rather allow them to see if our solution works in their environment. They’ll come on board if it does what we say it will. And that’s what keeps happening.”
The model reflects a more profound belief. If banks experience the time-saving potential of LQAS firsthand, they won’t go back. That trust in the product has turned into real momentum. Word of mouth is spreading. More banks are signing up. And with each new institution onboarded, AMT edges closer to its long-term goal of becoming the trusted operations layer across the banking landscape.
Building Trust Through Practical Innovation
AMT’s approach to innovation feels refreshingly human. The team does not push solutions; they solve problems. That same spirit led to the imaging transition offer described earlier, permeating every platform element. The imaging module, for example, goes far beyond traditional document storage. It features automatic indexing, intelligent tracking, and full support for paperless origination. Regulators can access remote loan and customer samples without needing IT support, and because everything integrates with the broader LQAS system, banks enjoy a smooth, end-to-end workflow.
Trusted by Banks of All Sizes
While AMT’s client base includes some of the country’s largest institutions, its platform has proven especially transformative for community banks. Institutions with assets ranging from $100 million to $400 million are using the LQAS system to gain efficiencies that were once considered out of reach.
Tasks that previously required hours or weeks have been reduced to seconds or minutes. Exam preparation, which once needed weeks, now takes approximately an hour. Loan Committee presentations are generated in under 20 seconds, while performance analysis for individual officers is completed in less than 30 seconds. Relationship-based exception reports are produced in 15 to 20 seconds, and sample review definitions are created in under five minutes.
The platform’s design also meets bankers wherever they work. AMT supports three versions of LQAS. The Windows version is being phased out, while the web browser version now serves as the primary interface and the first thing most users experience. An iPad version gives lenders full access to the bank’s portfolio while visiting customers. If a compliance issue or missing document is discovered, the lender can tap a button and instantly trigger an email to the borrower. In most cases, that message appears on the borrower’s phone or computer within seconds, clearly listing the documents or information required. The process is fast, direct, and highly effective.
Bankers using this feature have found it far more powerful than traditional follow-up methods. Rather than sending letters after the fact or placing calls days later, the system brings up the borrower’s details at the exact moment when the borrower is asking for something. This approach has helped banks resolve exceptions quickly and with much greater borrower cooperation.
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We don’t replace bankers. We help them get their evenings back
Two separate institutions reported a two-level improvement in CAMELS ratings within 18 months after implementing LQAS. When AMT followed up to understand how this happened, both banks pointed to the same feature. The ability to create borrower-specific exception reports within 10 seconds and act on them during real-time interactions helped drive consistent compliance and operational strength. One former examiner noted that while it is common to see CAMELS ratings drop rapidly, it is almost unheard of for them to rise that quickly.
These improvements also ease staff workloads, reduce stress, and help prevent burnout. More importantly, they allow experienced professionals to redirect their energy toward strategy, relationship management, and sound decision-making. In regions where banks are being asked to do more with fewer resources, these shifts can mark the difference between maintaining momentum and falling behind.
Building on these benefits, the technology itself continues to evolve. AMT is constantly refining the intelligence behind LQAS. As new regulatory priorities emerge or client needs grow, the team adapts, driven not by rigid product roadmaps but by the realities that bankers face. This responsiveness is one reason so many clients stay with the company and speak about it with genuine enthusiasm.
More Than a System. A Banking Philosophy.
Spend time talking with AMT’s leadership, and it becomes clear that this company is about more than automation. They believe in giving banks their time back, reducing reliance on outside consultants, and building systems that reflect how community banks really work rather than forcing them to conform to someone else’s model.
The company’s history shapes this mindset. The founders are bankers. They have sat in the chairs, managed the reviews, and faced the regulators. Their empathy is reflected in the design of LQAS, which is neither flashy nor generic but deeply aligned with the rhythm of banking life.
As Crawford shared, “We don’t replace bankers. We help them get their evenings back.”
That thinking is rare in an industry where many vendors focus on selling complexity. AMT has chosen a different path. It makes the complex simple, brings clarity where there was noise, and does it all while staying close to the people it serves.
What AMT has built is a quiet revolution in how banks operate, deliver value, and prepare for the future. While the company may not always make headlines, its results speak louder than any marketing could—and Crawford welcomes direct conversations with bankers. He can be reached at ccrawford@LQAS.com and will gladly answer questions about the system or AMT.
