SPARK 7.9.3 Release Notes and Webinar

The SPARK 7.9.3 release is planned for Saturday, June 24th. This update includes significant improvements to Documents and Checklists.

Please join us for a release webinar on Thursday, June 22nd at 11:00 AM CST, where you can see a demonstration and ask questions about the content of this release. Sign up for the release webinar using this link.

For a link to the recorded webinar, click here.

What's New

Introducing New & Improved Functionality for Documents & Checklists

We've been hard at work over the past several months researching and developing a new experience for Documents and Checklists in SPARK for internal users.

View Documents by Folder

In this release, we're introducing a new way to visualize documents. In addition to the standard list view, there is a folder view that offers an alternative way to sort documents.

Checklist mode

We've heard feedback in the past that users would like the option for more than three checklists on a package. We have built checklist mode into the Document List that allows you to transform any document view into a checklist. This feature is an addition, not a replacement for the existing Pre-Screen, Packaging, and Closing Checklists.

Side Panel for Document Placeholder Details

In addition to the existing document placeholder Actions menu, users will be able to access functionality for document placeholders in a side panel. This panel also includes easy access to Version History and Notes.

Document Request Workflow within the Document List

Users can now send ad hoc Document Requests without leaving the Documents List! This includes the ability to edit, accept, and reject Requests. Note that Document Requests sent from this feature will be limited to one assignee.

Electronic Signature Request Workflow within the Document List

Like Document Requests, we have also introduced the ability to create and manage DocuSign Electronic Signature Requests from the Document List.

Copy Document Placeholder

We've heard that users would love the option to copy a document placeholder within a package on an ad hoc basis. This option is now available as a shortcut to bypass the need to create a new placeholder from scratch.

Additional Documents Enhancements

• A version count is now visible for document placeholders from the document list (if more than 1 version) as well as the side panel.

• After bulk uploading documents, internal users now are presented with the option to immediately classify that list of documents.

• Users now have the option to include a .csv index file when downloading documents in bulk. Reach out to your CSM to configure this setting in your SPARK instance.

• When adding a placeholder to a Document List or Checklist, users will be prompted to choose a folder for that placeholder if it isn't already configured to appear in the current view.

What's Changed

Documents Changes

• The following areas of SPARK Documentation have been updated to utilize the new Documents user experience:

  • Document Checklists

  • Documents to E-Tran

  • Document Activities within Internal Information Requests

• The additional verification filters that have historically been available on Checklists only can also be utilized on the Document List (e.g. Show all missing signatures, Show all incomplete).

• The 'Generate Placeholders' action has been renamed to 'Refresh Placeholders'.

• Users now have the option to edit notes on a Document Placeholder.

• We have updated the process to upload documents to the Project Accounting and Insurance pages to align with other recently updated areas of SPARK.

• Completed documents are now hidden from the Applicant Portal documents page by default, but can be shown using a toggle. Documents that are missing or failed lender verification will be shown to applicants by default.

• If a default document view hasn't been set for applicants, the default view will now be 'By Business/Individual'.

Other Changes

• When Credit Memos are automatically approved as part of decision tracking, the document will now be marked as 'Signed' in SPARK.

• We've added the option to include the Total Project Amount in the Package Summary Section of a Credit Memo.

• We've updated LaserPro export filenames to exclude spaces.

• We've updated the logic for questions 3 and 4 of SBA Form 1920, Section J to allow the option for them to be left unchecked according to language in the SOP.

• Date of birth has been added to the Individuals API endpoint.

• We have updated the output of SBA form 1050 to include a borrower signature on page 1, keeping additional signatures on an addendum page if applicable.

• We have refined and simplified To Dos on Dashboards.

• We have added a number of fields to the Package Extract API:

  • Businesses: Annual Sales, Current FTEs, Jobs Created, Jobs Retained

  • Individuals: Ethnicity, Veteran Status, Gender Identity, Disability, Sexual Orientation

  • Sources: Prepayment Penalty, Rate Floor / Ceiling, Late Fees

  • Decision Dates and Outcomes

• We are continuing our phased process to improve the digital accessibility of the Applicant Portal. This release includes updates to Profile Settings and Information Requests.

What's Been Fixed

• An error no longer occurs on the Credit Memo and in Financial Analysis if a primary business has a debt schedule and a pro forma DSC statement without a primary financing source. The Pro Forma DSC now appears as expected in Financial Analysis or in a Credit Memo.

• The E-Tran Documents page now loads as expected when a document that was previously sent to the SBA is deleted from the package.

• Stage change webhooks now function as expected when a package is reverted to a previous stage or when the stage is updated manually on the Package Edit page.

• An error no longer appears when ordering a LexisNexis report for individuals and businesses with invalid zip codes.

• Users can now mark LexisNexis verification issues as "In Progress" or "Rejected" as expected.

• The SPARK dialog box now closes as expected when clearing a profile image.

• The package lists on your personal homepage now appear as expected when viewed from a mobile device.

• Loans with an adjustment period of 'Every __ Months' now appear as expected in the applicant portal.

• API requests that request an invalid page (e.g., a page of 0) no longer generate an error message.

• API requests to download documents for document placeholders that did not have a valid document attached no longer result in an error message.

• Two-factor authentication now functions as expected for area codes based in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

• We've updated the SBA Form 601 generated in SPARK to use a clearer version.

Find Out More

Stay tuned for the latest features and subscribe to your favorite categories. You can view our product roadmap at any time here.

If you have any feedback or questions about this release, please reach out to your Customer Success Manager or email us at support@lendwithspark.com. Your feedback will help us make SPARK the best loan origination software in the market!