Fern Software
Fern Software provides specialized core banking and loan management solutions designed specifically for microfinance institutions, credit unions, and social enterprises to manage financial inclusion effectively.
Loan Performer
Loan Performer is a specialized microfinance banking software designed to help you manage loans, savings, shares, and accounting within a single integrated platform for financial institutions.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Fern Software | Loan Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Website | fernsoftware.com | loanperformer.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | One_time |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | $99/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1979 | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Belfast, United Kingdom | Kampala, Uganda |
Overview
Fern Software
Fern Software offers a flexible core banking platform that helps you manage the entire lifecycle of loans and savings products. Whether you are running a credit union, a microfinance institution, or a development bank, you can automate your back-office operations and focus more on serving your clients. The system handles everything from client onboarding and credit scoring to automated repayments and regulatory reporting.
You can choose between cloud-based or on-premise deployments depending on your infrastructure needs. The platform is built to support social high-impact lenders, allowing you to track social performance metrics alongside financial data. By using their integrated modules, you can reduce manual errors, speed up loan processing times, and provide your field officers with mobile tools to reach remote areas.
Loan Performer
Loan Performer is a comprehensive management information system built specifically for microfinance institutions, credit unions, and SACCOs. You can automate your entire operational workflow, from initial client registration and loan application processing to complex interest calculations and regulatory reporting. The software helps you maintain tight control over your portfolio by tracking repayments in real-time and generating automated delinquency alerts to minimize financial risk.
You can choose between local desktop installations or cloud-based deployment depending on your infrastructure needs. The platform supports multi-currency transactions and multi-language interfaces, making it a flexible choice if you operate across different regions. By integrating your front-office banking activities with back-office accounting, you eliminate manual data entry and ensure your financial statements always reflect your current portfolio status.
Overview
Fern Software Features
- Loan Portfolio Management Track your entire loan lifecycle from application to final repayment with automated interest calculations and schedule tracking.
- Member & Client Tracking Maintain detailed digital profiles of your members, including their financial history, group affiliations, and required KYC documentation.
- Automated Accounting Generate real-time financial statements and general ledger entries automatically whenever a transaction occurs in your banking system.
- Mobile Field Automation Equip your field officers with mobile tools to collect payments and register new clients even in remote locations.
- Social Performance Reporting Measure your social impact by tracking non-financial data points that align with international development and inclusion standards.
- Flexible Product Builder Create custom loan and savings products quickly by defining your own interest rates, fees, and repayment frequencies.
Loan Performer Features
- Loan Portfolio Management. Track every stage of the loan lifecycle from application to final payout with automated interest and penalty calculations.
- Savings and Shares. Manage member savings accounts and share capital easily while calculating dividends and interest based on your specific rules.
- Integrated General Ledger. Automatically post all your banking transactions to the accounting module to keep your balance sheets accurate and up-to-date.
- Mobile Money Integration. Connect your system to mobile payment providers so your clients can deposit savings or repay loans directly from their phones.
- Regulatory Reporting. Generate standard central bank reports and internal financial statements with a few clicks to stay compliant with local laws.
- Biometric Identification. Secure your client transactions using fingerprint scanning to prevent identity fraud and ensure only authorized users access accounts.
Pricing Comparison
Fern Software Pricing
Loan Performer Pricing
- Full module access
- Single concurrent user
- Local database support
- Standard reporting tools
- Email technical support
- Everything in Single User, plus:
- Multiple concurrent users
- Wide Area Network support
- Branch synchronization
- SQL Server database support
Pros & Cons
Fern Software
Pros
- Highly specialized for microfinance and credit union workflows
- Supports social impact tracking alongside financial metrics
- Flexible deployment options including offline-capable mobile tools
- Strong focus on regulatory compliance in diverse regions
Cons
- Pricing is not transparent for small startups
- Interface can feel complex for non-technical staff
- Implementation requires significant initial configuration time
Loan Performer
Pros
- Extremely detailed functionality tailored for microfinance
- Strong compliance with international accounting standards
- Works reliably in areas with low internet connectivity
- Supports a wide variety of loan products
Cons
- Interface feels dated compared to modern web apps
- Initial configuration requires significant technical expertise
- Steep learning curve for non-technical staff