Eastern Bank deployed an automated scorecard-based underwriting system for its Express Business Loan product, enabling small businesses in Massachusetts and New Hampshire to apply online and receive a credit decision in minutes or instantly. The system evaluates a fixed set of financial variables rather than requiring manual review for small-dollar loan applications.

According to American Banker reporting from 2016–2017, Eastern Bank built and tested the online lending platform through its Eastern Labs innovation unit before formally launching the Express Business Loan. The underwriting system uses a scorecard with a select number of variables—including the business owner's credit score, annual revenue, and industry characteristics—to make credit decisions automatically for loans up to $200,000. Eastern Bank also pursued licensing agreements with other regional banks to allow them to use the same technology platform.