The Credit Decision Defensibility Standard
A defensible credit decision can be reconstructed, justified, and proven against the policy, authority, exception, evidence, and audit standards in force at the moment of decision. This is the standard CreditAxis tests against.
Twelve standard areas
The CreditAxis standard organizes credit decision defensibility into twelve testable areas. Each area has a published definition, a method of test, and the type of evidence required for a defensible answer.
AI Assistance Labeled Non-Decisional
AI_GOVERNANCEAny AI assistance is explicitly labeled as non-decisional.
Approval Actor Identified
AUTHORITYThe individual approver(s) and their role(s) at the time of decision are identifiable.
Authority Path Clear
AUTHORITYThe authority that approved the decision is traceable to a written authority matrix.
Board/Risk Summary Possible
REPORTINGA board-level summary can be produced for the decision.
Covenant Logic Present
METRICSCovenant logic and tests are defined and traceable.
Exception Approval Evidence Present
EXCEPTIONEach exception has evidence of the approving authority and rationale.
Exception Identified
EXCEPTIONAny exceptions to policy are flagged with rationale.
Final Decision Rationale Present
RATIONALEThe final rationale for approval, denial, or modification is written and intelligible.
Financial Metrics Reproducible
METRICSKey financial metrics can be reproduced from underlying data.
Policy Version Present
POLICYThe policy version effective at decision time can be identified and produced.
Audit Replay Possible
AUDITThe decision can be replayed end-to-end from the captured record.
Supporting Evidence Present
EVIDENCESupporting evidence is captured and referenced from the decision record.
What CreditAxis is not
CreditAxis is not a loan origination system. It is not a core banking system. It does not replace, integrate into, or write back to those systems. It does not approve credit. It does not price loans. It does not close loans. It does not contact applicants or customers. AI is assistive only.