Geocode

Prerequisite

RATA Geocoding is installed.

Geocoding is the process of converting addresses, such as street addresses, into geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude), which is used to place markers on a map or position the map. The geocoding allows lenders to determine if a loan is located in a low to moderate-income tract, which can enable originators to ask for higher premium pricing when selling their loans on the secondary market. 

The RATA geocoding integration is introduced to help FIs meet the legal requirement to report information on loans. This integration allows FIs to enter a street address and then determines the census tract. When an address is not found, the mapping feature enables the user to determine the collateral location based on known landmarks without resorting to a paper map. The system also provides Census demographic information about a particular census tract, including income, population, and housing data. Institutions use this information to assess whether they are meeting the credit needs of the communities in which they operate.

RATA supports multiple APIs methods that return different data sets. The following are the supported APIs:

• Token Generation: This is the only API call that doesn't require an access token.

  • If called with a username and password, the system authenticates and accesses the user with a refreshed token.

  • If called with a refresh token, the token is authenticated, and a new access token is returned.

• Geocodes: Addresses are geocoded using as much data as possible that was passed in and using the Mode field in the request to specify how it can be processed and what is returned.This also provides demographics-related data. 

Workflow

The following image illustrates the workflow of APIs:

The following steps explain how to invoke, view details, and history for RATA geocoding integration:

Integration procedure

Prerequisites

Before you proceed to request RATA geocoding information, ensure that the following prerequisites are met:

• RATA package is Installed.

• RATA integration is activated.

Steps

To request RATA geocoding information:

1. Log in to your Salesforce account

2. Go to  (App Launcher) > Applications.

3. From the list of applications, select the required application ID. 

4. Go to the COLLATERAL tab.

5. Go to the Geocode section, and expand it.

   The Geocode section has the following actions:

   • New Geocode

   • Geocode History

     By default, the following Geocode details are displayed (if the users have already requested the New Geocode):

New Request

1. To request a new geocode, select New Geocode.

   

2. If you select Yes, Continue, a success message is displayed with the OK button.

3. Select OK.

   The Input Address, Matched Address, Geographic Data, and Demographic Data are displayed in the New Geocode window, and the respective details are displayed under each tab.

History 

1. To view the geocode history, select Geocode History.

   The Geocode History section displays two columns, namely Geocode Name and Created Date.

   

2. To search location demographic information, go to the search box and specify the name of the Geocode. 

   The Geocode Name column is a link. When you select it, the system displays the Geocode Details.

   

Errors 

For a detailed understanding of error handling messages, see the error messages section.