Sunk costs are like old milk in the fridge.
You’re pretty sure it’s turned the corner, but you’re afraid to open it.
Same for your legacy appraisal platform provider.
The longer you cling to “the way we’ve always done it,” the more expensive your loyalty becomes.
Your team has been frustrated…for a long time.
In systems that aren’t supported like an enterprise platforms should.
Why?
Because you’re afraid to admit you’re at the end of a relationship. Afraid of change.
But recognizing it now gives you the power to lead forward.
Move forward smarter and without the weight of yesterday’s decisions.
Not in abstract economic terms, but in the very human way we cling to things that no longer serve us.
You’re stuck.
But what if holding on is costing you more than letting go?
• Name the bias. “It sounds like you’re holding on because of what you’ve already spent, not because it’s the right decision going forward.”
• Reframe the facts. “You’ve been with your provider for 12 years. Is tenure the metric that matters most now?”
You know the signs:
• Frustrated team that doesn’t get the support they need.
• Manual work arounds due to outdated workflows.
• Lagging SLAs.
• Your provider is monetizing your data.
• Falling behind on new tech like AI administrative reviews.
To break the loop, create clear:
• Decision points that force forward motion.
• Entrance/exit criteria for platform provider.
• Define acceptable vendor accountability.
• Identify operational risk of current department performance.
Assurance with other smart, credible peers* that have already vetted YouConnect can bring confidence.
* Gary Ray, Chief Appraiser First Horizon. “A true partnership working to be successful.”
* Katherine Owen, SVP, Credit Manager, Umpqua Bank. “Waiting weeks, months, years to make a change in your system of record is not an acceptable way to do business.”
* Scott Taylor, Chief Appraiser, Cadence Bank, “Far superior to the legacy platform.”
You’re the chief appraiser.
That means courage to upgrade, offboard and move on when needed.
So here’s the question you should be asking yourself:
What’re you dragging behind you that should’ve been cut loose years ago?
Throw away the old milk.
Help your bank let go to move forward.
