Abstract: A method is provided for the real-time automatic determination of the approval status of a potential borrower of a loan. The method of acquiring information from the potential borrower includes the steps of (1) detecting the change in a data stream of a trunk link routed telephone call; (2) answering the call initiated by the potential borrower; (3) determining the DNIS; (4) choosing a proper lender script from a library; (5) starting the script, the script being a series of pre-recorded voice messages which are questions, statements and/or instructions; (6) receiving the DTMF tones transmitted by the telephone keypad button pressed by the caller in response to a question; (7) translating the tones into the numerical values; (8) storing the values in a data processor; (9) terminating the call; and, (10) resetting the system for the next call.