diff --git a/adding-goals-and-tools.md b/adding-goals-and-tools.md
index 910b39d..6ec806a 100644
--- a/adding-goals-and-tools.md
+++ b/adding-goals-and-tools.md
@@ -4,9 +4,10 @@ The agent is set up to allow for multiple goals and to switch back to choosing a
 It may be helpful to review the [architecture](./architecture.md) for a guide and definition of goals, tools, etc.
 
 ## Adding a New Goal Category
-Goal Categories lets you pick which groups of goals to show. Set via an .env setting, GOAL_CATEGORIES.
+Goal Categories lets you pick which groups of goals to show. Set via an .env setting, `GOAL_CATEGORIES`. 
+Even if you don't intend to use the goal in a multi-goal scenario, goal categories are useful for others.
 1. Pick a unique one that has some business meaning
-2. Use it in your .env file
+2. Use it in your [.env](./.env) file
 3. Add to [.env.example](./.env.example)
 4. Use it in your Goal definition, see below.
 
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ tools=[
 
 ## Adding Tools
 
-### Optional Tools
+### Note on Optional Tools
 Tools can be optional - you can indicate this in the tool listing of goal description (see above section re: goal registry) by adding something like, "This step is optional and can be skipped by moving to the next tool." Here is an example from an older iteration of the `goal_hr_schedule_pto` goal, when it was going to have an optional step to check for existing calendar conflicts:
 
 ```
@@ -84,4 +85,15 @@ There are three ways to manage confirmation of tool runs:
         ),
 ```
 If you really want to wait for user confirmation, record it on the workflow (as a Signal) and not rely on the LLM to probably get it, use option #3. 
-I recommend exploring all three. For a demo, I would decide if you want the Arguments confirmation in the UI, and if not I'd generally go with option #2 but use #3 for tools that make business sense to confirm, e.g. those tools that take action/write data.
\ No newline at end of file
+I recommend exploring all three. For a demo, I would decide if you want the Arguments confirmation in the UI, and if not I'd generally go with option #2 but use #3 for tools that make business sense to confirm, e.g. those tools that take action/write data.
+
+## Add a Goal & Tools Checklist
+[  ] Add goal in [/tools/goal_registry.py](tools/goal_registry.py) <br />
+- [  ] If a new category, add Goal Category to [.env](./.env)  and [.env.example](./.env.example)  <br />
+- [  ] don't forget the goal list at the bottom of the [goal_registry.py](tools/goal_registry.py) <br />
+
+[  ] Add Tools listed in the Goal Registry to the  [tool_registry.py](tools/tool_registry.py)  <br />
+[  ] Define your tools as Activities in `/tools` <br />
+[  ] Add your tools to [tool list](tools/__init__.py) in the tool get_handler() <br />
+
+And that's it! Happy AI Agent building!
diff --git a/setup.md b/setup.md
index a31df80..a94f989 100644
--- a/setup.md
+++ b/setup.md
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ dotnet run
 ```
 If you're running your train API above on a different host/port then change the API URL in `Program.cs`. Otherwise, be sure to run it using `python thirdparty/train_api.py`.
 
-#### Goals: FIN/Money Movement
+#### Goals: FIN - Money Movement and Loan Application
 Make sure you have the mock users you want (such as yourself) in [the account mock data file](./tools/data/customer_account_data.json).
 
 - `AGENT_GOAL=goal_fin_move_money` - This scenario _can_ initiate a secondary workflow to move money. Check out [this repo](https://github.com/temporal-sa/temporal-money-transfer-java) - you'll need to get the worker running and connected to the same account as the agentic worker. 
@@ -200,6 +200,11 @@ By default it will _not_ make a real workflow, it'll just fake it. If you get th
 ```bash
 FIN_START_REAL_WORKFLOW=FALSE #set this to true to start a real workflow
 ```
+- `AGENT_GOAL=goal_fin_loan_application` - This scenario _can_ initiate a secondary workflow to apply for a loan. Check out [this repo](https://github.com/temporal-sa/temporal-latency-optimization-scenarios) - you'll need to get the worker running and connected to the same account as the agentic worker. 
+By default it will _not_ make a real workflow, it'll just fake it. If you get the worker running and want to start a workflow, in your [.env](./.env):
+```bash
+FIN_START_REAL_WORKFLOW=FALSE #set this to true to start a real workflow
+
 
 #### Goals: HR/PTO
 Make sure you have the mock users you want in (such as yourself) in [the PTO mock data file](./tools/data/employee_pto_data.json).
diff --git a/todo.md b/todo.md
index b43dd41..f67239e 100644
--- a/todo.md
+++ b/todo.md
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@
 - Portfolio Management and Rebalancing - The AI monitors a customer’s investment portfolio, rebalancing it automatically based on market trends, risk tolerance, and financial goals (e.g., shifting assets between stocks, bonds, or crypto).<br />
 
 [ ] new loan/fraud check/update with start <br />
+[ ] financial advise - args being freeform customer input about their financial situation, goals
+    [ ] tool is maybe a new tool asking the LLM to advise
+
 [ ] LLM failure->autoswitch: <br />
     - detect failure in the activity using failurecount <br />
     - activity switches to secondary LLM defined in .env
diff --git a/tools/__init__.py b/tools/__init__.py
index 61d3545..e7df76c 100644
--- a/tools/__init__.py
+++ b/tools/__init__.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ from .hr.checkpaybankstatus import checkpaybankstatus
 from .fin.check_account_valid import check_account_valid
 from .fin.get_account_balances import get_account_balance
 from .fin.move_money import move_money
+from .fin.submit_loan_application import submit_loan_application
 
 from .give_hint import give_hint
 from .guess_location import guess_location
@@ -53,7 +54,9 @@ def get_handler(tool_name: str):
     if tool_name == "FinCheckAccountBalance":
         return get_account_balance    
     if tool_name == "FinMoveMoneyOrder":
-        return move_money    
+        return move_money
+    if tool_name == "FinCheckAccountSubmitLoanApproval":
+        return submit_loan_application    
     if tool_name == "GiveHint":
         return give_hint
     if tool_name == "GuessLocation":
diff --git a/tools/fin/move_money.py b/tools/fin/move_money.py
index 1f17f3e..f9569b7 100644
--- a/tools/fin/move_money.py
+++ b/tools/fin/move_money.py
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ class MoneyMovementWorkflowParameterObj:
 # this assumes it's a valid account - use check_account_valid() to verify that first
 async def move_money(args: dict) -> dict:
     
-    print("in move_money")
     account_key = args.get("accountkey")
     account_type: str = args.get("accounttype")
     amount = args.get("amount")
diff --git a/tools/fin/submit_loan_application.py b/tools/fin/submit_loan_application.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4093ec0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/fin/submit_loan_application.py
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+from datetime import date, timedelta
+import os
+from pathlib import Path
+import json
+from temporalio.client import (
+    Client,
+    WithStartWorkflowOperation,
+    WorkflowHandle,
+    WorkflowUpdateFailedError,
+)
+from temporalio import common
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Optional
+import asyncio
+from temporalio.exceptions import WorkflowAlreadyStartedError
+from shared.config import get_temporal_client
+
+
+# Define data structures to match the Java workflow's expected input/output
+# see https://github.com/temporal-sa/temporal-latency-optimization-scenarios for more details
+@dataclass
+class TransactionRequest:
+    amount: float
+    sourceAccount: str
+    targetAccount: str
+
+@dataclass
+class TxResult:
+    transactionId: str
+    status: str
+
+#demonstrate starting a workflow and early return pattern while the workflow continues
+async def submit_loan_application(args: dict) -> dict:
+    account_key = args.get("accountkey")
+    amount = args.get("amount")
+
+    loan_status: dict = await start_workflow(amount=amount,account_name=account_key)
+
+    if loan_status.get("error") is None:
+        return {'status': loan_status.get("loan_application_status"), 'detailed_status': loan_status.get("application_details"), 'next_step': loan_status.get("advisement"), 'confirmation_id': loan_status.get("transaction_id")}  
+    else:
+        print(loan_status)
+        return loan_status
+    
+
+# Async function to start workflow
+async def start_workflow(amount: str, account_name: str, )-> dict:
+ 
+    # Connect to Temporal 
+    client = await get_temporal_client()
+    start_real_workflow = os.getenv("FIN_START_REAL_WORKFLOW")
+    if start_real_workflow is not None and start_real_workflow.lower() == "false":
+        START_REAL_WORKFLOW = False
+        return {'loan_application_status': "applied", 'application_details': "loan application is submitted and initial validation is complete",'transaction_id': "APPLICATION"+account_name, 'advisement': "You'll receive a confirmation for final approval in three business days", }  
+    else:
+        START_REAL_WORKFLOW = True
+    
+        # Define the workflow ID and task queue
+        workflow_id = "LOAN_APPLICATION-"+account_name+"-"+date.today().strftime('%Y-%m-%d')
+        task_queue = "LatencyOptimizationTEST"
+
+        # Create a TransactionRequest (matching the Java workflow's expected input)
+        tx_request = TransactionRequest(
+            amount=float(amount),
+            targetAccount=account_name,
+            sourceAccount=account_name,
+        )
+
+        start_op = WithStartWorkflowOperation(
+            "TransactionWorkflowLocalBeforeUpdate",
+            tx_request,
+            id=workflow_id,
+            id_conflict_policy=common.WorkflowIDConflictPolicy.USE_EXISTING,
+            task_queue=task_queue,
+        )
+
+        try:
+            print("trying update-with-start")
+            tx_result = TxResult(
+                await client.execute_update_with_start_workflow(
+                    "returnInitResult",
+                    start_workflow_operation=start_op,
+                )
+            )
+        except WorkflowUpdateFailedError:
+            print("aww man got exception WorkflowUpdateFailedError" )
+            tx_result = None
+            return_msg = "Loan could not be processed for " + account_name
+            return {"error": return_msg}
+
+        workflow_handle = await start_op.workflow_handle()
+        print(tx_result)
+
+        print(f"Update result: Transaction ID = {tx_result.transactionId}, Message = {tx_result.status}")
+
+        # Optionally, wait for the workflow to complete and get the final result
+        # final_result = await handle.result()
+        # print(f"Workflow completed with result: {final_result}")
+
+
+        # return {'status': loan_status.get("loan_status"), 'detailed_status': loan_status.get("results"), 'next_step': loan_status.get("advisement"), 'confirmation_id': loan_status.get("workflowID")}  
+        return {'loan_application_status': "applied", 'application_details': "loan application is submitted and initial validation is complete",'transaction_id': tx_result.transactionId, 'advisement': "You'll receive a confirmation for final approval in three business days", }  
+    
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tools/goal_registry.py b/tools/goal_registry.py
index 19f62fb..95c329f 100644
--- a/tools/goal_registry.py
+++ b/tools/goal_registry.py
@@ -302,6 +302,7 @@ goal_fin_check_account_balances = AgentGoal(
 )
 
 # this tool checks account balances, and uses ./data/customer_account_data.json as dummy data
+# it also uses a separate workflow/tool, see ./setup.md for details
 goal_fin_move_money = AgentGoal(
     id = "goal_fin_move_money",
     category_tag="fin",
@@ -319,7 +320,7 @@ goal_fin_move_money = AgentGoal(
     starter_prompt=starter_prompt_generic,
     example_conversation_history="\n ".join(
         [
-            "user: I'd like transfer some money",
+            "user: I'd like to transfer some money",
             "agent: Sure! I can help you out with that. May I have account number and email address?",
             "user: account number is 11235813",
             "user_confirmed_tool_run: <user clicks confirm on FincheckAccountIsValid tool>",
@@ -340,6 +341,37 @@ goal_fin_move_money = AgentGoal(
     ),
 )
 
+# this starts a loan approval process
+# it also uses a separate workflow/tool, see ./setup.md for details #todo
+goal_fin_loan_application = AgentGoal(
+    id = "goal_fin_loan_application",
+    category_tag="fin",
+    agent_name="Easy Loan Apply",
+    agent_friendly_description="Initiate loan application.",   
+    tools=[
+        tool_registry.financial_check_account_is_valid,
+        tool_registry.financial_submit_loan_approval, #todo 
+    ],
+    description="The user wants to apply for a loan at the financial institution. To assist with that goal, help the user gather args for these tools in order: "
+    "1. FinCheckAccountIsValid: validate the user's account is valid"
+    "2. FinCheckAccountSubmitLoanApproval: submit the loan for approval",
+    starter_prompt=starter_prompt_generic,
+    example_conversation_history="\n ".join(
+        [
+            "user: I'd like to apply for a loan",
+            "agent: Sure! I can help you out with that. May I have account number for confirmation?",
+            "user: account number is 11235813",
+            "user_confirmed_tool_run: <user clicks confirm on FincheckAccountIsValid tool>",
+            "tool_result: { 'status': account valid }",
+            "agent: Great! We've validated your account. What will the loan amount be?",
+            "user: I'd like a loan for $500",
+            "user_confirmed_tool_run: <user clicks confirm on FinCheckAccountSubmitLoanApproval tool>",
+            "tool_result: { 'status': submitted, 'detailed_status': loan application is submitted and initial validation is complete, 'confirmation id': 333421, 'next_step': You'll receive a confirmation for final approval in three business days }",
+            "agent: I have submitted your loan application process and the initial validation is successful. Your application ID is 333421. You'll receive a notification for final approval from us in three business days. "
+        ]
+    ),
+)
+
 #Add the goals to a list for more generic processing, like listing available agents
 goal_list: List[AgentGoal] = []
 goal_list.append(goal_choose_agent_type)
@@ -351,6 +383,7 @@ goal_list.append(goal_hr_check_pto)
 goal_list.append(goal_hr_check_paycheck_bank_integration_status)
 goal_list.append(goal_fin_check_account_balances)
 goal_list.append(goal_fin_move_money)
+goal_list.append(goal_fin_loan_application)
 
 
 
diff --git a/tools/tool_registry.py b/tools/tool_registry.py
index 24fad84..c9b601b 100644
--- a/tools/tool_registry.py
+++ b/tools/tool_registry.py
@@ -316,4 +316,23 @@ financial_move_money = ToolDefinition(
             description="account number to move the money to",
         ),
     ],
+)
+
+financial_submit_loan_approval = ToolDefinition(
+    name="FinCheckAccountSubmitLoanApproval",
+    description="Submit a loan application. "
+    "Returns the loan status. ",
+    
+    arguments=[
+        ToolArgument(
+            name="accountkey",
+            type="string",
+            description="email address or account ID of user",
+        ),  
+         ToolArgument(
+            name="amount",
+            type="string",
+            description="amount requested for the loan",
+        ),
+    ],
 )
\ No newline at end of file