diff --git a/assets/pasted-20251204-044954-e49cb3ce.png b/assets/pasted-20251204-044954-e49cb3ce.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fa8da68
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/pasted-20251204-044954-e49cb3ce.png differ
diff --git a/submit_application.php b/submit_application.php
index 489e402..f87be1d 100644
--- a/submit_application.php
+++ b/submit_application.php
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ try {
     $application_id = 'APP-' . strtoupper(uniqid());
     $created_by = $_SESSION['user']['username'] ?? 'system';
 
-    $stmt = $db->prepare(
+    $stmt = $pdo->prepare(
         'INSERT INTO customer_applications (user_id, company_name, company_website, company_phone, sales_owner, payment_terms, tags, notes, declaration_text, signature_path, major_product, capital, capital_currency, main_shareholders, num_employees, payment_terms_ar, pl_year, net_sales, net_income_margin, net_income_margin_ratio, sales_target_this_year, sales_target_next_year, sales_target_after_next, credit_rank, credit_limit, credit_research_status, credit_research_reason, tax_rate_area, billing_type, del_to_code, delivery_abbreviation, del_to_customer_name, del_to_address_1, del_to_address_2, del_to_address_3, del_to_address_4, del_to_postcode, del_to_phone, del_to_area_code, del_to_transportation_code, del_to_stock_point_code, del_to_recipient_section, del_to_country_code, del_to_shipment_flag, del_to_transport_days, del_to_shipment_condition_category, del_to_transport_service_exist, del_to_shipment_condition_place, doc_req_do, doc_req_packing_list, doc_req_invoice, doc_req_export_permit, doc_req_po_do_inv, doc_req_do_inv, doc_req_others, pack_req_one_line_carton, pack_req_one_item_carton, pack_req_one_item_pocket, pack_req_thomson_label, pack_req_contents_label, pack_req_delivery_schedule, forwarder_name, forwarder_code, forwarder_address, forwarder_contact_person, forwarder_phone, forwarder_fax, forwarder_delivery_method, forwarder_delivery_timings, forwarder_delivery_requirements, special_instructions_shipping_mark, special_instructions_fax_documents, special_instructions_details, special_instructions_attention_to, special_instructions_fax_number, remarks) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)'
     );
     $stmt->execute([
@@ -199,6 +199,28 @@ try {
 
     $pdo->commit();
 
+    // Notify approvers
+    require_once 'mail/MailService.php';
+    $approver_emails = get_user_emails_by_role('Approver Level 1', $pdo);
+    if (!empty($approver_emails)) {
+        // Get Sales Rep name
+        $stmt_sales_rep = $pdo->prepare('SELECT name FROM users WHERE id = ?');
+        $stmt_sales_rep->execute([$_SESSION['user_id']]);
+        $sales_rep_name = $stmt_sales_rep->fetchColumn();
+
+        $subject = 'New Credit Application Submitted - ' . $_POST['company_name'];
+        $submission_date = date('Y-m-d');
+        $body = "
+            <p>A new credit application has been submitted and requires your approval.</p>
+            <p><strong>Customer Name:</strong> {$_POST['company_name']}</p>
+            <p><strong>Sales Rep:</strong> {$sales_rep_name}</p>
+            <p><strong>Credit Amount:</strong> $" . number_format($_POST['credit_limit'], 2) . "</p>
+            <p><strong>Submission Date:</strong> {$submission_date}</p>
+            <p><a href='http://{$_SERVER['HTTP_HOST']}/view_application.php?id={$customer_application_id}' style='display: inline-block; padding: 10px 20px; background-color: #007bff; color: #fff; text-decoration: none;'>View Application</a></p>
+        ";
+        MailService::sendMail($approver_emails, $subject, $body);
+    }
+
     // Redirect to dashboard with success message
     $_SESSION['flash_message'] = [
         'type' => 'success',
@@ -207,6 +229,12 @@ try {
     header('Location: index.php');
     exit();
 
+function get_user_emails_by_role($role_name, $pdo) {
+    $stmt = $pdo->prepare('SELECT u.email FROM users u JOIN user_roles ur ON u.id = ur.user_id JOIN roles r ON ur.role_id = r.id WHERE r.name = ?');
+    $stmt->execute([$role_name]);
+    return $stmt->fetchAll(PDO::FETCH_COLUMN);
+}
+
 } catch (PDOException $e) {
     $pdo->rollBack();
     error_log('Application submission failed: ' . $e->getMessage());