Referral partners / Business lenders and loan brokers
Business lender referral partnershipsLender referral partnerships that go beyond funding.
Qualifying commercial lenders, loan brokers and finance pros can connect clients with processing reviews and payment solutions. Referrals stay completely separate from credit decisions, underwriting, loan pricing and approvals.
The lending relationship doesn't end at funding.
- Merchant services kept separate from financing decisions
- Authorized processing cost reviews for clients
- POS and payment options for new and growing locations
- Referral compensation discussed in writing
Nationwide
Businesses in every state
Free
Statement reviews for your clients
$500
Rate guarantee*
B2B
Built around your relationships
What is a business lender referral partnership?
Qualifying lenders and brokers introduce clients to Upward Merchant for payment processing and related tools. A payment referral should answer a real business need and is never tied to loan approval, terms or collections.
Before funding, after funding and throughout the relationship
Understanding operations
A retail borrower reviewing working capital asks if their processing fees are competitive.
Putting growth plans into action
A restaurant financing new equipment starts looking at POS for a new location.
Evaluating expenses
An established merchant asks their financing contact who could review card processing costs.
After an acquisition
A buyer needs payments set up under new ownership. Existing merchant accounts don't transfer automatically.
Never suggest that using Upward Merchant affects credit eligibility, loan payments or the financing outcome.
Who can explore a lender partnership
Commercial loan brokers
Brokers often serve restaurants, retailers and service companies that also need payment technology.
Business lending companies
Direct lenders with ongoing borrower relationships.
Equipment finance providers
Equipment purchases often line up with new locations and payment hardware.
Working capital brokers and finance advisers
Pros who hear requests for operating-cost reviews or payment options.
More business needs. More ways to help.
We look at each business on its own and recommend what fits, not a one-size-fits-all package.
Keep referrals separate from lending decisions and confidential data
Independent credit decisions
Using, declining or canceling our services has no effect on approval, rates or terms.
Client-authorized information
Credit applications, tax returns and underwriting notes are never shared to create a referral.
Compensation and conflicts
Check that referral pay is allowed under your contracts, licenses and law, and disclose where needed.
Separate agreements
Financing and merchant services each have their own terms. Neither approves the other.
Statements need fresh permission
A statement collected for a loan isn't automatically usable for a processing review.
Voluntary, always
A lender can never require a borrower to use Upward Merchant.
How a referral partnership works
It starts with a no-pressure conversation. If it's a good fit for both of us, we set it up together.
Discuss your client base
Common business types, financing milestones and payment needs.
Review referral eligibility
Model, compliance limits, client permission, compensation and roles.
Introduce interested merchants
Voluntary introductions, independent of the financing decision.
Coordinate and report
We review payment needs; tracking and pay follow the agreement.
Frequently asked questions
Can commercial loan brokers refer clients?
Can lenders earn recurring revenue from referrals?
Can a borrower be referred before loan approval?
Do you need a client's credit application?
Can a lender require a borrower to use you?
Can the lender and Upward Merchant share customer data automatically?
What if a referred merchant doesn't need a new processor?
Do lenders have to become payment sales agents?
Let's explore a referral partnership.
Banks, credit unions, software companies, associations, accounting firms, suppliers and other B2B companies: tell us about your business and what you'd like a partnership to do.
- No cost and no obligation to talk
- A real person reviews every inquiry
- We'll reach out within a few business days
Please don't send client account records, card numbers or passwords.
Services are subject to eligibility, provider availability, approvals and contract terms. Business funding depends on lender underwriting. Savings, referral income and other results are not guaranteed. Partner compensation is governed by a written agreement and by applicable laws, regulations, card network rules, institutional policies and professional obligations. Financial institutions and licensed professionals should review their own requirements before taking part. Upward Merchant is not a bank, and payment processing is not a deposit or FDIC-insured product. *Requires a recent processing statement from your current provider. See guarantee terms.