Empowering SMBs With Embedded Financing
Small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) play a crucial role in driving our economy through innovation, job creation and the contributions they make to their local communities. But SMBs can face obstacles when trying to access working capital through traditional financing sources, including high rejection rates, varying annual percentage rates (APRs) and lengthy application processes.
Enter: embedded financing, which has emerged as a powerful alternative for SMBs that may apply for capital through traditional lending methods. Embedded financing offers SMBs a streamlined approach to accessing capital by allowing them to bypass banks and other traditional lenders and instead receive needed funds through their software vendors. This fast and flexible financing option offers SMBs fair pricing on quickly available financing terms that can be seamlessly integrated into their existing business solutions.
Many SMBs are taking advantage of the ease of using embedded financing, as industry growth continues to rise. Current estimates suggest a 125% year-over-year increase, reaching $500 billion in annual originations by 2030.
An AI-Driven Solution Tailored for ISV Partners and Their Merchants
Traditional small business loans can be expensive, carrying APRs as high as 99%. But businesses may find significant savings via the reduced rates embedded finance programs offer. How? Embedded finance programs leverage private datasets and AI automation when assessing risk, facilitating more accurate and faster underwriting. Among other advantages, this innovative underwriting method cuts customer acquisition costs.
By leveraging technology, embedded finance can revolutionize the underwriting process and provide fair, affordable financing options for SMBs. The lower rates not only benefit merchants, but also foster a stronger sense of loyalty within the Independent Software Vendor’s (ISV) merchant base.
The power of artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of most of today’s innovative technology, including embedded financing. AI-driven credit underwriting—which is fueled by rich, embedded datasets—offers a level of sophistication that’s unmatched.
Embedded AI lending leader Lendica and has partnered with CSG Forte to introduce a unique credit solution for SMBs: the iBranch. This innovative embedded financing offering allows merchants to connect to financing offers through their software vendors, opening a new avenue for SMBs to conveniently access credit for necessary capital investments in their business. CSG Forte and Lendica are extending this solution to ISV partners and their end-merchants.
Benefits Beyond Basics
The advantages of embedded financing extend beyond just the SMBs. ISV partners stand to gain significantly from this innovative financing model. By participating in embedded financing programs, ISVs create an additional revenue stream for their business that is often operations-free (meaning they don’t need to handle the customer support or marketing internally and can leverage an embedded financing partner). Moreover, the enhanced merchant loyalty resulting from fair and affordable financing options strengthens the bond between ISVs and their end-users.
Embedded financing also has the flexibility to cater to a diverse range of ISV partners and their merchants, spanning various industries such as field services and property management. For example, property management merchants can leverage this user-friendly solution to access capital for building repairs, procure necessary supplies, or invest in professional services to promote their business. Quick access to capital empowers merchants and fosters an environment that’s conducive to future growth and prosperity.
Game-Changing Potential
Embedded financing is proving to be a game-changing solution for ISVs and their merchants, providing fast, flexible and competitive financing options. This streamlined approach addresses some of the pain points of traditional lending, offering competitive rates and an enhanced end-user experience. The growth trajectory of embedded business financing suggests a transformative future for SMBs, fostering an ecosystem where businesses can thrive and achieve their full potential.
As we move to the future, the era of embedded financing is redefining the landscape of SMB financing, unlocking new possibilities and opportunities for growth.
Thanks to the recently established strategic partnership between CSG Forte and Lendica, an embedded AI-lending company, your software organization can provide merchants with quick access to capital, removing time delays and other barriers SMBs often encounter. Contact our team to start offering your merchants a competitive, embedded financing offering in as little as two weeks.