ChargeAfter Granted Patent for its Embedded Lending Technology

ChargeAfter solidifies its position as a leader in the embedded lending landscape with the granting of a patent for its technology.

New York, March 26, 2024 ChargeAfter, the embedded lending platform for point-of-sale financing, announced that it has been granted a patent for its cross-service transaction facilitation technologies and dynamic transaction interfaces, by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent underscores ChargeAfter’s position as a leader in point-of-sale financing solutions and reinforces its commitment to developing the best platform for merchants, lenders, banks and financial institutions.

ChargeAfter’s platform revolutionizes the lending landscape by serving as an advanced financing orchestration layer, effortlessly bridging the gap between merchants and a diverse network of lenders. The platform, customizable for both merchants, as well as banks and financial institutions, offers a tailored point-of-sale financing experience that may be used under their own brand. Seamlessly integrated across all customer touchpoints, it empowers merchants to present personalized financing options to their customers precisely when they need it, enhancing the shopping experience at every stage of the buying journey.

In a single application, shoppers are instantly connected to a network of lenders that cover the entire credit spectrum and offer a diverse array of financing products, such as short and long-term installments, revolving credit, and lease-to-own, with options for both B2B and B2C transactions. The platform also enables the configuration and use of both a waterfall and marketplace model to streamline the approval process and optimize the customer experience to ensure optimized approval and checkout rates. Merchants in the US, Canada, and Australia that integrate ChargeAfter’s embedded lending platform quickly experience improved approval rates of up to 85%, contributing to higher sales and greater customer loyalty.

Meidad Sharon, founder and CEO of ChargeAfter commented, “The awarded patent recognizes ChargeAfter’s innovative approach to cross-service transactions and confirms our position as the leading solution for point-of-sale financing. It is underpinned by the unique technology that underlies our embedded lending platform and our unwavering commitment to providing the best technology solution to our partners and clients. This achievement is the result of years of research, development, and refinement that have gone into our platform. ChargeAfter is dedicated to providing unparalleled solutions to merchants, banks, lenders, and ultimately shoppers as they seek personalized financing choices within their purchasing experience.”

About ChargeAfter

ChargeAfter is pioneering the embedded lending network for point-of-sale consumer financing for merchants and financial institutions. Powered by a network of lenders and a data-driven matching engine, ChargeAfter streamlines the distribution of credit into a single, secure, and reliable embedded lending platform. Merchants can rapidly implement ChargeAfter’s omnichannel platform online, in-store, and at every point of sale, enabling them to provide personalized financing choices to their customers.

ChargeAfter is backed by payment expert investors, including Visa, Citi Ventures, Synchrony Financial, Banco Bradesco, MUFG, PICO Venture Partners, Propel Venture Partners, and The Phoenix. ChargeAfter is headquartered in New York with an R&D center in Tel Aviv. For more information, visit chargeafter.com/about-us.

ChargeAfter Unveils The Lending Hub Platform to Revolutionize Banks’ Embedded Lending Capabilities

The Lending Hub enables banks and lending financial institutions to seamlessly create, manage, and distribute any lending product from one centralized platform.

New York, March 4, 2024, ChargeAfter, the embedded lending platform for point-of-sale financing, has unveiled The Lending Hub, a platform that transforms how banks deliver lending solutions for merchants and their customers at scale. Designed to empower banks and financial institutions to streamline the development, management, and distribution of multiple lending products, The Lending Hub is a first-of-its-kind omni-commerce solution.

A white-label platform, trusted by leading banks, The Lending Hub offers a suite of comprehensive tools and seamless integration that set a new standard in the market. Enabling banks to expand beyond their traditional lending models, it allows them to efficiently deliver lending services on a large scale, and focus on market penetration and adoption while maintaining the highest levels of security. 

“With ChargeAfter’s The Lending Hub, we are not just introducing a product, but establishing a new standard in financial technology,” said Jeffrey Tower, EVP of Global Business Development and Strategy. “Banks are seeking to expand beyond their traditional models and integrate their lending products directly into merchants’ points of sale. Our platform promises to transform the way they and their customers experience lending, offering a suite of comprehensive tools and seamless integration that stand unmatched in the market. For banks looking to redefine their lending experience and foster a future of financial innovation, ChargeAfter opens doors to possibilities once deemed beyond reach.” 

The ChargeAfter Lending Hub for banks is a comprehensive platform designed to allow financial institutions to streamline the development, management, and distribution of lending products. It equips banks and lending institutions with the tools to efficiently deliver lending services to merchants and shoppers at scale. This flexibility allows banks to rapidly deploy and manage diverse lending assets while maintaining a strong focus on their core business activities. Features of The Lending Hub include:

  • Merchant enablement layer: rapid merchant onboarding, seamless integration, and omni-commerce checkout processes.
  • Merchant self-service: full merchant management suite, BI analytics, and robust reporting.
  • Bank oversight and merchant management: full lending program management, merchant oversight, chargeback management, and reporting suites for bank partners.
  • Any lending product from The Lending Hub: including short- and long-term installments, revolving credit, buy-now-pay-later, private label credit cards, personal loans, project loans, and more. 

“ChargeAfter is well-positioned to meet the needs of banks which are increasingly seeking a trusted and experienced technology partner to help them expand beyond their traditional lending models,” continued Jeffrey Tower. “As the leader in the market, banks continue to select The Lending Hub to power their consumer lending services as it delivers the capabilities they need while maintaining their core competency of being the bank.”

About ChargeAfter

ChargeAfter is pioneering the embedded lending network for point-of-sale consumer financing for merchants and financial institutions. Powered by a network of lenders and a data-driven matching engine, ChargeAfter streamlines the distribution of credit into a single, secure, and reliable embedded lending platform. Merchants can rapidly implement ChargeAfter’s omnichannel platform online, in-store, and at every point of sale, enabling them to provide personalized financing choices to their customers.

ChargeAfter is backed by payment expert investors including Citi Ventures, Visa, MUFG, Banco Bradesco, Synchrony Financial, PICO Venture Partners, Propel Venture Partners, and The Phoenix. ChargeAfter is headquartered in New York with an R&D center in Tel Aviv.  For more information, visit https://chargeafter.com/about-us.

Contact us
Media Relations, Varda Bachrach, varda.bachrach@chargeafter.com
Investor Relations, ir@chargeafter.com 

6 POS Financing Solutions for Your Point of Sale

In recent years, POS financing has emerged as a game changer, enabling merchants to meet the demand for flexible financing solutions embedded within the purchasing journey. This growing demand is a result of multiple factors, including the emergence of new fintech lenders that have entered the market with competitive terms, a challenging economy for consumers, and younger Americans rejecting credit cards.  

This next wave of credit not only enhances consumers’ purchasing power but also opens new strategic avenues for merchants to increase sales and foster customer loyalty. With various POS financing solutions available, understanding and integrating suitable options can significantly impact your sales strategy.

pos financing in embedded lending. credit cards vs single lender pos financing vs embedded lending network

What is POS financing?

POS financing, or point-of-sale financing, refers to lending options available to customers at their moment of need in the purchasing process. Unlike traditional financing, which often involves lengthy application processes and extensive paperwork, POS lending offers instant loan approvals directly at checkout, bridging the gap between customer desire and purchase capability.

Types of POS Financing

The landscape of POS financing is diverse, offering several tailored options to meet the varied needs of businesses and consumers. POS financing covers different types of lending products that cover the full credit spectrum. Merchants that want to provide their customers with a robust POS financing experience embed different types of financing options into their points of sale to increase approval rates to up to 85%.

0% APR Financing

0% APR programs allow customers to make purchases without incurring any interest during a specified period making them an appealing financing option.  Consumers can buy a product immediately and pay back the cost over time, but unlike traditional loans, they are not charged any interest, provided the repayment is completed within the agreed timeframe. This type of financing is particularly beneficial for purchasing big ticket items, as it makes them more financially accessible and manageable for the consumer. Retailers often use 0% APR offers as an incentive to encourage higher sales and attract budget-conscious customers, enhancing both the affordability of their products and the attractiveness of their sales proposition. By offering a cost-effective way to spread out payments, 0% APR loans at the point of sale can significantly improve the purchasing power of consumers, while simultaneously driving business growth and customer loyalty.

Consumer BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later)

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) is a flexible payment solution that has revolutionized the retail industry in recent years. BNPL allows consumers to divide the total purchase price into smaller, more manageable installments, often with the initial payment due at the time of purchase and the rest spread over a short period. The key appeal of BNPL lies in its accessibility and convenience: customers can acquire goods immediately, from everyday items to more substantial purchases, without the upfront financial burden. This method is especially attractive for those who need or want products immediately but prefer not to exhaust their savings or use traditional credit options. For retailers, offering BNPL can significantly boost sales, attract a broader customer base, and improve customer satisfaction by providing a flexible and customer-friendly payment alternative. By aligning with modern spending habits and offering immediate gratification with delayed payment, BNPL is a powerful tool for enhancing both consumer purchasing power and business growth.

Business BNPL

B2B financing, tailored specifically for business-to-business transactions, plays a crucial role in smoothing the financial interactions between companies. This form of financing addresses the unique needs of businesses, offering them more flexible payment terms and credit options for purchasing goods or services. B2B financing often involves larger purchases and  repayment periods ranging from 30 days to 12 months or more. It is designed to enhance cash flow management for both buyers and sellers, enabling businesses to maintain operational efficiency without the immediate financial strain of large purchases. This can be particularly beneficial for smaller businesses that may not have extensive capital reserves. By facilitating easier and more manageable trade, B2B financing strengthens business relationships, fosters long-term collaboration, and supports the overall growth and stability of the business ecosystem. For companies looking to invest in equipment, inventory, or services to expand their operations, B2B financing offers a vital resource to achieve these goals without disrupting their financial health.

Lease-to-Own 

Lease-to-own is an innovative payment solution that blends elements of leasing and purchasing, offering consumers and businesses a flexible pathway to ownership. This option allows customers to lease a product—often electronics, furniture, or appliances—for a set period, with the opportunity to purchase the item at the end of the lease term. During the leasing period, customers make regular payments, similar to a rental agreement, but with the added advantage of having the option to own the product outright eventually. This arrangement is particularly appealing for those who need immediate use of an item but may not have the funds for a full purchase upfront or are uncertain about committing to a direct purchase. It’s also beneficial for products that rapidly evolve or depreciate, like technology gadgets, where consumers might prefer to test or use the product before deciding on a full investment. For retailers, offering lease-to-own options can attract a wider range of customers, including those who are credit challenged, and can lead to increased sales, customer loyalty, and market reach. This purchasing method not only enhances accessibility to products but also provides consumers with the financial flexibility to manage their budgets effectively while enjoying the benefits of the leased items.

Installment loans

Installment loans offer a robust financing solution for consumers and businesses making big-ticket purchases, allowing them to spread the cost over an extended period. This type of loan is particularly suited for high-value one-time purchases such as fitness equipment, elective medical procedures and home improvement projects, where paying the full price upfront can be financially daunting. With long-term installment loans, the total cost is divided into smaller, manageable payments, typically made monthly. This approach not only makes expensive purchases more accessible but also helps in budgeting and financial planning, as repayments are predictable and spread out over time. The extended duration of these loans, which can range from 6 months to  several years, reduces the monthly financial burden on the borrower, making it easier to manage alongside other financial commitments. For retailers, practitioners and contractors, offering long-term installment loans can broaden their customer base to include those who prefer or require a more extended repayment plan. It’s an effective strategy to increase sales of higher-priced items while also building customer trust and loyalty, as it demonstrates a commitment to providing flexible financial solutions. By accommodating the diverse financial situations of customers, installment loans play a pivotal role in making significant investments more attainable and financially sustainable.

Revolving line of credit

Revolving lines of credit (revolving credit) offer a dynamic and flexible financing option, particularly useful for consumers and businesses seeking repeat purchases. Unlike traditional loans with a fixed amount and a set repayment schedule, a revolving line of credit provides a predetermined credit limit that customers can draw from, repay, and reuse as needed. This flexibility is key: it allows users to borrow exactly what they need, when they need it, up to the limit of the credit line. Interest is typically charged only on the amount borrowed, not on the entire credit limit, making it a cost-effective option for managing fluctuating financial needs.

Retailers and service providers offering a revolving line of credit can enhance customer loyalty by providing a reliable, reusable financial resource. This not only improves the customer experience by offering financial flexibility but also encourages repeat transactions, as the ease of access to credit can facilitate ongoing purchasing decisions. By aligning with the financial needs and preferences of customers, revolving lines of credit represent a versatile and strategic approach to consumer and business financing.

Choosing the right POS financing option

When selecting the right type of POS financing for your customers, it’s crucial to consider their specific needs, purchasing behaviors, and the nature of your products or services. Start by analyzing your customer base: Are they typically making large, one-time purchases, or do they prefer smaller, recurring transactions? Understanding this dynamic helps in choosing between options like BNPL for immediate, smaller purchases or long-term installment loans for big ticket items. Additionally, consider the speed and convenience of the application process, as this can greatly influence customer satisfaction. For businesses, B2B financing might be more appropriate, while consumers might prefer the flexibility of lease-to-own options for certain goods. The key to a successful POS financing strategy lies in offering a range of options to cater to diverse customer needs. 

Adopting a platform-first approach is highly effective in this context. By integrating a POS lending platform, you can embed multiple financing options into your point of sale. This not only provides customers with a variety of choices but also streamlines the financing process, making it more efficient and user-friendly. Such a system allows for a seamless combination of different financing methods, such as revolving credit lines for larger purchases and BNPL for smaller purchases, ensuring that each customer finds a solution that best fits their financial situation. Ultimately, a platform-first approach offers the flexibility and adaptability needed to meet the evolving demands of both your business and your customers, leading to enhanced customer satisfaction and potentially higher sales volumes.

Future of POS financing

The future of POS financing is to empower the consumer to make purchases at the point of decision, whenever and wherever that might occur.. The increasing shift towards omnichannel, digital, and mobile platforms, will likely lead to more integrated and user-friendly POS financing options within online and in-person and even combined shopping experiences. Additionally, there’s a potential for diversification in financing options, such as the incorporation of flexible payment plans tailored to individual consumer needs or the introduction of new financing models that could include more peer-to-peer elements or blockchain technology.

Another important trend is the growing consumer demand for transparency and simplicity in financing. This could lead to more straightforward, easy-to-understand financing options with clear terms and conditions, catering to a market that values financial clarity. Furthermore, the rising emphasis on financial inclusivity might drive the expansion of POS financing to cover a broader range of products and services, making it accessible to a wider segment of the population.

Finally, regulatory changes and an increased focus on consumer protection could shape the future of POS financing, potentially leading to more standardized practices across the industry. These changes will not only enhance the customer experience but also provide businesses with new opportunities to innovate in their sales and financing strategies, ensuring that POS financing remains a vital component in the evolving landscape of consumer purchasing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, POS financing has evolved to a multiple-lender model, employing the concept of waterfall financing within an embedded lending platform. This innovative approach will revolutionize the way businesses and consumers interact with financing options. By integrating a variety of lenders into a single, seamless platform, merchants can offer a more diverse range of financing solutions, ensuring that there’s a fit for every customer’s unique financial situation. The waterfall financing aspect further enhances this model, as it systematically routes customer applications through different lenders based on predefined criteria, thereby increasing approval rates and providing customers with the best possible financing terms. This embedded lending platform not only simplifies the financing process for customers but also for merchants who benefit from a single platform for all their POS financing management. Looking ahead, the adoption of a comprehensive, customer-centric approach in POS financing will be a key driver in the evolution of consumer purchasing experiences, marking a leap forward in the intersection of finance and retail.

About Kevin Lawrence
VP Global Lender Relations

Kevin has worked in the banking and finance industry for over a decade. He has worked closely with some of North America’s largest banks, financial institutions, and retailers. Kevin is an expert in embedded consumer financing and B2B financing and has a deep understanding of current trends and where the industry is heading.

Boost Your Dental Financing with an Embedded Lending Platform

Offering patients a seamless path to dental financing choices is a strategic must for dental providers in 2024. More patients than ever before are exploring financing options as demand for elective treatments rises. To meet this demand, dental providers must offer diverse financing solutions that cater to a broad spectrum of patient needs. With an embedded lending platform, you can easily provide your patients with seamless access to multiple lenders to offer the best dental financing for patients.

An embedding lending platform simplifies the financing process, enabling dental practices to offer multiple financing options. The platform integrates directly into a dental service’s existing systems, allowing patients to apply for dental financing options without leaving the dentist’s office, website, or call center. In doing so, dental providers can enhance customer loyalty by ensuring a favorable financing experience with approval rates of up to 85% for their patients.

Navigating dental financing: opportunities and pitfalls

Lenders categorize borrowers based on their credit scores. ‘Prime’ are those with excellent credit, ‘near-prime’ those with good but not perfect credit, and ‘subprime’ those with poor credit histories. To meet the needs of patients across this spectrum of credit, dental providers must incorporate multiple lenders into their financing offerings. This is a process fraught with challenges if handled independently, as:

  1. Lender integrations are complex, time-consuming, and require significant resources.
  2. Day-to-day management of each lender is complex and time-consuming. 
  3. Dependency on single lenders becomes risky if terms change or if a financing provider ceases operations.
  4. Patients may need to complete several applications before being approved, each with its own distinct set of requirements.
  5. Staff must navigate and understand the systems of multiple lenders, each with its own processes.

The only way to counter such challenges is through a platform-first approach to point-of-sale financing. This will free dental practices up to focus on their core operations and patient care while providing an exceptional dental financing experience for their patients with higher approval rates and better conversion. 

Enhance dental financing with platform-first approach

Streamlining access to personalized financing solutions is a game changer. By providing patients with a flexible and choice-driven financing experience, dental practices can dramatically enhance the patients’ purchasing experience and deliver high approval rates. As a result, dental practices observe a notable rise in the average transaction value, leading to an overall boost in sales, stronger patient relationships, and a competitive edge in the healthcare marketplace. An embedded lending platform:

  1. Facilitates a seamless connection between dental practices, multiple lenders, and patients covering the entire credit spectrum on a single platform.
  2. Simplifies the application process and enhances the patient’s experience wherever they are receiving service: in-clinic, through a call center, or online. 
  3. Results in high approval rates of up to 85% that in turn boost conversions.
  4. Manages all financing activities efficiently, from a single application to instant approvals to post-sale management including disputes, reconciliations, and customized reporting.
  5. Provides data and analytics to optimize the financing offer and create personalized relationships with patients.

Integrating an embedded lending platform into the patient care journey is the most effective way to meet these needs, providing a seamless financing experience for patients and clinics. Dental practices that integrate an embedded lending platform significantly improve the patient experience. Patients enjoy quicker service, with immediate access to a range of dental financing options tailored to their individual needs and financial situations, all without the need for multiple applications. This hassle-free approach to dental financing helps patients feel more at ease and valued, fostering a sense of loyalty and satisfaction with their dental care provider.

Why ChargeAfter is the platform of choice for dental practices

ChargeAfter’s embedded lending platform enables dental practices to seamlessly integrate financing into the patient journey, whether online, in clinics, or via call centers. The platform connects dental practices with a network of lenders that cater to a full range of patient credit profiles. Lenders on the platform offer a diverse range of financing products, including installment plans and revolving credit, to cater to various patient needs and preferences.

By simply filling out a quick application, patients are matched with the best financing options through a waterfall financing approach, where if a patient isn’t approved by the first lender due to their credit score, their application automatically ‘falls’ to the next lender in line until the best match is found. This process ensures that patients receive tailored dental financing solutions within seconds based on their individual credit needs and preferences. It is easy for dental practices to manage, supporting the entire financing process in a single platform enabling quick and easy refunds, reconciliations, dispute management, reporting, and lender optimization. 

In 2024, personalizing patient financing will become not just an option but a necessity for dental practices aiming to distinguish themselves in a competitive landscape. As we navigate through a year of innovation and patient-centered care, offering tailored dental financing solutions will emerge as a key strategy to make patients smile wider than ever before.

References: Article in groupdentistrynow.com

Visit us at Payments MAGnified 2024: Hyatt Regency Dallas TX

Payments MAGnified 2024 by Merchant Advisory Groups (MAG) will take place from 20 Feb to 23 Feb 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. TX (USA)

Payments MAGnified at the Hyatt Regency Dallas - ChargeAfter

If you are prioritizing enhancing your POS financing in 2024 and are heading to Payments MAGnified on February 21nd & 22nd – we would love to meet!

As the industry-leading embedded lending platform for point-of-sale financing, we can help you simplify the financing journey for you and your customers. Our easy-to-use platform and network of lenders deliver up to 85% approval rates making for happier customers and more sales.

Come and meet the team to learn how ChargeAfter can help you unlock the full potential of POS financing. You can find us at Booth 216 or schedule a meeting.

Payments MAGnified 2024 will delve deeper into the technology of payments, connecting merchant IT professionals and their business partners with technology sponsors through technology-focused educational sessions and engaging networking events. The MAG Tech Forum, aligned with the bi-annual MAG conference, is designed explicitly for payment IT professionals. It provides education and networking opportunities focused on innovative uses of new relevant payment technologies.

This event for professionals and businesses in the financial payments industry, offers networking opportunities and customizable experiences catered to business- and tech-minded individuals. Payments MAGnified is dedicated to exploring the depths of industry challenges and opportunities, focusing on new advances in payment technologies, consumer financing, and embedded financing, and other topics.

ChargeAfter’s Lending Hub Selected as a Technology Provider for Citi Retail Services’ Citi Pay Family of Digital-First Payment Products

New York, February 6, 2024 – ChargeAfter, the embedded lending platform for point-of-sale financing announced that Citi Retail Services, one of North America’s largest and most experienced retail payments and credit solution providers, selected ChargeAfter as a technology provider for its Citi Pay® products, including Citi Pay® Credit and Citi Pay® Installment Loan.    

Citi Retail Services’ collaboration with ChargeAfter gives participating online merchants the ability to seamlessly integrate Citi Pay products, which include a digital-only credit card and monthly installment loan, into their point-of-sale experience. Citi Pay products give customers flexibility in their budgets and puts them in control of how they want to finance their purchases.

ChargeAfter’s Lending Hub for banks bridges the gap between merchants and lending banks by streamlining the complex process from product creation and management to the deployment and distribution of lending products. The Lending Hub for banks also enables swift merchant onboarding and integration for bank lending partners, allowing them to offer various financing options to merchants and their customers at scale.

“We are excited to join forces with Citi Retail Services, leveraging elements of ChargeAfter’s Lending Hub to empower and support the Citi Pay family of digital payment products to meet the evolving demands of the merchant community. This collaboration is an affirmation of the capabilities of our Lending Hub for leading payment providers,” commented Meidad Sharon, founder and Chief Executive Officer of ChargeAfter. “Our nimble, cutting-edge technology and rapid go-to-market tools for banks position us to support Citi Retail Services in expanding its Citi Pay products and enhance the customer experience at checkout.”

“Our collaboration with ChargeAfter enables us to quickly and seamlessly embed Citi Pay products into our merchant partners’ point-of-sale, which furthers Citi’s more than 30-year commitment to providing merchants and consumers with the secure and flexible payment options they desire,” said Terry O’Neil, Head of Connected Commerce and Strategic Growth Initiatives for Citi Retail Services.

About ChargeAfter’s Lending Hub

The ChargeAfter Lending Hub for banks is a comprehensive platform designed to allow financial institutions to streamline the development, management, and distribution of lending products. It equips banks and lending institutions with the tools to efficiently deliver lending services to merchants and shoppers at scale. The platform enables rapid merchant onboarding, seamless integration, and diverse processes such as branded eCommerce extensions, point-of-sale integration, call center, and QR code loan processes, as well as merchant self-service management tools, BI analytics, and robust reporting capabilities.

Additionally, the Lending Hub offers full lending program management, encompassing merchant oversight, chargeback management, mitigation measures, and in-depth reporting suites for bank partners. The Lending Hub empowers banks to offer a wide range of financial products, including short- and long-term installments, revolving credit with installments, buy-now-pay-later solutions, private label credit cards, personal loans, project loans, and more, all on a single platform. This flexibility allows banks to rapidly deploy and manage diverse lending assets while maintaining a strong focus on their core business activities.

About ChargeAfter

ChargeAfter is pioneering the embedded lending network for point-of-sale consumer financing for merchants and financial institutions. Powered by a network of lenders and a data-driven matching engine, ChargeAfter streamlines the distribution of credit into a single, secure, and reliable embedded lending platform. Merchants can rapidly implement ChargeAfter’s omnichannel platform online, in-store, and at every point of sale, enabling them to provide personalized financing choices to their customers.

ChargeAfter is backed by payment expert investors including Citi Ventures, Visa, MUFG, Banco Bradesco, Synchrony Financial, PICO Venture Partners, Propel Venture Partners, and The Phoenix. ChargeAfter is headquartered in New York with an R&D center in Tel Aviv. 

3 Benefits of Integrating Waterfall Financing

waterfall financing for consumer lending


In 2024, sales channel strategies need to be diverse and optimized to suit the purchasing behaviors of the modern shopper. In this article, we explore sales channel strategies in more detail and share 3 benefits of a sales channel strategy that integrates waterfall consumer financing. 

What is waterfall financing?

Waterfall financing, from a consumer financing perspective, is a method of consumer lending at the point of sale whereby a shopper loan or credit application passes through a series of lender tiers prioritized for receiving the best loan interest and terms to lower-tiered lenders offering the next best loan offer.

Here’s how it typically works:

  1. First Tier Criteria: Initially, an application is evaluated against the strictest criteria. These criteria include a high credit score, low debt-to-income ratio, or other financial stability and creditworthiness indicators. Most applicants who meet these criteria are considered low-risk borrowers.
  2. Subsequent Tiers: Applications not meeting the first tier’s stringent requirements are passed down to the next tier. Each successive tier has slightly more relaxed standards than the one before it. For instance, the second tier might accept lower credit scores or higher debt-to-income ratios.
  3. Approval or Decline: This process continues until either the application is approved under one of the tiers’ criteria or fails to meet all tiers’ standards and is ultimately declined.

What is a sales channel strategy?

A sales channel strategy refers to the marketing tactics used across several sales channels. In the modern eCommerce landscape, a single sales channel is simply not enough. Online stores should utilize a variety of channels, from social media platforms to Google Shopping and beyond, to attract new customers and retain existing shoppers. A sales channel strategy considers how best to engage consumers through online marketplaces, modern marketplaces, wholesale selling, retail selling, and paid advertising. Using a combination of platforms within these avenues will lead to greater sales channel success. 

Waterfall financing from ChargeAfter will also support your sales channel strategy by empowering your customers’ purchases. By partnering with ChargeAfter, you can offer your customers access to a wide network of lenders capable of facilitating their shopping needs across your entire sales channel strategy. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of a sales channel strategy that integrates waterfall consumer financing. 

Benefits of waterfall financing

Benefits for shoppers

Waterfall financing makes shopping more accessible than ever. Merchants that use waterfall financing give their shoppers access to lenders who can finance their shopping decisions. Customers can receive this financing without having to undergo credit checks, making consumer financing a feasible choice for shoppers unwilling to turn to their financial institution for support. This, coupled with favorable repayment plans makes for an efficient shopping experience that appeals to new and existing customers. 

  1. Increased access to credit: Waterfall financing allows individuals who might not meet the strictest lending criteria to access credit still. This benefits those with lower credit scores or less conventional credit histories.
  2. Opportunities to build or repair credit: For borrowers looking to build or repair their credit, gaining access to credit through less stringent tiers can provide this opportunity as long as they manage their debt responsibly.
  3. Tailored financial products: Since waterfall financing involves different tiers with varying criteria, consumers might find products more tailored to their financial situation rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Benefits for lenders

  1. Market expansion: This approach allows lenders to serve a broader range of customers. They can cater to prime borrowers in the upper tiers while offering products to near-prime or subprime borrowers in lower tiers, thus expanding their market reach.
  2. Improved loan performance: Using more detailed criteria to assess borrowers, lenders can better predict loan performance and reduce default rates. Each tier can be optimized based on the risk profile and past performance of borrowers in that category.
  3. Flexibility and responsiveness: Waterfall financing provides a framework for lenders to quickly adjust their lending criteria in response to changing market conditions, regulatory environments, or shifts in their risk appetite.
  4. Data-driven decisions: This approach often relies on comprehensive data analysis, allowing lenders to make more informed and precise decisions based on various variables beyond just credit scores.

Industry benefits:

  1. Financial inclusion: By providing credit opportunities to those whom traditional criteria might exclude, waterfall financing contributes to financial inclusion efforts.
  2. Innovation in lending: This approach encourages innovation in the lending industry as lenders develop more sophisticated models to assess borrower risk across different tiers.

In summary, waterfall financing offers a more nuanced and flexible approach to lending that can benefit a wide range of consumers, especially those who might be underserved by traditional models, while also allowing lenders to manage risk and expand their customer base.

Originally published: 12 Jan 2022
Updated: 24 Jan 2024

How Banks Diversify Lending with ChargeAfter’s Lending Hub

As consumer behavior rapidly shifts toward more flexible and varied POS financing options, banks recognize that they need to expand beyond their traditional lending models and diversify their lending products and offers. Partnering with a fintech technology provider like ChargeAfter’s Lending Hub is pivotal for banks to succeed.

The Lending Hub offers a comprehensive all-inclusive embedded lending platform for banks to create, manage, and distribute a wide range of POS financing products – from consumer finance with revolving lines of credit, short and long-term installments, BNPL, and personal lending. By adopting such diversified offerings, banks can cater to the nuanced and evolving needs of modern consumers, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Challenges addressed by ChargeAfters’ Lending Hub

One of the significant challenges faced by banks is the complexity of merchant onboarding and integration. ChargeAfter’s Lending Hub simplifies this process through its robust enablement tools and streamlined merchant onboarding protocols, reducing operational costs and time and increasing merchant satisfaction. This approach not only accelerates market entry but also establishes a stronger network of merchant partnerships, essential in today’s competitive environment.

The Lending Hub also addresses crucial aspects like the protection of Personally Identifiable Information (PII). In an era where data security is paramount, ChargeAfter ensures compliance with the highest standards of data protection, giving both banks and their customers peace of mind.

As shopping behaviors evolve, banks need to adapt to the natural evolution of shopper needs. ChargeAfter’s Lending Hub enables banks to stay ahead of the curve, offering tailored POS financing solutions that resonate with contemporary consumer demands. This adaptability ensures that banks remain relevant and competitive.

The technological backbone of ChargeAfter’s Lending Hub aligns perfectly with the banking core architecture. By leveraging cloud-based hosting and microservices, the platform ensures scalability, security, and operational efficiency. This infrastructure supports an agile development process, allowing for rapid deployment and continuous improvement of financial products. This agility is vital in a financial world that demands quick adaptation to market changes and consumer trends.

Partnering with ChargeAfter’s Lending Hub is not just about offering a range of financial products; it’s about embracing a holistic, future-forward approach to banking. It’s about meeting the needs of today’s consumers with innovative solutions and cutting-edge technology. As banks look towards a new era of digital finance, ChargeAfter stands as a valuable ally in navigating this journey together.

Jeffrey Tower ChargeAfter EVP Global Business Development

Jeffrey Tower
EVP Global Business Development
Jeff has over 20 years of experience driving revenue through building global brand awareness, business development, marketing, and sales departments focused on consumer financing, fintech, and eCommerce.