5 minutes Partner Onboarding
Overview
Introducer partners refer businesses to SAPI and earn commission on funded deals. This guide walks through the onboarding process from application to your first referral, including compliance requirements and how to set up your account.
Who Are Introducer Partners?
Business loan brokers:
Help businesses find financing across multiple lenders, including SAPI.
Fintech marketplaces:
Online platforms matching businesses with finance providers.
ISOs (Independent Sales Organizations):
Organizations introducing merchants to financial services.
Accountants and business advisors:
Trusted advisors helping clients access capital.
Business networks and associations:
Industry bodies or membership organizations supporting members with finance access.
Introducer Partner Requirements
Must Have:
UK company registration
Limited company or LLP registered with Companies House.
Professional indemnity insurance (if providing advice)
Minimum £500k coverage if you advise on finance products.
Data protection compliance
ICO registration, GDPR-compliant processes for handling customer data.
AML procedures (basic)
Customer identification, suspicious activity reporting (if handling customer details before referral).
Nice to Have:
FCA authorization (if providing regulated advice)
Required if you're recommending specific products or advising on creditworthiness. Not required for simple introductions ("SAPI offers payment-linked financing—here's their contact").
Existing customer base
Businesses seeking finance, payment-processing businesses, SME clients.
Finance industry experience
Understanding of business lending, credit assessment, SME needs.
Onboarding Process
Step 1: Application (Day 1)
Email: [email protected]
Subject: "Introducer Partnership Application - [Company Name]"
Include:
- Company name, registration number, registered address
- Key contact (name, title, email, phone)
- Brief company description
- Expected monthly referral volume
- How you'll generate referrals (existing client base, marketing, etc.)
- Preferred referral method (email, portal, API)
SAPI responds: Within 2-3 business days with next steps
Step 2: Due Diligence (Days 2-10)
SAPI requests:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Proof of business address
- Photo ID and proof of address for key directors
- Professional indemnity insurance certificate (if applicable)
- FCA authorization confirmation (if authorized)
- AML/KYC policies (brief description or documented procedures)
SAPI conducts:
- Companies House verification
- AML screening on company and directors
- Reference checks (if new to finance industry)
- Regulatory compliance verification
Timeline: 5-10 business days for due diligence completion
Step 3: Agreement and Terms (Days 10-15)
SAPI provides:
- Introducer Agreement (standard contract)
- Commission schedule
- Compliance obligations
- Data sharing agreement (GDPR)
Key terms include:
- Commission rate (% of funded amount or fixed fee)
- Payment terms (e.g., monthly, 30 days after funding)
- Referral process and requirements
- Customer eligibility criteria
- Compliance and conduct obligations
- Termination clauses
Review and sign:
Typically via DocuSign. Have your solicitor review if desired.
Step 4: Portal Setup (Days 15-20)
SAPI creates:
- Your partner portal account
- Unique referral links (with UTM tracking for commission attribution)
- Access to marketing materials
- Commission reporting dashboard
You receive:
- Login credentials via email
- Portal tour and training documentation
- Partner success manager contact details
Step 5: Training (Days 20-25)
Training session (typically 1-hour video call with SAPI's partnerships team):
Topics covered:
- SAPI product overview (what is payment-linked financing?)
- Eligibility criteria (who qualifies?)
- Application process and timelines
- How repayments work
- Commission structure and tracking
- Compliance dos and don'ts
- Referral best practices
- Partner portal walkthrough
Training materials provided:
- Product one-pager
- Eligibility checklist
- FAQs for customers
- Referral process guide
- Marketing assets
Step 6: First Referral (Day 25+)
You're ready to refer!
Test referral (optional):
SAPI may suggest a test referral to ensure process works smoothly before scaling.
Support available:
Your partner success manager is available via email/phone to support your first referrals.
Referral Methods
Option 1: Email Referrals (Low-Tech)
How it works:
1. Collect basic business information from your client
2. Email details to [email protected] with subject "Referral from [Partner Name] - [Business Name]"
3. Include: Business name, contact, industry, monthly card sales, amount needed
4. SAPI contacts the business directly and processes application
Best for:
Low-volume partners, getting started, testing the process.
Option 2: Partner Portal (Medium-Tech)
How it works:
1. Log into your SAPI partner portal
2. Click "New Referral"
3. Enter business details in the form
4. Submit
5. Track referral status in your portal
Best for:
Partners making regular referrals (5-20/month), want visibility into referral status.
Option 3: API Integration (High-Tech)
How it works:
1. SAPI provides API documentation and credentials
2. Your developers integrate SAPI's referral API
3. Referrals submitted programmatically from your platform
4. Webhook notifications for status updates
Best for:
High-volume partners (50+ referrals/month), marketplaces, platforms wanting seamless integration.
Commission Payment
Timing:
Monthly, typically 30 days after customer funding.
Example timeline:
- Customer funded: 15 January
- Commission payment: 15 February
Payment method:
Bank transfer to your registered business account.
Commission statement:
Sent monthly showing all funded deals, commission amounts, payment date.
Partner Support
Your partner success manager:
- Dedicated contact for questions, issues, escalations
- Monthly check-ins (if high-volume partner)
- Product updates and training
- Marketing support
Contact methods:
- Email: [email protected] or your assigned manager directly
- Phone: +44 20 3868 4990
Response time:
Partner queries answered within 1 business day.
Marketing and Co-Branding
SAPI provides:
- Product brochures and one-pagers (PDF, editable)
- Email templates for customer outreach
- Web banner ads (various sizes)
- Logo files and brand guidelines
- Case studies and testimonials
Co-branding:
Available for high-volume partners. Your logo + SAPI logo on materials.
Approval required:
All marketing materials using SAPI's name must be approved by SAPI's compliance team ([email protected]) before use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does onboarding take?
A: Typically 3-4 weeks from application to first referral, depending on how quickly you provide due diligence documents.
Q: Is there a minimum referral commitment?
A: No. Refer as many or as few businesses as you like. No quotas or minimums.
Q: Can I refer businesses I don't have an existing relationship with?
A: Yes, as long as you comply with marketing regulations (not cold-calling, respecting opt-outs, etc.).
Q: What happens if a customer complains about my referral?
A: SAPI handles customer service and complaints. However, if you mis-sold or misrepresented the product, you may be liable. Follow SAPI's marketing guidelines and be truthful with customers.
Q: Can I also refer customers to other lenders?
A: Yes. SAPI doesn't require exclusivity. Refer customers to whichever lender best fits their needs (including SAPI).
Q: How do I know if a customer is likely to be approved?
A: See "Customer Eligibility Criteria" article for detailed guidance. Generally: UK-registered businesses processing £10k+ monthly card sales with 6+ months trading history.
Need Help?
Become an introducer partner: [email protected]
Onboarding questions: [email protected]
Existing partner support: Your partner success manager or [email protected]
Need Help?
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 20 3868 4990
Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm GMT