BNP Paribas agrees deal to originate Dutch SME loans

BNP Paribas Asset Management has signed an agreement with a local fintech platform to originate SME loans in the Netherlands.

The deal with Fundion, a loan origination and servicing platform for SMEs in the Netherlands, will give BNPP AM access to local debt advisors and add to its existing partnership with Anglo-Dutch credit specialist Caple.

Fundion was founded in 2017 and works with fintech lending IT provider Topicus and Dutch SME debt advisory network Credion to enable investors to build SME loan portfolios.

BNPP AM will gain access to the Credion network of 100 SME debt advisors and will be able to use Fundion’s IT platform Fyndoo, a rule-driven system that includes high-end risk management models and credit acceptance criteria. Fundion will also make applicable KYC checks to comply with BNPP AM’s global standards.

Stéphane Banchoz, head of SME alternative financing at BNPP AM, said: “We selected Fundion as they offer easy access to the Dutch SME lending market through their association with Credion.  Our partnership with them will allow us to build on our existing loan origination capabilities in the Netherlands and enable us to further diversify our SME loans offering for our institutional clients.”