As a financial professional, you know that connecting your small business clients with the right funding is at the heart of what you do. But let’s face it—referring clients to other institutions can quickly turn into a maze of emails, phone calls, and paperwork that leaves everyone feeling frustrated and in the dark.
That’s why we created something better at Grow America. We’ve reimagined the referral process by combining smart technology with real human support. Our Spark platform eliminates the confusion by giving you a clear, secure online system that keeps both you and your clients informed at every step.
In the following article, you’ll discover how our approach at Grow America—a mission-driven CDFI dedicated to small business success—brings together the best of digital innovation and personalized service. The result? A lending experience that makes your job easier while better serving the business owners who count on your expertise.
Digital-forward, not digital only
Grow America’s digital-forward approach combines state-of-the-art loan origination technology with an experienced and approachable team of people who understand the nuances of small business lending. Our cutting-edge loan-origination platform, Spark, enables a streamlined lending process for all.
Here’s how it works: when you become a Grow America referral partner, you’ll receive a unique login to Spark. There, you can easily fill out a form referring your client to Grow America. The client will receive an email inviting them to create their own Spark log-in and begin their application.
From there, we’ll work directly with your client as they move through the loan process. You can log back into Spark to check application statuses and updates at your convenience, whether it’s during business hours, evenings, or weekends.
By combining Spark’s advanced technology with personal service, we’re committed to making small business lending more accessible and efficient for borrowers and referral partners alike.
How our technology empowers referral partners
Partnering with a technology-forward small business lender like Grow America offers several key advantages:
- A streamlined referral system: Partners can easily refer small business clients with a click of a button, anytime and from anywhere.
- Real-time visibility: Referral partners and borrowers can track applications at every stage in the loan process, gaining access to the same information that’s available to the Grow America team.
- Enhanced security: Sensitive information such as tax returns, Social Security numbers, and EINs are securely managed through the Spark platform.
- Simplified multi-application tracking: Referring partners see a dashboard that shows application progress, making it easy to track multiple applicants at a glance.
- Direct application option: While partners can refer clients, small business owners also have the option to apply directly through the portal, making it easy and convenient.
While our technology makes the lending process more efficient, transparent, and accessible, we understand that it can’t replace human expertise. Throughout every stage, referring lending institutions and applicants also have access to Grow America’s human team.
We value our relationships and we know that sometimes, you’d simply like to talk to someone to get the information and answers you need. We’re always happy to help.
How to get started
If you’re already a Grow America referral partner, simply log into Spark to begin referring your small business clients and view your dashboard. If you’re not yet a partner, contact us today to start a conversation about partnership opportunities.