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A convicted drug trafficker whose prison sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump is back behind bars, having been sentenced to 27 months for violating the terms of his release. The saga of Jonathan Braun , once a high-ranking member of an international drug smuggling operation, has become a high-profile case of recidivism. For members of the Revenue-Based Financing (RBF) and Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) industry who align themselves with the President, Braun’s journey creates an inescapable political and ethical conflict. Key Points: Clemency, Crimes, and Consequences Jonathan Braun’s legal troubles span multiple sectors, from large-scale narcotics to small business lending. The key developments in his case are: Original Conviction:  Braun was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in 2019 after pleading guilty to drug-related charges, specifically for his role in smuggling over 100,000 kilograms of marijuana from Canada into the United States. Presidential Clemency:  Braun served roughly one year of his sentence before President Trump commuted his term in the final days of his administration in January 2021. The clemency freed him from prison, though the balance of his sentence remained, requiring that he adhere to the terms of his supervised release. Return to Crime:  Following his release, Braun was arrested and charged with multiple new crimes, violating the terms of his clemency. These actions led to him being ordered back into custody. Violations:  The charges used to justify his return to prison included a series of disturbing allegations, such as assaulting a 3-year-old child, groping his family's nanny, swinging an IV pole at a hospital nurse while threatening her, menacing a fellow synagogue member, and evading bridge tolls in his luxury cars. The Sentencing:  A federal judge sentenced Braun to 27 months back in prison for his multiple violations, noting that the acts demonstrated a continued danger to the community. The MCA Conflict: A Test of Loyalty and Integrity Jonathan Braun is not just a convicted drug dealer; he is an infamous figure in the Merchant Cash Advance space. Before his drug sentence, Braun operated RCG Advances (formerly Richmond Capital Group), a company that became synonymous with predatory lending practices and illegal debt collection. The New York Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) both pursued legal action against Braun and his company. The FTC, in a landmark case , secured a $20.3 million judgment  against Braun for knowingly deceiving small businesses, illegally seizing assets, and engaging in appalling collection tactics—including threatening physical violence and using vile profanity against business owners. He has been permanently banned from the merchant cash advance and debt collection industries. This history places a heavy ethical weight on members of the RBF/MCA industry who are also staunch supporters of President Trump. To MCA professionals who support the President, the Braun situation presents a direct conflict: You stand with a President you believe supports your business interests and values, yet that leader used his highest executive power to free a man who represents the absolute worst, most predatory, and criminally accused practices within your own industry. The industry already faces intense public scrutiny and regulatory threats. When a symbol of its dark side, a man permanently banned for predatory behavior and who allegedly threatened small business owners with violence, is chosen for a high-profile presidential clemency, it forces a difficult question: How do you reconcile supporting a political decision that elevates an individual whose actions actively undermine your industry’s reputation for legitimate funding? The pardon of Jonathan Braun, a notorious, white-collar predator within the financing sector who then demonstrated a stunning lack of regard for the rule of law by committing new crimes, creates a significant liability. It allows critics to argue that political favoritism, rather than justice or reform, was the basis for the clemency, thereby making it harder for every reputable broker and funding company to argue for the legitimacy and value of the RBF product. For those who advocate for reform and clean business practices within the MCA world, Braun’s case serves as a powerful reminder that the fight for industry integrity must transcend political loyalties.

How the fintech giants’ business loan arms are performing The latest earnings from Block (Square), Shopify, and PayPal  show that small-business lending remains a key growth lever inside their ecosystems. Despite broader economic uncertainty, all three companies reported stable to rising loan originations and healthy credit performance across their respective merchant-financing programs. Square Loans (Block) Block’s Q3 2025 results highlighted another solid quarter for Square Loans , with approximately $1.7 billion in originations , slightly up from the prior quarter. The company also sold $1.1 billion of loans to third-party investors , generating roughly $62 million in gains on sale , a sign that capital-market demand for Square’s small-business paper remains strong. Gross profit at Block rose 18% year-over-year to $2.66 billion, while Square GPV climbed 12% to $67.2 billion. Loan and receivable losses increased primarily due to higher origination volumes, not deteriorating credit. Block continues to leverage its deep transaction-level data to price and manage credit risk, while maintaining liquidity through whole-loan sales. Key takeaway:  Square Loans remains one of the most scaled embedded-finance lenders in the market, combining point-of-sale data, instant funding, and secondary-market execution to grow sustainably. Shopify Capital Shopify’s Q3 results show roughly $1.0 billion  in Capital originations, keeping pace with prior quarters and putting the company on track to exceed $3 billion in annual originations  for 2025. Year-to-date, Shopify Capital had advanced around $2.8 billion  through September 30. The company also expanded its lending reach this quarter, launching Shopify Capital in Ireland and Spain , continuing its global rollout after successful launches in other European markets earlier this year. Shopify doesn’t break out loan performance in detail, but industry data suggests consistent loss trends and high renewal rates, supported by its real-time access to merchant sales data. Key takeaway:  Shopify Capital has achieved steady scale and strong renewal performance, driven by seamless underwriting within its merchant ecosystem and continued international expansion. PayPal Working Capital & PayPal Business Loans PayPal’s Q3 report showed that its business-lending operations are gaining momentum  after a slower 2024. The company originated approximately $600 million  in merchant loans and advances during the quarter, with $1.6 billion in receivables purchased year-to-date . At the end of Q3, PayPal held around $1.7 billion in outstanding merchant loans and advances (net)  — up nearly 28% year-over-year . PayPal’s model continues to rely on purchasing receivables from a partner bank and servicing them internally, enabling flexibility while keeping balance-sheet exposure limited. Key takeaway:  While smaller in scale than Square or Shopify, PayPal’s lending arm is showing renewed strength, benefiting from its vast merchant network and improved underwriting visibility. Side-by-Side Comparison Company Product Q3 Originations Portfolio / Structure Highlights Block Square Loans ~$1.7B $1.1B sold to investors; $62M gain Higher originations and stable performance despite volume growth Shopify Shopify Capital ~$1.0B Funded internally; global expansion Consistent volume; now live in Ireland & Spain PayPal PPWC / PPBL ~$0.6B Receivables purchased from partner bank 28% YoY growth in portfolio balance Industry Takeaways for Funders and Brokers Embedded lending continues to dominate.  Square and Shopify prove that lending integrated into merchant ecosystems maintains the highest conversion and repeat-funding rates. Secondary markets are unlocking scale.  Square’s successful loan sales to investors illustrate the power of capital-markets partnerships that independent funders can replicate through participations or forward-flow deals. Credit risk remains manageable.  None of the three reported spikes in delinquency or charge-offs; growth in loss provisions stems mostly from higher originations. Competition is tightening.  Embedded lenders with instant data access are compressing decision times. Independent funders must compete with better speed, renewal programs, and niche expertise. Bottom Line Small-business lending remains a profitable and growing component for each platform: Square Loans  continues to lead with scale and capital-market efficiency. Shopify Capital  maintains strong global momentum with high-quality renewals. PayPal Working Capital  is quietly expanding its footprint again. For brokers, ISOs, and alternative funders, this is another reminder that the embedded-finance players aren’t slowing down  — but they’re also validating demand . The more these ecosystems lend, the more they signal that the SMB funding market is healthy, dynamic, and still full of opportunity for creative, data-driven funders.

In the latest turn in the First Brands Group saga, the embattled auto-parts maker has secured a crucial financial lifeline. Following its shocking Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and the ongoing Department of Justice investigation into billions of dollars in missing factoring debt, the company has reportedly secured $600 million in new funding. This vital cash infusion comes on the heels of what reports are calling a "creditor ceasefire." Here’s a quick breakdown of what this new development means. Key Points from the Update: A $600 Million Lifeline:  The new $600 million in funding is a significant development. This money is likely a form of debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing, which is common in Chapter 11 cases. This new capital is not intended to repay old debts, but rather to keep the company's operations running, funding payroll, paying suppliers for new goods, and managing day-to-day activities to prevent a complete shutdown. The "Creditor Ceasefire":  This new funding was made possible by an agreement, or "ceasefire," among the company's lenders. This is likely a forbearance agreement, where creditors agree to temporarily halt legal actions or demands for payment. This truce gives First Brands critical breathing room to use the new funds to stabilize the business rather than fending off multiple legal battles. It suggests the senior lenders believe there might be more value in letting the company operate and restructure than in forcing an immediate liquidation. A Path to Restructuring, Not a Solution:  While $600 million is a substantial sum, it's a bridge, not a final destination. It allows the company to continue operating while it works through the bankruptcy process. The ultimate goal for the lenders who agreed to this deal is likely to stabilize the company enough to find a buyer for its assets or to reorganize the business in a way that maximizes their recovery. The Investigation Looms Large:  This new financing does not resolve the massive underlying questions. The DOJ investigation into the company's opaque financing and the reported $2.3 billion in "vanished" factoring debt is still the elephant in the room. The outcome of that investigation will ultimately determine the company's future and what, if anything, is left for its stakeholders. In short, this $600 million and the creditor truce provide a temporary, but critical, pause in the company's freefall. It gives First Brands a fighting chance to continue as a going concern while its new leadership and investigators dig into the financial black hole at its center.

Date:  November 13, 2025 Time:  2:00 PM EST Register Here:   Join the Live Webinar Strong underwriting begins with complete and accurate compliance data. Join Syh Strategies  and Enformion  for a live discussion on how small business lenders can utilize real-time  Know Your Customer (KYC)  and  Know Your Business (KYB)  data to make faster, more confident lending decisions, while enhancing onboarding and mitigating risk. As the moderator, I’ll be guiding this conversation on how data and automation are reshaping compliance and credit evaluation in merchant cash advance (MCA)  and equipment finance . Why You Should Attend Small business lending is evolving fast, and so are the risks. Lenders now face rising data complexity, regulatory pressure, and the challenge of balancing speed with compliance. This session will show you how embedding compliance data early in your onboarding process helps you: Detect fraud and hidden liabilities early Improve underwriting accuracy and speed Increase conversion rates through verified, faster onboarding It’s where compliance, customer experience, and portfolio performance meet. What You’ll Learn The Power of KYC and KYB Data Understand the difference between verifying people and businesses, and why both matter for confident lending. The Data Foundation See how Enformion’s 300M+ financial records, 209M+ business profiles, and 260M+ consumer records create unmatched data visibility. The Expertise Layer Learn how Syh Strategies turns that data into actionable workflows for seamless compliance. The End-to-End Flow Discover how to connect verification, debt screening, and monitoring into one smooth process. Who Should Attend This session is built for: Chief Credit & Risk Officers Underwriting & Operations Leaders Portfolio Managers & Data Analysts Executives in MCA, Equipment Finance, and Alternative SMB Lending Compliance, Product, and Technology Leaders If you’re focused on improving speed, compliance, and accuracy in small business lending, this discussion is for you. 👉 Reserve your spot now:   Register on LinkedIn Don’t miss this live, insight-packed discussion on how to turn compliance into a competitive advantage.

How are small businesses navigating lending and cash flow in 2025? In this video, we break down the major business lending trends from the latest Q3 OnDeck & Ocrolus Small Business Cash Flow Trend Report , what’s driving optimism, what challenges are most pressing, and how the landscape is shifting for lenders, brokers, and business owners. Highlights include: Record-high growth expectations The shift toward fintech and non-bank lenders Top pain points How AI adoption is transforming small business operations Why tariffs aren’t the focus for most, and what really matters going into the holiday season Whether you’re a business lender, broker, or entrepreneur looking for actionable data and context, this quick video gives you the key takeaways from the Q3 trend report and what to watch for as we move toward year-end.

Fraud is evolving faster than most companies can react. What once required a sophisticated cybercriminal can now be executed by anyone with access to a generative AI model, a breached data set, or a simple phishing kit purchased on the dark web. The result: businesses across every industry — from funders, lenders to accountants to fintech platforms — are facing a level of fraud risk that’s unprecedented in both scale and sophistication. At MoneyThumb, we see this firsthand. Fraudsters are no longer just exploiting weak passwords or outdated software; they’re mimicking entire financial identities. They’re using fake bank statements, AI-generated pay stubs, and fabricated tax documents, so convincing that even experienced underwriters can struggle to spot the difference. The implications are massive. The FTC reported over $10 billion in fraud losses in 2023, the highest on record — a figure expected to climb again this year. What’s more alarming is that this number only reflects reported  incidents. In reality, the financial impact of unreported or undetected fraud likely doubles that figure. Fraud Has Gone Mainstream — and It’s Getting Smarter Historically, fraud detection relied on pattern recognition: red flags like inconsistent data, suspicious IP addresses, or abnormal account activity. But AI has completely changed the game. Fraudsters now use the same tools businesses do — automation, machine learning, and data synthesis — to stay ahead of detection systems. Deepfake voice technology can impersonate executives; synthetic identities can pass basic KYC checks; and manipulated PDFs can sail through traditional document verification systems. The barrier to entry is lower than ever. For a few hundred dollars, bad actors can access entire “fraud kits” that replicate real bank statements, tax forms, and pay slips — all formatted to match legitimate templates from major financial institutions. In other words, fraud has been industrialized. The Hidden Cost: Trust For financial service providers, the direct monetary loss is only part of the problem. The deeper cost is the erosion of trust. Every fraudulent loan approval, every manipulated financial document, every breached data file chips away at confidence — between lenders and borrowers, between fintech platforms and users, and ultimately, between consumers and the financial system itself. Rebuilding that trust takes far longer than detecting a single incident. That’s why it’s no longer enough to play defense. Businesses must think proactively, not reactively — designing fraud prevention into every step of the customer journey. The New Approach: Continuous Verification and Intelligent Automation At MoneyThumb, we believe the next wave of fraud prevention will be powered by intelligent document and data analysis — technology that doesn’t just validate a document’s appearance but verifies the underlying data patterns. For instance, does the transaction history align with typical spending behavior? Do timestamps match the claimed pay cycle? Does metadata confirm the file’s authenticity? This level of verification requires automation — but also context. Humans still play a crucial role in identifying anomalies that algorithms may miss, particularly in complex financial cases. The most successful organizations will blend AI-driven automation  with expert human oversight , enabling both speed and accuracy without sacrificing compliance. The Arms Race Is Only Beginning The cybersecurity landscape has always been a cat-and-mouse game — every time a new defense is built, attackers adapt. The first computer virus, CREEPER, was created in the 1970s as an experiment. Its countermeasure, REAPER, became the first antivirus. That back-and-forth continues today on a global scale. The difference now is speed. Threats evolve in days, not months. Fraud prevention must therefore evolve at the same pace. Companies need real-time monitoring of network traffic, routine document audits, and consistent employee education around social engineering. And because fraud now spans digital, behavioral, and even biometric fronts, no single tool or vendor can provide complete protection. A Shared Responsibility Combating fraud isn’t just a technology problem — it’s a culture problem. It requires collaboration across departments and industries: finance, IT, compliance, and operations all need a seat at the table. It also requires a willingness to share data and insights with others. Threat intelligence feeds, industry reports, and partnerships with trusted cybersecurity organizations all play a role in creating collective resilience. For businesses, this moment is pivotal. Fraud isn’t going away; it’s getting smarter, faster, and more convincing. The companies that thrive in this new landscape will be those that treat fraud prevention not as a cost center, but as a core competency — one that protects customers, preserves trust, and strengthens the integrity of the entire financial ecosystem. Ryan Campbell  is the CEO of MoneyThumb , a financial data automation company helping businesses securely process, interpret, and verify financial documents with advanced AI technology.

Receivables are supposed to be the “safest” asset on a lender’s balance sheet. Two high-profile cases this fall challenged that assumption. Days after we covered First Brands’ bankruptcy and the $2.3 billion  gap in factored invoices, a separate story surfaced in telecom: lenders allege that companies tied to Bankim Brahmbhatt  fabricated accounts receivable to secure hundreds of millions in loans. The new case: telecom invoices, spoofed domains, and $500 million at risk According to reporting by the WSJ , creditors including HPS Investment Partners , BlackRock’s private credit arm, say entities linked to Brahmbhatt (Broadband Telecom, Bridgevoice, and affiliates) pledged fake customer invoices and email trails  to raise debt. Investigators retained by lenders allegedly found emails from look-alike domains  and invoices that real telecom counterparties say they never issued; lenders now estimate exposures of $500M+ . Several borrower entities filed for bankruptcy in August, and Brahmbhatt has reportedly denied the allegations while lenders pursue recovery. Key alleged tactics described in filings and lender accounts: Fabricated or misrepresented A/R schedules  and customer contracts Spoofed domains  that mimicked actual telecom customers Rapid communication cutoff  once questions were raised Bankruptcy filings  across multiple related entities as litigation mounted The First Brands parallel: when “asset-backed” isn’t If the Brahmbhatt matter sounds familiar, it’s because First Brands  just detonated confidence in trade-finance plumbing. In that case, working-capital provider Raistone  asked a judge to appoint an independent examiner after asserting that $2.3B “simply vanished”  from receivable pools it believed it owned. In court correspondence, First Brands’ representatives indicated they couldn’t confirm receipt of ~$1.9B  of factored cash and said no funds  remained in accounts that should have held proceeds for factors. The U.S. Department of Justice  has opened an inquiry; the U.S. Trustee also sought a court-appointed examiner. Large institutions, Jefferies/Point Bonita  and UBS  among them, disclosed material exposure to the receivables. Same playbook, different sectors Both cases highlight variants of the same core risk: if lenders can’t independently verify that an invoice is real and unencumbered, “asset-backed” can become narrative-backed. Nature of the receivables Telecom case:  Lenders allege outright fabrication , invoices, and email trails that counterparties later disavowed; spoofed domains to impersonate real buyers. First Brands:  Allegations center on double-pledged or misdirected  receivables and missing proceeds, less about forged customers, more about who truly owned the cash flows  and where remittances went. Counterparty scale Telecom:  Concentrated credit with a private-credit giant ( HPS/BlackRock ) and bank participants ( BNP Paribas ). First Brands:  Broad contagion across trade-finance and private-credit desks ( Raistone, Jefferies/Point Bonita, UBS ) and a full Chapter 11 with DOJ interest. Post-discovery posture Telecom:  Multiple company bankruptcies; borrower’s personal bankruptcy; borrower disputes claims; lenders say the principal is overseas. First Brands:  Resignations, DIP financing, and a push for a court-appointed examiner  to untangle ownership of cash and invoices. Why this keeps happening Receivables finance depends on three controls : (1) true-sale and priority  (does the factor really own the paper?), (2) segregated remittance accounts  (is cash swept to the right place?), and (3) third-party verification  (did a real buyer receive real goods/services and agree to pay?). The telecom allegations stress test #3 (authenticity); First Brands exposed failures in #1 and #2 (title and proceeds). When volumes scale and systems are fragmented, “trust me” beats “show me” , until it doesn’t. Lender checklist (right now) Out-of-band confirms:  Don’t rely on seller-supplied contacts. Independently verify buyer identity, domain, and contract authority  before purchasing pools. (The spoofed-domain detail in the telecom case is a red flag you can automate for.) Waterfall visibility:  Mandate daily sweep reports  from lockboxes you control; reconcile invoice-level cash applications , the crux of the First Brands shortfall. Anti-double-pledge tech:  Use registry checks  and invoice fingerprinting  across platforms where possible; require warranties + repurchase triggers for duplicates. Examiner readiness:  In distressed situations, expect calls for independent examiners ; prepare data rooms that clearly evidence ownership and flows. The takeaway for brokers and fintechs These aren’t niche stories. They affect the cost of capital  for legitimate borrowers. Each blown-up receivables deal pushes credit committees toward higher reserves, tighter advance rates, and more verification, especially in telecom, auto parts, and other high-volume invoice sectors . Expect more lenders to demand real-time confirmability  (API-based invoice validation, domain authentication, and payment-rail traceability) before funding. Receivables will remain a cornerstone of working-capital finance. But the lesson from Brahmbhatt’s alleged scheme and First Brands’ collapse is blunt: if you can’t prove  the receivable, and who gets paid when, you don’t actually have collateral.

The Trump administration has cut off hundreds of millions in funding to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) , the very institutions designed to help underserved communities get access to capital. The debate has become a flashpoint for political rhetoric about “woke” initiatives, but the fallout is all too real for small businesses and community lenders across the country. ​ What Are CDFIs and Why Do They Matter? CDFIs are financial institutions, often non-profits, credit unions, and local banks, whose central mission is to lend to low-income, rural, and minority communities that mainstream banks typically overlook. Since their creation by Congress in 1994, CDFIs have supplied vital capital and business education services, filling a crucial gap where traditional lenders often won’t go.​ Programs and grants from the federal government represent a major piece of their business model. In fact, a Federal Reserve survey this year reported that nearly three-quarters of CDFIs rely on federal funding to make loans to borrowers unlikely to qualify elsewhere. ​ Why Is Funding Being Withheld? The administration withheld $324 million already allocated by Congress for nearly 1,400 CDFIs, claiming these funds were supporting a “woke” agenda involving climate change, gender policy, or other “partisan” initiatives. While that characterization has been politically charged, even Republican senators like Thom Tillis (R-NC) have called the cut “amateurish,” noting that CDFIs serve states of all colors, including red, blue, and purple. ​ With funding frozen, the agency that distributes grants, the CDFI Fund, has announced layoffs and service reductions that will go into effect by year’s end, sending shockwaves through the country’s community finance sector. ​ Real Impact for Lenders and Business Owners For business owners, the most direct consequence is the loss of trusted local partners who know their market and have consistently been willing to take bigger risks to support entrepreneurs who are otherwise shut out of traditional finance. In Virginia, for example, the Community Business Partnership, a CDFI operating for almost 30 years, has announced it will close by December 31 after seeing both its federal aid and private grant funding slashed. ​ And this isn’t just about one nonprofit. Many CDFIs are now considering layoffs, merging with peers, or even shutting down entirely. Philanthropic and corporate donors, spooked by uncertainty about the program’s future, have reduced their support by up to 50% in some areas, something that will ripple through lending markets for months to come. ​ The Wider Lending Landscape: Risk or Realignment? Traditional banks often avoid higher-risk lending to lower-income communities, leaving CDFIs to step in, often with loans, technical assistance, and mentorship that make entrepreneurship possible. Without CDFIs, business owners may turn to more expensive options like high-interest credit cards or payday-type loans. ​ Importantly, CDFIs have historically received wide bipartisan support in Congress and across various Presidential administrations. The sector is best understood as a public-private partnership, leveraging federal dollars to attract private investment into neighborhoods most in need. ​ The decision to defund and reduce the CDFI Fund diverges sharply from that trend, and it has even united some Republicans and Democrats in opposition. Over 100 Republican lawmakers recently signed a public letter urging the administration to restore funding and staff to the CDFI Fund, emphasizing the nonpartisan value of these institutions. ​ Industry Reaction and Outlook For business lending professionals, this is more than a political issue; it’s a fundamental challenge to the capital supply chain that underpins Main Street growth. Lending brokers, fintech platforms, and alternative providers may see some near-term opportunity as CDFI lending recedes, but the loss of CDFI activity means fewer healthy, growing businesses in underserved regions, and potentially riskier lending portfolios overall. ​ Fintechs, revenue-based finance companies, and brokers should watch this situation closely. The void left by CDFIs might shift deal flow, open new partnerships, or even put more pressure on traditional credit models, especially for “borderline” files. Meanwhile, business owners who once relied on their local CDFI may face the same sort of rejection that pushed them away from big banks in the first place. Service cuts, consolidation, or outright closure will leave many searching for alternatives in a marketplace not always known for fair pricing or personal service. ​ The Bottom Line Business lending is all about access, inclusion, and healthy risk-sharing. While national politics may frame the CDFI funding issue through the lens of “woke” vs. “anti-woke,” the real-world impact is straightforward: less funding means less access, higher borrowing costs, and fewer resources for those working to bootstrap real businesses. As the political pendulum swings, the fabric of community lending is being tested like never before. The future of CDFIs, and the business dreams they fuel, now hangs in the balance, a situation every professional in the lending ecosystem, regardless of political leaning, should watch closely.

PayPal has officially entered the next frontier of digital commerce, one where artificial intelligence doesn’t just recommend products, but buys them for you. The company announced the launch of Agentic Commerce Services , a new suite of AI-powered tools that connects merchants to customers in an emerging ecosystem of intelligent shopping agents and automated payment systems. It’s a move that positions PayPal at the center of the coming wave of AI-driven commerce , where buying decisions happen through conversations, chat interfaces, and autonomous assistants rather than traditional online stores. The New PayPal AI-Commerce Playbook At the core of PayPal’s new offering are two products: Agent Ready  and Store Sync . Together, they allow merchants to make their products discoverable by AI-powered shopping platforms, and accept payments directly from those systems without writing a line of new code. Agent Ready  will give millions of existing PayPal merchants the ability to accept payments initiated by AI agents or conversational interfaces. That means a product discovered through an AI assistant, browser automation, or chatbot could now complete a purchase instantly, with PayPal handling fraud detection, buyer protection, and dispute resolution  in the background. Meanwhile, Store Sync  will make merchants’ product catalogs compatible with leading AI ecosystems, connecting data on inventory, pricing, and fulfillment to where modern consumers are already searching. It’s PayPal’s answer to the question: how do you sell in a world where AI does the shopping for you? Merchant Benefits That Matter According to PayPal’s announcement, the integration offers several key advantages for merchants: Faster integration:  Store data becomes AI-ready instantly through existing eCommerce partners such as Wix, Cymbio, BigCommerce, Feedonomics , and Shopware . Wider visibility:  Products can appear on AI-driven search and shopping platforms like Perplexity , PayPal’s own shopping assistant (now in testing), and future AI channels still to come. Ownership and transparency:  Merchants remain the merchant of record , keeping full control of their customer data, brand, and relationships, even in agent-led transactions. One-to-many scalability:  A single PayPal integration can connect to multiple AI marketplaces simultaneously. For small businesses, this could mark a significant shift, leveling the playing field by reducing technical barriers to entry in emerging AI shopping environments. From “Lift and Shift” to “Build for AI” PayPal’s GM of Small Business and Financial Services, Michelle Gill , described the company’s focus on meeting customers where AI is already reshaping behavior: “AI is driving the next wave of innovation in how payments are made and managed. Our Agentic Commerce Services connect merchants directly to millions of consumers using agent platforms for their day-to-day shopping needs.” This shift mirrors a larger industry trend. Over the past decade, the conversation around digital payments moved from simply “moving online”  to building cloud-native  and AI-integrated  experiences. PayPal’s latest initiative represents the next phase, embedding trust, payment security, and brand control into a decentralized world where transactions are increasingly automated. The Bigger Picture PayPal’s move comes as tech giants from Amazon to Shopify experiment with AI-powered shopping assistants and recommendation engines. The race isn’t just about convenience, it’s about who controls the consumer relationship  once AI becomes the primary interface for commerce. For PayPal, which has long been a trusted middle layer between merchants and consumers, this is a natural evolution. Its wallet infrastructure, identity verification, and risk management tools  give it a credibility advantage that few others can replicate in the still-uncertain world of AI transactions. The company plans to roll out merchant discoverability on Perplexity by the end of 2025 , with Agent Ready payments  launching in early 2026. If successful, PayPal’s Agentic Commerce suite could redefine the way small businesses sell online, not through storefronts and ads, but through smart assistants that know what their customers want before they even click.

Stockholm-listed Maha Capital acquired Keo World’s credit subsidiaries in Mexico, Brazil, Canada, and the U.S., instantly expanding the company’s reach and giving Keo access to $1 billion in lending capacity for business customers. CEO Paolo Fidanza’s vision for seamless, customizable B2B credit now has the financial backing to compete not just regionally but worldwide.​ What Makes Keo World Stand Out? Custom Credit Lines, Not Just Cards: Keo’s “Workeo” technology utilizes American Express rails to issue real-time, transaction-specific credit lines, offering better terms, flexibility, and transparency for mid-to-large enterprises. Instead of one-size-fits-all lending, each client gets a tailored financing arrangement that can beat traditional card rates.​ Multi-Country Footprint: The merger brings Keo World’s platform to new markets, notably Brazil and Mexico, where demand for faster, smarter B2B payments is soaring. Strategic alliances with local banks, like BTG Pactual in Brazil, let Keo share risk and scale up quickly while collaborating with established financial institutions, rather than competing head-to-head.​ Tech-Driven Partnerships: With blockchain, AI, and American Express’s payment ecosystem, Keo World is building what may be a blueprint for future fintech-bank cooperation: faster payments, more integration, safer credit for businesses, and global reach.​ Growth By the Numbers: The Keo World Momentum Keo World processed over $500 million in transactions in 2024 and is on track for $700 million by the end of 2025, aiming for a billion in the U.S. alone.​ Business customers benefit from up to 90 days to hedge currency risk, customized payment terms, and discounted invoice settlements, features that directly impact working capital and margin.​ Miami’s role as a fintech hub is more than hype. With a team set to double in size, Keo World shows how proximity to Latin America and top talent is fueling real progress in financial inclusion across markets often ignored by traditional banks.​ Not Just Another Fintech Merger Keo World’s latest move isn’t just another “big number” headline; this is a sign of how the B2B credit market is evolving. The future of business lending will be digital, collaborative, and global, powered by platforms that can innovate, integrate, and deliver real solutions to the payment and credit gaps plaguing mid-size and large enterprises. The Keo-Maha deal sets a new standard for scale and cross-border financial innovation in the fintech space.

We spoke with Trey Markel of Centrex Software, Inc., last week about the latest trends in business lending, what he is working on at Centrex, new products for the market, and how business loan brokers can excel with technology. Trey Markel Centrex Software VP Sales & Marketing Phone: (888) 622-5810 Ex: 101

TAB Bank  concluded the third quarter of 2025 with a significant lending surge, successfully closing $67.3 million in new credit facilities spanning 200 diverse deals. This robust performance demonstrates the bank's deep commitment to providing agile capital solutions and highlights a resilient demand for flexible financing in today's dynamic commercial credit market. Key Takeaways Total Volume & Velocity:  $67.3 million across 200 transactions suggests an average deal size of approximately $336,500. This high-volume, mid-to-small ticket velocity indicates a strong focus on the core small-business market, which often requires faster turnaround times than larger corporate deals. Strategic Diversification:  The total financing covered a broad spectrum of products, including traditional working capital, equipment financing, accounts receivable funding (factoring), and small business term loans/lines of credit. This "all-weather" approach positions TAB Bank as a comprehensive partner rather than a single-product provider, mitigating risk across different economic cycles. Targeted Sector Wins:  The deal highlights show commitment to high-demand, infrastructure-critical sectors: A $15 million  deal for a nationwide transportation and logistics company in Missouri reaffirms the strong need for ABL solutions to fuel supply chain operations. An $11.5 million  facility to an Illinois-based distributor and processor of stainless steel and aluminum coil products highlights continued demand in the industrial and metals processing spaces. Commitment to Main Street:  Beyond the large enterprise deals, the bank aggressively funded term loans and lines of credit ranging from $25,000 to $250,000. This focus on lower-end ticket sizes is vital for operational cash flow for smaller, less-established businesses, positioning TAB as a key driver of local economic growth.