Commercial Lending Referral Fees | Payment Structure & Agreement

What Is a Commercial Lending Referral Fee?

In commercial finance, referral fees are commonly used when a professional introduces a business owner or financing opportunity to a financing advisory firm or lender relationship.

Common examples include:

An equipment vendor whose customer needs financing
A broker with a declined file
A consultant whose client needs working capital
A CPA whose client needs funding for expansion
A lender whose exposure is capped
A vendor rep trying to preserve a sale

When a referred transaction successfully funds and the financing firm receives compensation, the referral partner may receive a share of that revenue under the terms of the referral agreement. Brokers and lenders with declined deals can submit opportunities for review.

How Referral Fees Typically Work

A referral partner identifies a client or deal needing financing.
The partner signs the referral agreement. This is required before submitting opportunities.
The partner submits the opportunity through the agreed process.
Axiant reviews the deal and works to place it with an appropriate funding source.
If the transaction funds and Axiant receives compensation, the referral partner may receive their revenue share under the agreement terms.

Compensation is based on successful funded transactions and actual revenue received. It is not paid for introductions alone—only when a transaction closes and funds are received.

Referral Agreement

Why a Signed Referral Agreement Is Required Before Referring Deals

Referral partners must sign the agreement before submitting any deals. This matters for several reasons:

It defines how compensation works—including when payment is made and under what conditions.
It protects both parties—by establishing clear expectations and responsibilities.
It establishes referral ownership and non-circumvention—so both parties understand who introduced the prospect and when compensation is earned.
It explains timing of payments—and any conditions that may affect payment.
It sets expectations around clawbacks, confidentiality, and compliance—reducing misunderstandings.

Without a signed agreement, referral partners cannot submit deals. The agreement is the gateway to participation. Review the referral agreement, then send declined deals and hard-to-place business loans for review. The commercial lending ISO program and equipment vendor process use the same agreement.

Axiant Partners

Key Terms of the Referral Agreement

35% Revenue Share

Referral partners may receive 35% of the gross commission or revenue actually received from a funded transaction resulting from their introduction.

Payment Timing

Payment is issued within 30 days of Axiant's receipt of funds from the funded transaction.

Clawback Provision

Referral commissions are subject to clawback if a funded transaction later defaults, is rescinded, charged back, or causes Axiant to return any portion of its commission.

Non-Circumvention

The agreement contains non-circumvention protections related to introduced prospects and funding-source relationships.

Term and Prospect Protection

The agreement remains in effect for 24 months. Introduced prospects are protected for 60 months from initial introduction.

Independent Contractor

Referral partners participate as independent contractors, not employees or partners.

Compliance Responsibility

The referrer is responsible for ensuring they are legally permitted to receive referral compensation and for complying with employer policies, contractual obligations, licensing requirements, disclosure obligations, and tax obligations.

Employer Authorization

If the referrer works for a vendor, dealership, brokerage, or other company, they are responsible for obtaining any required authorization or consent before participating.

Who Should Review This Page

Equipment vendors

Often encounter buyers who need financing to complete purchases.

Vendor sales reps

Work with customers who may need financing outside their company's standard programs.

Equipment & truck dealers

Regularly see financing opportunities for customers purchasing vehicles or machinery.

Loan brokers

May have files that don't fit their current lender lineup.

Lenders with declined files

Deals outside policy, exposure limits, or credit box.

MCA shops

Clients who need a different funding path.

CPAs & fractional CFOs

Clients who need funding for expansion or operations.

Consultants

Clients who need working capital, equipment financing, or other funding.

Insurance agents

Business owners who need financing for various purposes.

Business brokers

Buyers or sellers who need acquisition or transition financing.

Merchant service providers

Clients who need working capital or revenue-based financing.

Can Vendors or Employees Get Paid for Referring Deals?

In many commercial finance relationships, referral partnerships are common. Whether someone can receive compensation depends on applicable law, company policy, contractual obligations, and internal approvals.

If someone works at a vendor, dealership, brokerage, or similar company, they should confirm they are authorized to participate before referring. The Axiant referral agreement places responsibility for obtaining that authorization on the referrer.

This page does not provide legal advice. We encourage readers to review their company policies and applicable agreements before participating.

What Types of Deals May Be Referred

Referral partners may submit opportunities for various financing categories, depending on the deal. Examples include:

Equipment financing
Working capital
Business term loans
Lines of credit
SBA-related financing
Accounts receivable financing
Revenue-based financing
Commercial real estate financing
Bridge loans
Business acquisition financing
Securities-based lending
Fix & flip financing

These are examples of financing categories Axiant may review depending on the deal structure and circumstances.

Why Partners Refer Hard-to-Place Deals

Common scenarios include:

Borrower declined by a bank
Lower credit profile—including some scenarios starting around 500+ FICO depending on structure
Lender exposure capped
File outside current lender box
Customer needs equipment financing alternatives
Deal too complex for a narrow lending program
Partner wants to preserve the relationship instead of saying no

These situations do not guarantee approvals. Different lenders have different credit boxes. Some deals may still qualify for financing depending on the deal structure, revenue profile, and collateral.

Required Step

Review and Sign the Referral Agreement Before Referring Deals

To participate as a referral partner, the first step is reviewing and signing the Axiant Partners Referral Agreement. This helps define compensation, protect referral relationships, and ensure both parties understand the process before any opportunities are submitted.

Referral submissions should be made only after the agreement is reviewed and signed.

Review the Referral Agreement Download the Agreement Become a Referral Partner

How to Become a Referral Partner

1

Review the referral agreement

Read the full agreement to understand compensation, timing, and responsibilities.

2

Sign the agreement

Return the signed agreement before submitting any referrals.

3

Submit deals for review

Once the agreement is signed, email us your deal.

4

Stay informed during the process

We keep communication clear throughout the review and placement process.

5

Earn revenue share if a referred transaction funds

If a transaction successfully funds and Axiant receives compensation, the referral partner may receive their share under the agreement terms.

FAQ

Questions about commercial lending referral fees

How do commercial lending referral fees work?

In commercial finance, referral partners who introduce business owners or financing opportunities to a financing advisory firm may receive compensation when a transaction successfully funds. Compensation is typically based on a percentage of the gross commission or revenue received from the funded transaction, as defined in the referral agreement.

When do referral partners get paid?

Payment timing depends on the agreement. Under the Axiant Partners referral agreement, payment is issued within 30 days of Axiant's receipt of funds from the funded transaction.

Is a signed referral agreement required before sending deals?

Yes. A signed referral agreement is required before any referrals are submitted. The agreement defines compensation, protects both parties, establishes referral ownership, and sets expectations around payments, clawbacks, and compliance.

Can equipment vendors get paid for referring financing?

In many commercial finance relationships, referral partnerships are common. Whether a vendor can receive compensation depends on applicable law, company policy, contractual obligations, and internal approvals. Vendors should confirm they are authorized before participating.

Can sales reps earn referral fees for business loans?

In many commercial lending relationships, vendor sales reps and other professionals may earn referral fees or revenue share when financing placements close. Practices vary by company and agreement. Confirm with your employer and any applicable compliance requirements.

Is it legal to get paid for referring deals?

In many commercial finance arrangements, referral partnerships are structured through formal agreements. Rules and policies may vary by type of financing, companies involved, and employment policies. Review your employer's policies and applicable agreements. This page does not provide legal advice.

What happens if a funded deal later defaults or is charged back?

Referral commissions are subject to clawback if a funded transaction later defaults, is rescinded, charged back, or causes the financing firm to return any portion of its commission. This is a standard provision in commercial lending referral agreements.

What does non-circumvention mean in a referral agreement?

Non-circumvention provisions protect both parties from being bypassed after an introduction. They typically restrict how introduced prospects and funding-source relationships may be used outside the agreement.

How long are referred prospects protected?

Under the Axiant Partners referral agreement, introduced prospects are protected for 60 months from initial introduction. The agreement term is 24 months.

Do I need employer approval before participating?

If you work for a vendor, dealership, brokerage, or similar company, you are responsible for obtaining any required authorization or consent before participating. The referral agreement places this responsibility on the referrer.

What kinds of financing opportunities can be referred?

Equipment financing, working capital, business term loans, lines of credit, SBA-related financing, accounts receivable financing, revenue-based financing, commercial real estate, bridge loans, business acquisition financing, securities-based lending, and fix & flip financing—depending on the deal.

Ready to Become a Referral Partner?

Review the referral agreement, sign it, and submit opportunities for review

Participation requires a signed referral agreement before any deals are submitted. Contact us to request the agreement and begin the process.

Review the Referral Agreement Become a Referral Partner Send a Deal

Referral submissions should be made after the agreement is reviewed and signed.

How Commercial Lending Referral Fees Work