If you work closely with small business owners — as a consultant, accountant, broker, marketer, advisor, or trusted connector — you are sitting on a powerful and often overlooked opportunity.

Every day, established South African SMEs face moments where growth is possible but cash flow is under pressure. Stock needs to be ordered, staff need to be paid, opportunities arise, and timing becomes critical. When you connect these businesses to the right funding partner at the right moment, you do more than help them grow — you create a reliable referral income stream for yourself.

This is exactly what the Merchant Capital Affiliate Programme is designed to support: a simple, transparent way to earn referral income while helping South African SMEs access fast, flexible business funding. There is no complex administration, no long sales cycle, and no requirement to become a lender. You make the introduction. If your referral is funded, you earn.

This guide explains how to build a sustainable referral business with Merchant Capital.

Understand What Established SMEs Actually Need

Successful referrals start with understanding why established SMEs look beyond traditional finance.

For many growing businesses, time is the biggest constraint. When an opportunity appears — a busy season, a large order, an expansion plan — waiting weeks for approvals and paperwork is not practical. Flexibility and speed matter more than rigid structures.

Merchant Capital provides funding solutions designed specifically for established South African SMEs, offering:

• Fast access to capital
• Quick decision-making
• Flexible repayment structures aligned to business turnover
• Freedom to use funds where they create the most impact
• Funding built for real SME operating conditions

When you refer a business, you are not just pointing them to funding. You are connecting them to a partner that understands their challenges, respects their time, and supports sustainable growth. That reflects positively on you as the referrer.

How the Merchant Capital Affiliate Programme Works

The affiliate programme is intentionally simple.

You introduce a qualifying business. Merchant Capital handles the full assessment, approval, and funding process. When the deal is successfully funded, you earn commission.

There is no need to explain financial products, negotiate terms, or manage applications.

As an affiliate, you receive:

• A dedicated partner manager
• Clear visibility into referral and deal progress
• A transparent commission structure
• Regular updates as applications move through the process
• Support from a team that manages everything from assessment to payout

This allows you to build a referral income stream without disrupting your existing business or taking on additional operational work.

Identify the Right Businesses to Refer

A strong referral business depends on knowing which businesses are a good fit.

The most successful affiliates typically work with SMEs that:

• Have been trading for at least 12 months
• Generate consistent monthly turnover
• Need working capital for stock, equipment, renovations, expansion, or marketing
• Prefer flexible repayment options rather than fixed monthly instalments
• Want funding that can be accessed quickly

Common examples include restaurants, retailers, beauty and wellness businesses, medical practices, mechanics, manufacturers, logistics operators, and e-commerce businesses.

In reality, any owner-managed business with a clear growth opportunity can be a good match. If you already advise or support SMEs, you will naturally notice when funding pressure starts to surface — slower months, supplier demands, seasonal peaks, or expansion plans.

Make Merchant Capital Part of Everyday Business Conversations

The best referrals never feel forced.

You do not need a pitch. You simply listen for cues such as:

• “Cash flow is tight right now.”
• “We want to grow, but the bank is taking too long.”
• “We need capital before the busy season starts.”
• “A supplier needs upfront payment.”

These are clear indicators that a business could benefit from fast, flexible funding.

Often, a single sentence is enough to open the conversation:

“Merchant Capital works well with established SMEs and moves quickly. I can introduce you if you’d like.”

If the business owner agrees, you submit the lead through the online application system. Merchant Capital manages the rest.

Build Recurring Commission Over Time

One of the strongest advantages of the Merchant Capital affiliate model is repeat funding.

As businesses grow, new funding needs arise. When a business you referred accesses funding again, you can earn again. Over time, affiliates build a portfolio of SMEs that return for funding, creating a steady and predictable income stream.

For consultants, accountants, marketers, IT providers, and brokers, this referral income can become a meaningful addition to monthly revenue. For some affiliates, it grows into a standalone micro-business.

Protect Your Reputation With a Trusted Funding Partner

Every referral reflects directly on your credibility.

Merchant Capital has supported South African SMEs for more than a decade and has built its reputation on:

• Clear and honest communication
• Fast turnaround times
• Transparent repayment structures
• Long-term relationships with business owners
• Consistent repeat funding and renewal rates

You can refer with confidence, knowing your clients will be treated professionally and responsibly.

Use the Tools and Support Available to Affiliates

Merchant Capital actively supports affiliates with tools designed to improve referral success:

• A dedicated partner manager
• Real-time referral tracking and feedback
• Performance visibility through the affiliate dashboard
• Marketing resources to support conversations
• Guidance on identifying strong referral opportunities
• Insights into what improves approval outcomes

These resources allow you to operate your referral activity professionally from day one.

Practical Ways to Grow Your Referral Business

Once your first referrals are complete, consistency becomes the growth lever.

1. Map your existing network
   List clients, suppliers, partners, and business owners you already engage with.
2. Include funding in business discussions
   Make growth capital part of broader conversations about sustainability and expansion.
3. Ask one simple question regularly
   A monthly check-in keeps you relevant:
   “Are there any growth plans coming up that might need funding?”
4. Position yourself as a connector, not a seller
   Your value lies in introductions, not persuasion.
5. Track conversations and follow-ups
   Momentum builds through consistency and visibility.

Stronger SMEs Start With the Right Connections

Building a referral business with Merchant Capital is about understanding your business community and acting when the timing is right.

You help established SMEs access capital efficiently. Merchant Capital manages the funding process. You earn by bringing the two together.

It is a simple, sustainable model built on trust — the same principles that underpin successful South African businesses.

Start Earning as a Merchant Capital Affiliate

If you want to build a reliable referral income stream while supporting SME growth, the Merchant Capital Affiliate Programme gives you everything you need to get started.

Submit a referral, track progress, and earn when funding is approved.

Enquire today and start earning by helping South African small businesses grow.

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