Business Finance Referral Programme Checks
A guide for SMEs assessing finance referrals, rewards, conflicts, privacy and provider credentials.
How to assess a finance referral programme
Referral rewards can influence recommendations, so borrowers and investors should evaluate the underlying product independently.
Identify the operator
Confirm the legal entity running the programme, its current regulatory status and the permissions relevant to the product being promoted.
Read the eligibility rules
Check who qualifies as a new customer, which actions trigger a reward and whether funding or investment is required.
Understand conflicts
A reward may encourage a referrer to emphasise benefits and understate risks. Treat the referral as marketing rather than independent advice.
Protect personal information
Submit identity and financial documents only through a verified provider's official channel.