How This Fintech Raised $61M to Lend to People Banks Ignore
Jan de Vries ยท
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Plend secures $61M from Triple Point to expand responsible lending. The fintech uses Open Banking data and its PLEND Score to serve borrowers overlooked by traditional banks.
A London-based fintech is proving that credit scores aren't everything. Plend, a responsible lender focused on financial inclusion, just secured a funding facility worth up to $61 million (about $50 million) from Triple Point, a specialist investment manager also based in London.
### The Deal in Plain Numbers
The initial facility is a senior revolving credit line of $24.4 million (roughly $20 million), with the option to expand to $50 million. This capital will fuel Plend's next growth phase. For context, Triple Point manages around $3 billion across private credit, clean energy, and social housing. Both companies are Certified B Corporations, meaning they meet high standards of social and environmental performance.
### Why This Matters for Borrowers
Plend uses Open Banking data and its own PLEND Score technology to assess affordability based on real financial behavior, not just a traditional credit score. This lets them serve near-prime borrowers who often get overlooked by mainstream banks. Instead of juggling multiple high-interest debts, customers can consolidate everything into a single, more manageable payment plan.
James Pursaill, Plend's CEO and founder, put it simply: "Our mission has always been to prove that a person is more than their credit score." He added that this partnership will give thousands more people access to fair credit.
### A New Frontier for Triple Point
Ellis Diamanti, Head of Specialty Finance at Triple Point, noted this is their first venture into consumer lending. "Plend has built a distinctive platform that combines tech-led underwriting with a strong commitment to responsible lending," he said. The deal reflects their confidence in Plend's approach and the growing demand for inclusive financial services.
### What Plend Plans to Do Next
Plend will use the facility to refinance its existing debt and fund new loans. This gives them committed capital to scale their platform and reach even more underserved borrowers. It's a clear signal that the market for alternative credit assessment is maturing, and investors are betting big on it.
### Key Takeaways
- Plend secured up to $61 million from Triple Point.
- The PLEND Score uses Open Banking data to assess affordability.
- This marks Triple Point's first consumer lending deal.
- Both companies are B Corps focused on social impact.