As Amazon Lending broadens financing options, sellers should understand it is an invitation-only program connecting them to various third-party partners, with offers that can dynamically appear or disappear based on changing eligibility.
Every Amazon seller knows that growth costs money. Scaling your business means investing in more inventory, new products, and bigger advertising budgets.
This creates a constant need for working capital. While Amazon Lending has been a major player since 2011, sellers often need more flexibility or different types of financing.
To address this, Amazon is broadening its financing options for small businesses. We explain what these new partnerships mean and how they fit into the program that has funded over $4.7 billion through Q3 2023.
Amazon Lending Expands Funding Through QuickBooks
Amazon"QuickBooks Capital offers access to term loans from $1,500 to $200,000 with a quick application process, using your QuickBooks data to provide a decision in just minutes."
Amazon announced a new partnership with QuickBooks, adding another funding source for sellers. This collaboration brings a new lending option to QuickBooks customers who need capital for their business needs.
The integration is designed to finance marketing, inventory, or cash flow. QuickBooks Capital can help sellers manage these expenses or scale their business to the next level.
Funding options through QuickBooks Capital use the data already available in a seller’s existing account. This allows for a quick evaluation process and personalized funding offers.
According to Amazon, the program provides specific benefits to support seller success. These term loans are issued by WebBank and include the following features:
- Loan Amounts – Flexible funding ranging from $1,500 to $200,000.
- Repayment Periods: Options for 6, 12, or 24-month terms to meet short- and long-term needs.
These terms give sellers flexibility to manage expenses or invest in growth. Final loan amounts and terms may vary based on the applicant’s credit profile and are subject to approval.
Sellers can check their eligibility for this new option directly within Seller Central. To see available offers, navigate to the “Growth” tab and then select “Lending.”
Amazon Lending Offers Are Dynamic and Invitation-Based
One seller posted in the Amazon Seller Central’s Seller Forum that a recently received Amazon Lending offer disappeared after just a few days.
This experience raised questions about why the offer vanished and what action, if any, the seller should take. An Amazon representative responded directly in the forum to clarify how the program operates.
The representative confirmed that Amazon Lending offers are invitation-based and dynamic. Eligibility criteria can change at any time, causing offers to appear or disappear.
Several factors influence these dynamic invitations. An offer’s availability is based on:
- A seller’s sales history and business performance metrics
- The current status of account health
- Customer feedback ratings
- Credit profile and other business factors
The Amazon representative also stated that a disappeared offer can reappear. This may happen if the seller’s account status or eligibility changes.
How the Amazon Lending Program Works
Amazon Lending was a key topic at the Amazon Accelerate 2025 conference in Seattle this past September. Information from Amazon Seller University provides a clear overview of how the financing program operates.
The program is designed for small and medium-sized businesses that sell on Amazon. It acts as a marketplace that connects eligible sellers to a network of third-party financial partners.
Amazon Lending is not a direct lender. Its main goal is to provide quicker access to capital for common e-commerce challenges.
Sellers often use these funds to manage inventory for seasonal peaks, expand their product lines, or cover unexpected operational costs. The platform offers several types of financing for different business needs.
- Term Loans – A lump sum of cash provided upfront. It is repaid with scheduled payments over a set period and often used for large, planned investments.
- Business Lines of Credit – A revolving credit line allowing sellers to draw funds as needed, up to an approved limit. This is designed for flexible cash flow management.
- Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs) – A lump-sum advance provided in exchange for a percentage of the seller’s future sales.
Access to the Amazon Lending program is strictly invitation-only. Sellers cannot apply directly; they must wait to receive a financing offer through their Seller Central account.
These offers are generated based on a seller’s performance and account history. To improve the chances of receiving an invitation, sellers should focus on several key metrics.
- Maintaining Good Account Health – A strong seller rating and following Amazon’s policies are critical.
- Managing Inventory – Consistently keeping products in stock demonstrates a stable, well-managed business.
- Strong Sales and Cash Flow – A consistent sales history is a key indicator for lending partners.
When an invitation becomes available, it will appear on the Seller Central homepage. Sellers can also find offers in the “Recommendations” section, under the “Growth” tab, or via the Seller Central mobile app.
Amazon's Line of Credit and Other Options
According to a NerdWallet article by Lisa Anthony and Rosalie Murphy, Amazon’s business line of credit is an invitation-only offer. Sellers receive invitations in Seller Central based on their sales history.
The line of credit is provided by third-party partners like Marcus by Goldman Sachs, not Amazon directly. After applying, sellers receive an offer, though Amazon does not publicly disclose typical rates or limits.
Repayments are debited automatically, and sellers pay a fixed interest rate only on the funds they withdraw.
NerdWallet also highlights other Amazon credit options:
- Amazon Business Prime American Express Card: Best for sellers who also shop on Amazon. It offers a choice between 5% in reward points or 90-day interest-free payment terms.
- Amazon Pay by Invoice: An invitation-only “buy now, pay later” program for Amazon Business shoppers. It extends payment terms by 30 to 60 days.
Strategic Cash Flow Management and Financing for Amazon Sellers
According to the Amazon Seller Financing Guide by Jordi Ordóñez, sellers must understand the difference between cash flow and cash flow management. Cash flow is the money moving in and out of the business, while cash flow management is the strategic planning to control those movements.
Sellers often need financing for several common scenarios. These include initial investments, inventory purchases, software acquisition, warehouse leasing, and 3PL costs.
Capital is also essential for managing growth and meeting increased demand. Quick inventory reordering helps sellers avoid stockouts and maintain their Amazon performance metrics.
Before pursuing financing, sellers must evaluate critical factors. These include their credit score, the company’s cash flow health, clear borrowing objectives, and a realistic repayment plan, something an Amazon agency can help forecast.
The guide highlights several financing options available outside of Amazon’s direct program. One solution, “Seller Funding,” uses AI algorithms to evaluate a store’s performance.
To qualify for this type of funding, sellers usually need a minimum of six months of selling history and at least $30,000 in sales during that period. APRs often range from 14.99% to 24%, with no prepayment penalties.
Credit lines are another common alternative. These typically require at least one year in business and $50,000 in minimum annual revenue.
Terms for credit lines may include monthly rates from 1.5% to 10% over 16 to 18-month periods. Many providers also offer no prepayment penalties.
The guide also identifies other leading financing resources for Amazon sellers, each with unique specializations:
- Wayflyer – Emphasizes rapid funding.
- Onramp Funds – Specializes in inventory financing.
- Foundy – Offers flexible terms.
- 8fig – Focuses on supply chain financing.
- Viably – Provides data-driven lending decisions.
The key to success is matching the business’s needs with the right funding solution. Seeking financing too early can lead to unnecessary debt, while waiting too long may result in missed growth opportunities.
Payoneer"Securing the right business financing requires an Amazon seller to first know their credit score, master their cash flow, and define clear goals for the loan, its timeline, and its repayment."
