Some online lenders obtain access to a prospective borrower’s accounting software, merchant accounts, shipping, and payroll data in real time in order to underwrite businesses. Business owners can receive funds in a couple of days or even hours.
This emergence of online lenders is part of a broader evolution of financial technology—or “fintech"—as seen in a wide range of products and services for both consumers and small 4/7  BIS central bankers' speeches  businesses. I’m not surprised to see this important topic on your conference agenda.