VIVA Finance, an Atlanta-based financial technology company specializing in payroll-linked consumer lending, has secured a $150 million credit facility from Viola Credit to expand its lending operations and increase access to affordable personal loans.
The financing will provide VIVA Finance with additional lending capacity as it scales its proprietary payroll-linked credit platform and expands its reach among consumers who have limited access to traditional financial products.
Founded by CEO Jack Markwalter, VIVA Finance focuses on helping working Americans access personal loans through a model that integrates repayments directly with employees’ direct deposits.
Rather than relying exclusively on conventional credit evaluation and repayment mechanisms, the company uses its payroll-linked infrastructure to support responsible underwriting and more predictable loan repayments.
This structure is designed to reduce lending risk and enable VIVA to offer competitive loan terms and lower interest rates than many traditional personal loan alternatives.
The company’s approach targets a segment of the consumer finance market that frequently faces challenges obtaining affordable credit through traditional banks and credit bureaus.
These consumers may encounter limited financing options during unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, potentially pushing them toward higher-cost borrowing alternatives.
VIVA aims to address this gap by offering transparent personal loans with repayment arrangements integrated into existing payroll processes.
The new $150 million facility represents a significant expansion of VIVA’s financing resources and is expected to support growth in loan originations, customer acquisition, and distribution partnerships.
The transaction also builds on the company’s recent efforts to expand its presence across the employee benefits and consumer credit ecosystem.
VIVA has developed strategic distribution relationships intended to make its lending products available through platforms already serving working Americans.
One such relationship is its partnership with BenefitHub, which selected VIVA as a preferred personal loan provider for its Benefits+ voluntary benefits platform. The arrangement integrates VIVA’s lending products into employee benefits offerings, potentially broadening its reach among workers seeking financial wellness solutions.
Viola Credit, the lender supporting the new facility, is a global credit asset manager with approximately $5 billion in assets under management.
The firm specializes in asset-based lending and growth capital for technology-enabled financial services companies, including businesses operating across fintech, property technology, and insurance technology.
Viola Credit has completed more than $3.5 billion in asset-based lending transactions across the United States, United Kingdom, Western Europe, and Australia.
Its investment strategy focuses on providing financing to companies developing technologies and business models that challenge traditional financial markets.
For VIVA Finance, the partnership provides access to institutional credit capital and structured finance expertise as it expands its consumer lending business.
The facility also reflects growing institutional interest in lending models that integrate technology, payroll infrastructure, and alternative underwriting approaches to improve credit accessibility.
As VIVA continues to expand its distribution network, the additional financing is expected to strengthen its ability to serve borrowers who may not qualify for favorable terms through conventional lending channels.
The company plans to use the new credit capacity to support its next phase of growth while maintaining its focus on responsible lending, transparent loan products, and improving financial outcomes for working consumers.
KEY QUOTES:
“This strategic partnership with Viola Credit represents a major milestone for VIVA as we continue to scale our platform and expand our market footprint. Viola Credit’s deep expertise in fintech and structured finance makes them an ideal partner for this next phase of our growth. This debt facility empowers us to bring our responsible credit solutions to even more consumers, helping them achieve financial stability and avoid predatory alternatives.”
Jack Markwalter, CEO And Founder Of VIVA Finance
“VIVA Finance has built an exceptional platform that addresses a critical gap in consumer finance. Their innovative approach to payroll integration and commitment to responsible lending have driven impressive performance. We are thrilled to partner with Jack, Hodges and the entire VIVA team to support their continued expansion and mission.”
Michael Chen, Managing Director And Head Of US Investments At Viola Credit
