Klarna rival Zilch raises $125 million with aim to triple sales and accelerate path to IPO

LONDON — British fintech firm Zilch said Wednesday it’s raised $125 million in debt financing from German banking giant Deutsche Bank in a deal that will help the company triple sales in the next couple of years and move closer toward an initial public offering.

The company, which offers shoppers the ability to purchase items and pay off the debt they owe in monthly, interest-free installments, said the debt was structured as a securitization, where multiple loans can be packaged together.

Zilch initially sourced credit for its installment plans and other loans from Goldman Sachs’s private credit arm. The company said the deal with Deutsche Bank came with more flexible terms and would enable it to draw down up to $315 of credit in total — including from different banks.

Philip Belamant, Zilch’s CEO and co-founder, noted the terms of its arrangement with Goldman Sachs were beneficial for a young, fast-growing startup — but ultimately too restrictive. Zilch’s capital needs have accelerated as the business has matured, and required a credit arrangement that was more flexible, he said.

Source: CNBC