Amazon Taps JPMorgan-Backed Startup for Loans to Online Sellers

Amazon.com Inc. is partnering with a JPMorgan Chase & Co.-backed startup to provide financing for small online businesses, many of which need immediate capital to replenish depleted holiday inventories.

Slope, a San Francisco-based finance technology firm, will offer pre-screened loans of up to $5 million to merchants that sell on Amazon’s web store, the company announced Tuesday. Amazon gives Slope access to sales data so it can find candidates. Slope often charges about 2.5% on a 60-day loan, which translates to an annualized rate of about 15%.

Tariff-related uncertainty made many small businesses skittish about placing large orders heading ...