French fintech company Younited has secured a major €400 million warehouse financing facility from U.S. banking giant Citi, marking a significant milestone in Europe’s evolving credit landscape. The funding, backed by French and Italian consumer loans
This new facility arrives at a crucial moment for Europe’s economy. Governments and regulators are striving to revitalise lending activity and unlock liquidity in the continent’s underdeveloped securitisation market. With consumer credit demand rising amid slow growth, Younited’s model provides a timely solution, offering an efficient bridge between digital borrowers and institutional capital.
Warehouse financing, which is a short-term funding mechanism, allows firms like Younited to use consumer loan portfolios as collateral, thereby increasing their lending capacity without taking on excessive risk. In doing so, the fintech company not only bolsters its balance sheet but also helps expand credit access to more Europeans seeking to finance purchases or home improvements.
From startup vision to European powerhouse
Founded in 2009 by Charles Egly and Geoffroy Guigou, Younited emerged from a vision to transform consumer credit through technology and fairness. Frustrated by the complexity and opacity of traditional banking loans, the founders set out to create a simpler, faster, and more transparent lending experience.
Fifteen years later, Younited stands as Europe’s leading instant credit provider, serving nearly one million customers across France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Germany. Its platform enables individuals to borrow up to €50,000 for periods of up to 84 months, with approval processes that take just minutes. The company’s partnerships span merchants, financial institutions, and online channels, making credit seamlessly available both in-store and online.
Generating close to €2 billion in gross merchandise volume (GMV) annually, Younited now earns nearly half of its revenue outside France, a testament to its cross-border growth and trusted reputation.
Driving transparency and impact
What sets Younited apart is not just speed and convenience but a strong sense of financial responsibility and inclusion. The company’s credit strategy focuses on fairness and personalised budgeting, helping consumers manage repayments more effectively. This human-centred approach reflects its broader mission to make credit transparent, accessible, and equitable for all.
In addition, Younited has also initiated its B-Corp certification process, reinforcing its commitment to ethical governance and social impact. By blending profitability with purpose, the company aims to set a benchmark for responsible digital finance in Europe.
“The signing of this warehouse financing facility complements Younited’s significant retail deposit funding base and provides significant diversification, while adding balance-sheet flexibility towards continued regular use of the public ABS (asset-backed securities) market for refinancing transactions,” said Xavier Pierart, Deputy CEO of Younited.
