Est. 2026
Independent Certification for Alternative Finance Organizations
Secure Funder™ certifies organizations that meet baseline standards for handling sensitive merchant information. Independently administered. Publicly listed.
Secure Funder™ certifies organizations that meet baseline standards for handling sensitive merchant information. Independently administered. Publicly listed.
Alternative finance has grown rapidly, but unlike traditional banking, there is no regulatory body overseeing how organizations handle sensitive information. As a result, misuse of data has become a serious and persistent problem in the industry.
Secure Funder™ certifies organizations that meet baseline standards for handling sensitive merchant information. The program’s mission is to promote responsible data handling across the alternative finance industry through practical, independently verified standards—giving organizations a clear way to demonstrate leadership and publicly distinguish themselves from those involved in the unauthorized use or sale of sensitive information.
A publicly searchable listing of every organization that has completed independent verification — available to merchants, brokers, and partners.
Small business owners enter alternative finance through many different paths. While marketplace platforms and paid directories are widely available, none require independent verification to ensure providers handle sensitive personal and financial information responsibly.
Our long-term mission is to ensure the Secure Funder™ Directory is accessible through the channels small business owners already trust — from online search to community organizations and local small-business resource centers. Regardless of where their journey begins, they should have access to a verified, credible starting point before selecting a provider.
With nearly 20 years in alternative finance, Christina brings deep operational experience to the Secure Funder program — from ISO operations and funder relationships to the day-to-day realities of how merchant data moves through the industry. She founded Aquamark to address the data security challenges she witnessed firsthand, and created Secure Funder to give the industry a practical framework for self-governance.
A straightforward process without adding operational burden.
Complete form in seconds.
Listed as "In Progress" — signaling your commitment.
Address gaps and complete verification.
Directory status updated and program announcement.
Join the first group of organizations establishing data-handling standards in alternative finance. The directory launches April 1, 2026.
