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As a small business owner, one of your most critical responsibilities is to secure the funding and financing necessary to pay your bills, buy raw materials and inventory, pay suppliers, pay your employees, and undertake all the activities integral to the functioning of your business.

That is often a serious challenge, especially for relatively young small businesses with limited credit history, limited assets to put up as collateral, and similar hurdles. Yet, without access to small business funding, many small businesses can fail.

Fortunately, there is a type of small business funding available that is easy to obtain, even with bad credit, no available collateral, and other business handicaps: a merchant cash advance.

Merchant cash advances, sometimes called MCA loans or merchant loans, may be exactly what your business needs to provide cash for your operations. They present some unique benefits, and operate in a way that is different than more traditional small business loans, for example.

In this article, we’ll take a look at merchant cash advances, including a discussion of what they are and how they work.

We’ll highlight the key benefits or advantages to choosing merchant business funding, and focus on explaining why MCA loans are best suited for certain kinds of businesses (and maybe a bad idea for others).

In addition, we’ll discuss where you can get a merchant cash advance easily and quickly.

What is a Merchant Cash Advance?

A merchant cash advance is a type of business funding that’s not quite a loan, but has a lot of similarities. Specifically, a merchant cash advance provides an up-front lump sum of cash to your business, which you must repay with interest.

In the case of a merchant cash advance, rather than an interest rate, it’s known as a factor rate, but can be considered as comparable. They are usually unsecured, meaning that no collateral is required in order to get a merchant cash advance.

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However, merchant cash advances or MCA loans do differ from traditional business loans, particularly in how the repayment process works.

Unlike a typical loan, where you have a set repayment term and frequency, making equal payments on a particular calendar-based schedule, a merchant cash advance has a dynamic repayment mechanism.

It is repaid via automatic deductions from your credit and debit card sales, and is responsive to your rate of sales. That means you don’t need to hit a certain payment threshold each week/month/quarter, in the way that you do with a traditional loan.

Rather, when sales are slow, your repayments are slow, and when sales are booming, your repayment rate is much faster. This forms the crux of how a merchant cash advance works.

Essentially, unlike a loan, where you are being directly lent funds and repaying them over time in cash or electronic means on a set schedule, instead you are pre-selling a portion of your future credit and debit card sales at a discount to your merchant cash advance lender.

The discount (factor rate) is the “cost” of the service, akin to the interest rate with a traditional loan.

These facts and mechanisms provide a tremendous advantage for certain kinds of businesses, and also feed into some of the unique advantages and benefits of merchant business funding, as we’ll discuss below.

Broadly speaking, the benefits of a merchant cash advance (on its own and in comparison to other small business funding options) fall under one of four distinct categories.These include:

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Easy to Qualify with No Collateral Required

Merchant cash advances don’t usually require any collateral to be put up by the borrower. This not only reduces the risk to the business, but makes the entire application and approval process go more quickly.

The net result is it’s easier and faster to get your merchant cash advance funds, allowing you to respond to changes in your business and financial situation within days, not weeks or months as with traditional, secured loans.

Available for Bad Credit or No Credit Businesses

While there is some level of risk to the lender or servicer in terms of a merchant cash advance, and this is reflected in the factor rate being higher than that of a traditional loan, there is a corollary for the borrower – that is, merchant cash advances for business owners are often the easiest type of small business funding to obtain.

Bad credit scores, limited or no credit history, and other traditional hurdles to accessing funding aren’t usually a problem when taking out a merchant cash advance.

They’re often one of the only kinds of small business funding that companies with bad credit or a limited credit history can even qualify for, and therefore have great value for those most in need of small business funding.

Repayment is Based on Sales, Not the Calendar

Perhaps the most important benefit or advantage of a merchant cash advance is the repayment schedule, and how it is based on sales, not the calendar.

This makes it much easier for businesses to repay – there are no looming calendar deadlines or dates by which you need to come up with a set amount of repayment.

Rather, repayment comes directly from sales, and is dynamic based on your rates of sales, so you’re never on the hook for more repayment in a given period of time than your sales can support.

This greatly reduces the risk of default for many small business owners, and is one of the primary motivations that many cite in seeking a merchant cash advance.

Simple and Automated Repayment System

Speaking of repayment, the best merchant cash advance loans also offer simple and automated repayment.

Everything can be set up and programmed with your point of sale or credit/debit card processing system in minutes, so that you never need to waste time going online to make a payment, or sending in a check, or anything like that.

It’s seamless, set it and forget it technology that leaves you to focus on more important aspects of running your business.

What Kinds of Businesses are Best Suited for an MCA Loan?

Merchant cash advances are not typically available from banks and traditional lenders. Rather, the best source of the best merchant cash advance loans is private companies, known as non-bank lenders.

These companies often don’t have the same kind of restrictions and eligibility criteria that hamstring banks, because they don’t take depositor accounts and don’t have certain FDIC and other covenants to respect.

Rather, they deal in small business lending only, and can therefore offer a full range of products, including those for companies with bad credit, likemerchant cash advances.

These companies often don’t have the same kind of restrictions and eligibility criteria that hamstring banks, because they don’t take depositor accounts and don’t have certain FDIC and other covenants to respect.

The Best Merchant Cash Advance Loans Come From Private Lenders

One of the interesting things about merchant cash advances is that they may not be the best choice for every business, whereas a typical business loan can pretty much be put to good use by almost any business.

Merchant cash advances are really only suited to businesses that do the bulk of their sales, or generate the bulk of their revenue, through credit and debit card sales.

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This means restaurants, boutiques, small service establishments, doctor and dental offices, and similar can greatly benefit frommerchant business funding.

By contrast, businesses that do most of their sales through trade channels and accounts receivable really can’t make use of amerchant cash advance, as they would never generate any credit or debit card sales to repay theMCA loan.

Merchant Cash Advances from BizFly Funding

One of the best sources for the best merchant cash advance loans in the US is BizFly Funding. BizFly Funding is a leading private non-bank lender, who deals exclusively in small business funding.

With a range of small business funding products, outstanding customer service, fast funding, and easy-to-meet eligibility requirements, BizFly Funding is your one-stop-shop for all your small business funding needs, including merchant cash advances.

To find out more, get pre-approved, or start the application process, visit https://bizflyfunding.com.

Frequently Asked Questions about Merchant Cash Advances

Merchant cash advances are absolutely legal, and a valuable form of small business funding that tens of thousands of small businesses rely on to fund their operations.

MCA loans are available from a variety of non-bank lenders and other sources within the US, and similar forms of merchant business funding are available in a number of other countries and jurisdictions as well (though the details of how they work, eligibility criteria, and similar will of course vary).

Merchant cash advances don’t generally hurt your credit score. They are not treated like a traditional loan, since they don’t operate in quite the same way.

Of course, if you are unable to repay the merchant cash advance, meaning you are generating no sales revenue via credit or debit cards, the matter may be adjudicated in court or through debt collections processes, which would result in a report to the credit bureaus that would negatively impact your credit score.

While merchant cash advances may be colloquially called MCA loans, they are not, in legal and financial circles, considered a formal loan.

Rather, they are a sale, where you are selling your future credit/debit card sales to the merchant cash advance provider, in exchange for a lump-sum payment.

It is possible to get several different types of small business loans and credit products without having substantial money in the bank or assets.

However, even unsecured loans and products like merchant cash advances do have some basic requirements, that include a monthly revenue requirement in most cases.

Therefore, if you are a brand new business, with no assets, no money, and not bringing in any kind of revenue, you generally won’t be able to take out any kind of loan.

In that case, you’re looking more for equity partners or venture capital funding/seed funding.

As mentioned above, banks don’t generally offer merchant cash advances, and may not offer small business funding options at all.

Even when they do, the requirements they put in place can be hard for many small businesses to meet, as a means for the bank to manage risk.

Therefore, your best bet for a merchant cash advance would be to find a reputable non-bank lender (like BizFly Funding, as we discuss below).

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FAQs

What is merchant cash advance funding? ›

What is a merchant cash advance? A merchant cash advance, or MCA, is an alternative type of business financing, and is not a traditional small-business loan. With an MCA, a company gives you an upfront sum of cash that you repay using a percentage of your debit and credit card sales, plus a fee.

Is merchant cash advance a good idea? ›

Some merchant cash advances have APRs high as 200 percent of your total loan amount. This can result in costly loan payments. The APR equivalent is so much higher than traditional financing because a bank receives a monthly percentage on the balance your business owes, not the total amount of the loan.

What is the maximum amount for a merchant cash advance? ›

How Quickly Can I Access Funds Through a Merchant Cash Advance? You can access up to $250,000 in as little as a few hours. Above that amount may take a bit more time, but most revenue-based financing funds within 1-3 days.

How much business credit needed to get funding for a business? ›

Still, a higher credit score of 700 or above generally means you'll be eligible for funding with more attractive terms. And while it's possible to get a business loan with a credit score as low as 500, a lower credit score could make it more challenging to qualify for a business loan.

What is a merchant cash advance example? ›

In other words, if you get an advance amount of $10,000 at a factor rate of 1.5, you will pay $5,000 back to the MCA provider as your cost of the capital. In this example, if the holdback percentage was 15% and $5,000 was deposited into your merchant account for today, the holdback would be $750. 15% of $5,000 is $750.

Can a merchant cash advance hurt your credit? ›

While merchant cash advances aren't directly reported to the credit bureaus, failing to repay an MCA can still hurt your credit in indirect ways: Defaults or late payments – If you fall behind on MCA payments, the provider may send the account to collections or file a lawsuit to recoup the money owed.

What is risky about a cash advance? ›

Cash Advances Don't Have a Grace Period

Credit card purchases have a grace period in which you'll have about a month to pay back the money you borrowed interest free. However, most cash advances don't have a grace period, and interest will start to accrue the same day you take your advance.

Can a merchant cash advance company freeze your bank account? ›

MCA contracts often have a “confession of judgment” clause that allows the funder to unilaterally enter a judgment against you if you default. This means they can immediately: Freeze your bank accounts and merchant accounts. Seize your receivables and assets.

Why is cash advance risky? ›

As noted earlier, a cash advance usually has a high-interest rate. If this affects your ability to pay the monthly charges promptly, that also could affect your credit score. And if the cash advance puts you over the card's credit limit, your credit score can be dinged.

How to start a MCA? ›

Brainstorm Your Merchant Cash Advance Company
  1. Create a Merchant Cash Advance Business Plan. ...
  2. Select a Target Market and Service Offerings. ...
  3. Calculate Operating Costs. ...
  4. Identify Potential Challenges and Solutions. ...
  5. Establish Your MCA Business Legally. ...
  6. Obtain the Required Permits and Licenses. ...
  7. Get Business Insurance.

Can you write off merchant cash advance on taxes? ›

You can typically write off the interest portion of a business loan. While merchant cash advances aren't a loan, you may be able to write off its fees on your annual taxes. But like a business loan write-off, you can't use the advance to invest in business growth.

What happens if you don't pay a merchant cash advance? ›

Defaulting on a merchant cash advance can have serious consequences for your business, including extra fees, legal action, asset seizure, and damaged credit. If you're struggling to make your MCA payments, the best thing to do is communicate with your funder as soon as possible to discuss your options.

What credit score does an LLC start with? ›

While LLCs can be started at any credit level, there will be some notable disadvantages for business owners who have bad credit. Here are a few examples: Money will be hard to come by. Having bad personal credit will generally make it more difficult to get a bank loan to start or expand your LLC.

What is the easiest business loan to get? ›

Here are 9 easy business loans
  • Best for Quick easy business loans. Bluevine. ...
  • Best for Easy short-term business loans. OnDeck. ...
  • Best for Easy equipment loans. Triton Capital. ...
  • Best for Easy business loans for bad credit. Fora Financial. ...
  • Best for Easy unsecured business loans. National Funding. ...
  • Best for Easy business lines of credit.

What is the easiest SBA loan to get? ›

SBA Express loans, part of the SBA's 7(a) loan program, offer the easiest application process and the fastest approval times among all SBA loans. These loans, with payoff periods as long as 25 years, are designed for purposes such as refinancing debt, buying equipment, or improving real estate.

What is the difference between a loan and a merchant cash advance? ›

A merchant cash advance is not a loan. It functions as a cash advance based on future credit card sales. It involves receiving a lump sum in exchange for a percentage of daily credit card transactions, with fees and the remittance process differing from standard loans.

How do I get out of paying a merchant cash advance? ›

Ways to get out of a merchant cash advance
  1. A family member or friend who can loan you money interest-free.
  2. Personal savings.
  3. Venture capital or similar new business funding.
  4. Selling assets you're not using.
  5. Renting out part of your business space.
  6. Taking out a conventional loan.

How are merchant cash advances repaid? ›

To repay the cash advance, a small percentage is calculated and is taken with each credit card sale over the repayment period. The agreed upon percentage is called a “holdback.” The lender withholds that amount each day, until the cash advance is paid back in full.

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