Key takeaways
- A merchant cash advance gives you a $5K to $500K lump sum repaid as a fixed percentage of your daily or weekly sales, so payments shrink when sales slow.
- It is the fastest and most accessible form of business funding, with same-day funding possible and approval based mainly on revenue rather than credit.
- It is also typically the most expensive option, best reserved for urgent, short-term needs.
- Qualifying generally requires 3+ months in business and $10K+ in monthly card or bank deposits, with all credit profiles considered.
A merchant cash advance (MCA) provides a lump sum of capital in exchange for a portion of your future sales. It’s the fastest and most accessible form of business funding — approvals are based primarily on your revenue, so credit history matters far less.
How it works
You receive funds upfront and repay through an agreed percentage of your daily or weekly sales. Payments naturally scale with your revenue, so they’re smaller during slow periods.
An honest note
An MCA is fast and easy to qualify for, but it’s usually the most expensive option. We’ll always check whether you qualify for a lower-cost loan or line of credit first, and only recommend an MCA when speed or accessibility is what you need most.