A Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) is a fast and flexible funding solution that provides businesses with immediate capital based on their daily card sales, not credit scores or collateral. It’s particularly suited to sectors like retail and hospitality, where card transactions are frequent. MCAs can be used for cash flow support, inventory purchases, marketing, or unexpected expenses. Repayments are made as a percentage of daily card sales, meaning the amount repaid adjusts with business performance, offering flexibility during slower trading periods.
A Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) is typically available to businesses with a steady stream of credit card sales or other daily card payments. Lenders assess your sales history, business performance, and transaction volume. You do not need to offer collateral, but a strong sales record is essential to qualify.
The amount available through a Merchant Cash Advance depends on your average monthly credit card sales. Typically, MCA lenders offer funding between £1,000 to £500,000. The advance is usually a percentage of your monthly card receipts, with lenders advancing a portion of your future sales.
Once approved, Merchant Cash Advances can be funded quickly, often within 24–48 hours. The application process is streamlined and requires minimal paperwork, making it a fast solution for businesses needing immediate cash flow.
A Merchant Cash Advance can be used for various business expenses, including purchasing inventory, paying for marketing campaigns, covering operational costs, or handling urgent cash flow gaps. It’s ideal for businesses that rely on daily credit card sales or receipts.
The costs of a Merchant Cash Advance typically include a factor rate (instead of traditional interest) ranging from 1.1 to 1.5. The repayment is made daily or weekly as a percentage of your credit card sales, which means payments fluctuate with your sales. There are no set loan terms, but most MCAs are paid off within 6 to 18 months.
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A dedicated finance expert will get in touch to understand your needs and tailor options that work for your business.
We’ll match you with trusted lenders from our panel, offering competitive rates and flexible terms suited to your sector.
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Once approved, your funds are released quickly — often within 24–48 hours — so you can get back to growing your business.
Healthcare (private practices)
Education & Non-profit
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A Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) is repaid automatically as a fixed percentage of your daily card sales, rather than through fixed monthly instalments. This structure provides flexibility, as repayments fluctuate with your business performance.
For example, on busy trading days, more funds are allocated to the repayment, while on slower days, less is collected.
This approach makes MCAs particularly suitable for businesses with variable cash flow, such as retail stores, hospitality venues, or seasonal enterprises, allowing you to access working capital without the stress of rigid repayment schedules.
If your daily card sales decrease, repayments adjust proportionally. Unlike traditional loans with fixed instalments, an MCA’s repayment is directly tied to your revenue, which eases pressure during quieter trading periods.
This sales-linked repayment model ensures that your business can continue operating without the strain of rigid debt repayments, making it an attractive option for companies with seasonal revenue fluctuations or unpredictable cash flow.
The amount you can borrow with a Merchant Cash Advance is typically based on your average monthly card sales, often up to 1.5 times your monthly turnover.
Lenders assess your card processing history to determine your borrowing capacity and to ensure that repayments remain manageable.
This makes MCAs a flexible and accessible funding solution for SMEs, particularly those that may not qualify for traditional bank loans due to limited credit history or the need for rapid working capital.
No, MCAs are generally unsecured, meaning you don’t need to pledge physical assets or property. Repayments are linked to your future card sales, rather than relying on collateral.
However, most lenders may request a Personal Guarantee from the business owner as an additional safety measure.
Overall, the lack of traditional security requirements makes MCAs a convenient option for small businesses and startups seeking quick access to capital without risking valuable assets.
One of the key advantages of an MCA is speed. Once approved, funds can often be disbursed within 24 to 48 hours. The approval process is typically straightforward, with most of the time spent on linking your card processing system to the lender.
This makes MCAs an ideal solution for businesses that need rapid access to working capital to cover payroll, stock purchases, or urgent operational costs.
The fast turnaround, combined with flexible repayments, makes MCAs one of the most convenient short-term finance solutions for UK businesses.
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"Merchant cash advances provide flexible funding based on future credit and debit card sales. Repayments are automatically tied to business turnover, making this an ideal solution for companies with fluctuating revenue looking for quick and accessible finance."
