Merchant Cash Advance
An advance against future card sales, repaid as a share of what you take in.
- Compare several lenders with one application
- No credit pull to see your options
- No fee to you, ever
At a glance
- Best for
- Restaurants, retail and service businesses with strong, steady card sales. We always show you the total payback before you sign.
- How it is repaid
- A fixed percentage of daily card sales or a fixed daily/weekly debit, until the agreed amount is paid.
How merchant cash advance works
Not a loan: a funding company buys a portion of your future card or bank deposits at a discount. It is usually the fastest and most flexible option, and also one of the most expensive.
What businesses use it for
- Urgent cash when a bank says no
- Businesses with high card volume
- Short-term opportunities
How repayment works
A fixed percentage of daily card sales or a fixed daily/weekly debit, until the agreed amount is paid.
Is it a fit?
Restaurants, retail and service businesses with strong, steady card sales. We always show you the total payback before you sign.
Straight answers
Is a merchant cash advance a good idea?
A merchant cash advance can be a good idea for a short, specific need with a clear payback, when cheaper funding will not arrive in time; celerfunding.com, a referral marketplace that compares advances with loans, sees it as a poor fit for covering ongoing losses or paying off another advance. It is usually one of the most expensive ways to fund a business. Before you sign, compare the total payback in dollars with a term loan, a line of credit or a government-backed loan, and check that the daily or weekly payment still works in your slowest month.
Read the guide: Is a merchant cash advance worth it? →
Merchant cash advance vs business loan: what is the difference?
A business loan is money you borrow and repay with interest over a set term, while a merchant cash advance is usually structured as a sale of part of your future card sales or deposits, repaid daily or weekly until an agreed total is paid, explains celerfunding.com. An advance is priced with a factor rate instead of an interest rate, is often easier to qualify for, and usually costs much more. A loan usually costs less but asks for more documents, stronger credit and more time. Because the contract terms and the rules that apply can differ, read the agreement closely and compare the total payback of both.
Read the guide: Factor rate vs APR →
What are the risks of stacking merchant cash advances?
The main risk of stacking, says celerfunding.com, is that every new advance adds its own daily or weekly debit, so cash flow gets tighter with each one instead of looser. Stacking can lead to bounced payments, bank fees and default, and many advance agreements prohibit taking another advance without the existing funder's consent, which can put you in breach of your contract. If you are already stacked, talk to your current funder first, look at refinancing into a longer-term product if you qualify, and be wary of anyone who promises to make the debt disappear.
Read the guide: MCA stacking: why it spirals, ways out →
celerfunding.com is a referral service, not a lender: lenders and funding companies approve, fund and set the terms.
Are you a match?
Lender network minimums
Each lender sets its own criteria for merchant cash advance. These are the lowest minimums in our network. Close but not quite there? Apply anyway and we will tell you honestly what is possible.
*Best available terms from lenders in our network. Every lender sets its own criteria; approval, amount and funding time are decided by the lender and not guaranteed.
| Time in business | 1 year+ |
|---|---|
| Monthly bank deposits | $20,000+ |
| Credit score | 500+ |
| Bank account | Business |
| Fee to you | $0 |
| Credit pull to start | None |
How it works
Three steps from application to funding
Tell us what your business needs.
A few questions and your contact details. No documents and no credit pull yet.
One application. Many lenders.
Every lender looks for something different. We line you up against each one so you only talk to the ones likely to say yes.
Pick the offer. Get the money.
You choose. The lender approves and sends the money straight to your business account.
FAQ
Merchant Cash Advance questions
Who is merchant cash advance for?
Restaurants, retail and service businesses with strong, steady card sales. We always show you the total payback before you sign.
How is merchant cash advance repaid?
A fixed percentage of daily card sales or a fixed daily/weekly debit, until the agreed amount is paid.
Does celerfunding.com lend the money?
No. We match you with independent lenders and funding companies. They approve, fund and set the terms.
Does it cost me anything?
No. We never charge you a fee. We are a broker, not a lender. Lenders may pay us a fee when you're funded; this may affect which offers you see.
Will applying hurt my credit?
Our intake does not pull your credit. Some lenders do a soft pull to pre-qualify you; a hard pull only happens if you choose to move forward with a specific lender, and they will tell you first.
By industry
Industries that use merchant cash advance
Restaurants · HVAC · Bars & pubs · Cafés & bakeries · Food trucks · Convenience stores · Grocery stores · Liquor stores · Clothing boutiques · Jewelry stores · Florists · Ecommerce · Auto repair · Auto body · all industries
Guides
Read before you apply
- Is a merchant cash advance worth it?
- Factor rate vs APR: what a 1.30 really costs
- How to read a business loan offer
- MCA stacking: why it spirals and honest ways out
- Getting a business loan with bad credit
- Seasonal business funding: planning for the slow months
- How fast can I get business funding? Realistic timelines by product
- My bank declined my business loan. What now?
- Can I get business funding with no credit check?
- What are the alternatives to a merchant cash advance?
- Covering payroll when a customer pays late
- Revenue-based financing: how it works and who it suits
- Business funding for sole proprietors: what lenders look at
- Unsecured business loans: can you borrow with no collateral?
Other options
Other funding options
Working Capital
Cash for payroll, inventory and the slow months, so day-to-day never stalls.
Great for: Businesses with steady monthly deposits that need cash quickly.Learn more →Business Term Loans
A lump sum up front, repaid on a fixed schedule. Built for planned growth.
Great for: Established businesses with a clear plan for the money.Learn more →Business Line of Credit
Draw what you need, when you need it, and pay interest only on what you use.
Great for: Businesses that want flexible access to cash rather than one lump sum.Learn more →See your merchant cash advance options
Two minutes, no credit pull, no fee. We come back with real options from lenders that fit.