If you’re a business owner in need of fast cash, you may have heard about Merchant Cash Advances (MCA) as a financing option. But what is a Merchant Cash Advance and how does it work? In this blog post, we’ll explain what a Merchant Cash Advance is and how it works so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not this type of financing is right for you.
What is an MCA (Merchant Cash Advance)?
A Merchant Cash Advance is an alternative form of business financing that enables a business to get quick access to working capital without having to go through the traditional banking process. Unlike a loan, which requires a lengthy application process that may take weeks or even months to be approved, an Merchant Cash Advance takes only days—sometimes even hours—to approve. This makes it ideal for businesses who need fast access to cash but may not qualify for traditional bank loans.
For example, if your company needs money quickly, but doesn’t have time to wait for traditional bank approval, then an Merchant Cash Advance can help bridge the gap until you can secure the long-term financing needed to expand your business. In addition, because Merchant Cash Advances are based on daily sales instead of credit score, they are often easier for businesses with bad credit scores or low revenue histories to obtain than other types of financing.
How Does It Work?
With a merchant cash advance, the lender provides funds upfront in exchange for a percentage of future revenues. This means that repayment amounts remain consistent regardless of income fluctuations; when sales go up repayment increases but when sales slow down repayment decreases accordingly. The lender collects back their investment plus fees by automatically deducting a percentage from each transaction until the full amount has been repaid with interest over time.
Merchant cash advances also come with fewer restrictions than other forms of financing; there are no fixed payment schedules or collateral requirements like with traditional bank loans so businesses don’t have to worry about missing payments or putting their assets at risk if they are unable to repay the advance.
When to Apply for Merchant Cash Advances
The first step in deciding when to apply for a merchant cash advance is to assess your current need for capital.
- Have you had financial hardships due to unavoidable circumstances such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic?
- Are you planning on expanding your business and need a cash infusion in order to get started?
A Merchant Cash Advance typically provides flexible repayment schedules that can help cover these types of short-term needs.
You should also consider your current financial position. Do you have sufficient income coming in, both currently and projected for the near future? MCAs require merchants to have steady incoming revenue, so it’s important that you are confident in your ability to make timely payments. Additionally, most lenders will review credit scores of all partners or owners before approving or denying MCA applications, so make sure all parties involved are aware of their credit scores before applying.
It’s also important to compare Merchant Cash Advance providers before selecting one for your application process. All lenders offer different terms and conditions when providing loans, so take the time do do some research into which company offers the best fit for your particular situation. Check interest rates, application fees, customer service reviews and other factors that play into selecting the right lender partner.
What’s Required to Apply for a Merchant Cash Advance?
The first requirement is to be approved as an existing business owner. Most Merchant Cash Advance lenders require that applicants have been in business for at least 6 months and have $5,000 in monthly revenue over their most recent 3 months of processing credit card transactions or sales receipts. This helps the lender know your business has shown commitment and sustainability over that period of time and can make timely payments on the loan.
Second, you should have a good personal and/or business credit score. While many lenders don’t require an exact credit score to be approved, they will look at your creditworthiness and overall financial health before deciding whether or not to grant you a loan. The better your credit score, the better your chances are of being approved!
Thirdly, you should have financial statements available that demonstrate your ability to repay the loan amount requested. These often include bank statements, balance sheets and other documents that demonstrate profitability and stability. It’s important to have these in order before submitting an application so lenders can easily review and assess their potential risk when providing funds.
Be sure to provide any additional documents such as tax returns or UCC filings depending on the lender’s requirements – especially if you’re starting a new venture or planning on expanding your existing one. Having these ready ahead of time will help expedite the entire process!
How Much Does a Merchant Cash Advance Really Cost?
The most important factor affecting MCA costs is the amount of money you’re borrowing. Most lenders will charge an upfront fee on top of the total loan amount requested, which can range from 2%-6% depending on how much amount you’re taking out – the more you borrow, the lower the percentage usually is. On top of that, there may also be additional fees charged by some lenders in order to cover their administrative costs or other expenses associated with providing this type of financing.
In addition to these fixed fees, interest rates also play a big role in determining overall MCA costs. Interest rates vary from lender to lender but typically range from 10%-30%, though some lenders offer lower rates for larger loans or for businesses that have strong repayment histories. Furthermore, many MCA providers offer flexible repayment schedules and/or discounts if payments are made on time – so if cost savings are a concern, make sure to inquire about any potential options when choosing your lender partner!
Finally, it’s important to consider any hidden costs such as early termination fees or prepayment penalties that may be included in the contract that aren’t always immediately apparent – so make sure to read through all terms thoroughly before signing anything.
Final Thoughts
Merchant cash advances offer many benefits for businesses seeking fast access to working capital without having to go through lengthy approval processes or put up collateral. However, it’s important to remember that this type of financing comes with higher interest rates than traditional bank loans and should only be used as a short-term solution while waiting for long-term funding options. As always when considering any form of financing, be sure to do your research and ask questions before making any decisions! With the right information and strategy behind it, obtaining merchant cash advances can be just what your business needs in order to succeed!
