Plain-English guides to merchant cash advance.
How fixed costs, daily repayment %, eligibility, cashflow and renewals actually work, written for UK card-takings businesses.
Working capital and cash flow for card businesses
How a merchant cash advance releases working capital from future card takings and repays in step with your cash flow.
How fixed costs are set
Volume, trading duration, credit, sector, ticket size, processor mix, what actually moves the rate, with realistic ranges.
MCA renewals, when to top up
Top-ups become available after 50% repaid. The maths of compounding fixed costs, and when to refinance instead.
Payment % explained (daily card sales)
What the daily payment % is, typical UK ranges (8% to 25%), and how lenders set it based on your trading profile.
What lenders look at in your card statements
Volume, consistency, seasonality, refunds, processor stability, and the red flags that kill an application.
Cashflow tips for seasonal businesses
Forecasting, reserves, supplier terms, and when external funding is the right answer, not just the easy one.
Card fees and how to reduce them
Interchange, scheme fees, acquirer markup. Square vs Dojo vs Worldpay vs Stripe vs Zettle, and how to cut your bill.
Getting paid on time, invoicing tips
30-day terms, late fees, deposits, upfront-only, practical levers for B2B-leaning operators.
Dealing with suppliers when cash is tight
Negotiating extended terms, partial payments, when to escalate, and when to walk away from a relationship.
What is a merchant cash advance?
Plain-English pillar explainer: how MCA works, what it costs, who it's for, and when to walk away.
Is a merchant cash advance right for you?
A straight-talking decision framework, the five scenarios where MCA earns its place, and four where it doesn't.
How to apply for an MCA
What lenders need, how long it takes, and the documents that speed up underwriting.
Can I get an MCA with bad credit?
Card trading volume matters more than credit score, but bad credit isn't ignored. What lenders actually check.
MCA vs business loan, head to head
Cost, speed, eligibility, repayment shape, a fair comparison of the two most common SME funding routes.
MCA for seasonal businesses
How holdback-based repayment flexes with peak and trough, and why MCA suits seasonal trade better than fixed monthly loans.
Personal guarantees on MCAs
Most MCA facilities require a director's PG. What that actually means, what it covers, and how to negotiate.
Ready when you are
Ready to apply?
60 seconds to apply. 1 working day to a decision. No obligation, no credit footprint for the initial check.
Up to 90% approval for qualifying businesses