A merchant cash advance gives you a lump sum up front, repaid automatically as a small percentage of your future card takings. When trade is quieter, you repay less — ideal for restaurants, takeaways, retail and hospitality.
A merchant cash advance (MCA) is an advance against your business's future card takings, rather than a traditional loan.
You receive an agreed amount up front. In return, an agreed percentage of each card transaction goes towards repaying the advance plus a fixed fee, until the total agreed amount is repaid. There are no fixed monthly repayments — what you repay each day reflects how much you've taken.
Tell us about your business and your average monthly card sales — usually supported by recent statements.
If approved, the provider pays an agreed lump sum into your business account.
An agreed percentage of each card sale goes towards the advance, automatically, until it's repaid.
Particularly popular with businesses that take a good proportion of their sales by card.
Upgrade your restaurant, shop or salon to attract more customers.
Stock up ahead of Christmas, summer or other peak trading periods.
Replace a broken oven, fridge or till without draining your cash.
Fund a campaign, launch delivery or open a second site.
Because an MCA is linked to your card takings, it's a good moment to check your card machine and transaction rates too. We can help with both in one conversation.
Answer a few quick questions and we'll come back to you with options that suit your business. It takes about 60 seconds.
Straightforward answers to the questions we hear most often.
The amount is usually based on your average monthly card takings. Providers often offer a multiple of one month's card turnover, depending on your trading history.
An agreed percentage of each card transaction is deducted automatically — either through your card terminal provider or via a regular collection — until the total agreed amount is repaid.
You pay a fixed fee agreed up front, often expressed as a factor rate. The total you repay is known from the start and doesn't change with how quickly you repay.
No. An MCA is an advance against future card sales. It isn't a loan and isn't regulated by the FCA, which is why we always explain how it works and what it costs.
Providers focus heavily on your card takings, so an MCA may be available to businesses that find other finance harder to access. Approval is still subject to the provider's checks.
