Merchant Cash Advance
A merchant cash advance gives you a lump sum of capital today based on your future revenue. No fixed monthly payments. No collateral. Repayment flexes with your daily sales, so you pay more when business is strong and less when it slows down. Rise provides MCA funding with same-day approvals and capital deposited within 24 hours. Whether you need $5,000 to bridge a gap or $500,000 to seize an opportunity, a merchant cash advance gets you funded fast when traditional lenders say no.
Check Eligibility
What Is a Merchant Cash Advance?
A merchant cash advance (MCA) is not a loan. It is a purchase of your future receivables at a discount. A funding company advances you a lump sum of capital, and in return, you agree to repay a set amount from your daily or weekly revenue. Because repayment is tied to your sales, your payments adjust automatically: higher when business is strong and lower during slower periods.
MCAs are one of the most accessible funding options available. There is no collateral requirement, no fixed monthly payment, and approval is based primarily on your revenue history rather than your credit score. This makes an MCA a strong option for businesses that may not qualify for a traditional business line of credit or long-term loan.
Unlike a term loan where you receive a fixed amount and make scheduled payments, an MCA adjusts to your business rhythm. Use our business loan calculator to estimate your total repayment cost before you apply.
Requirements to Qualify for a Merchant Cash Advance
Personal FICO Score
No minimum (500+ preferred)
MCAs are one of the most accessible funding options. Credit score is not the primary factor. Revenue performance matters far more than credit history.
Monthly Revenue
$10,000+
Your monthly revenue is the most important qualification factor. MCA providers evaluate your bank deposits to determine the advance amount you can receive and your ability to handle daily repayments.
Time in Business
3+ months
MCAs have the lowest time-in-business requirement of any funding product. Even newer businesses with strong revenue can qualify.
Bank Account
Business account required
Used to verify revenue patterns and manage automated daily or weekly repayment deductions. Personal accounts are not accepted.
Not sure if you qualify? MCAs are designed for businesses that need capital fast, even when traditional lenders say no. Rise evaluates your full revenue picture, not just a credit score. Businesses across all industries are welcome, including restaurants managing seasonal swings and retailers stocking inventory for peak seasons.
How a Merchant Cash Advance Works
Revenue Split
A fixed percentage of your daily credit card or total revenue is automatically deducted as repayment. This percentage, called the holdback rate, typically ranges from 5% to 20% of daily sales and is agreed upon before you accept the advance.
Daily or Weekly Remittance
Payments are collected automatically from your merchant account or bank deposits on a daily or weekly basis. There are no manual invoices, no checks to write, and no payment dates to remember. The process runs in the background while you focus on operations.
Payments Flex With Your Sales
When sales dip, your repayment amount decreases proportionally. When revenue increases, you pay the advance off faster. This built-in flexibility means your cash flow is never squeezed by a rigid payment schedule that ignores your actual business performance.
No Fixed End Date
There is no set repayment term like a traditional loan. Your advance is paid off based on the pace of your revenue, not a calendar deadline. Most MCAs are fully repaid within 4 to 18 months depending on your daily sales volume.
See If You Qualify in Minutes
Find out how much capital your business can access based on your revenue. The application takes less than 5 minutes and won't impact your credit score.
Pros & Cons of a Merchant Cash Advance
Pros
Fastest Access to Capital
Get funded in as little as 24 hours with minimal paperwork. Most MCA applications are reviewed within hours, making it the fastest funding option available for small businesses.
No Fixed Monthly Payments
Repayment adjusts automatically with your revenue. You pay more when sales are strong and less when they slow down. This revenue-based structure protects your cash flow during unpredictable periods.
No Collateral Required
MCAs are unsecured. You do not need to put up property, equipment, inventory, or other assets to qualify. Your future revenue is the only consideration.
Minimal Credit Requirements
Approval is based primarily on your daily sales volume and revenue consistency, not your personal credit score. Businesses with FICO scores below 500 can still qualify if their revenue is strong.
Simple Application Process
No tax returns, no financial statements, no business plans. Most MCA applications require only recent bank statements and basic business information, and the entire process can be completed online in minutes.
Cons
Higher Cost Than Traditional Financing
MCAs carry factor rates typically ranging from 1.2 to 1.5, making them more expensive than a business line of credit, SBA loan, or traditional term loan. The convenience and speed come at a premium.
Daily or Weekly Deductions Impact Cash Flow
Automatic daily or weekly deductions from your revenue can put pressure on cash flow during slower periods. Businesses with thin margins should carefully evaluate the holdback percentage before committing.
Not Ideal for Long-Term Capital Needs
MCAs are designed for short-term funding needs. If you need capital for a multi-year investment like real estate or major expansion, a long-term business loan offers a better structure with lower total cost.
Alternatives to a Merchant Cash Advance
- Fixed repayment schedule with predictable daily, weekly, or monthly payments
- Lower total cost than MCAs for businesses that qualify
- Lump sum funding for one-time investments or purchases
- Requires slightly stronger credit and more documentation
- Less flexible; payments stay the same regardless of your revenue
- Draw funds only when you need them, pay interest on what you use
- Revolving credit replenishes as you repay for ongoing access
- Great for managing recurring cash flow gaps and seasonal needs
- May require a longer operating history and higher credit score
- Lower cost over time but less immediate than an MCA
- Repayments scale with your monthly revenue, similar to an MCA
- Typically structured as a loan with a fixed repayment cap
- No equity dilution, so you keep full ownership of your business
- Often offers longer repayment windows than a merchant cash advance
- Good fit for businesses with consistent but growing revenue
Frequently Asked Questions About
Merchant Cash Advances
No. A merchant cash advance is not a loan. It is a purchase of your future receivables. You receive a lump sum upfront and repay it through a percentage of your daily or weekly sales. Because it is not technically a loan, MCAs are not subject to the same regulations as traditional lending products and use factor rates instead of interest rates.
Trusted by Small Businesses Across the USA
Fast Approval
As Little As 2 Hours
Funding Available
$5K to $5M
Businesses Funded
Across All 50 States
Merchant Cash Advance in Your State
Available across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Pick your state to see local programs, qualification specifics, and state-tailored FAQs.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Get The Capital You Need, Without The Wait
Apply for a merchant cash advance today and get funded as fast as 24 hours. No collateral, no fixed payments, and approval based on your revenue, not your credit score.