Merchant Cash Advance
Secure finance for UK business growth
✔ Approval within 24 Hours
✔ Funding within 3 Hours of Approval
✔ Up to 95% Approval Success Rate
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The Flexible Alternative to Business Loans
Every business is different, so every business needs different funding solutions. A Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) is accessible, flexible and quick, and any business taking card payments, in person or online, can apply.
Eligibility Criteria for MCA Loans
- Have you been running a business for 4-6 months minimum?
- Do you turn over £10,000 in monthly turnover?
- And you definitely use card machines or online transactions?
Our MCAs offer you a cash advance without securing against property. We don’t rule anyone out for bad credit, and we approve 95% of applications.
Easy Finance, 95% Approval Rate
Fixed repayments can put business owners under huge, unnecessary stress. Instead, our MCA loans provide your business with easy, stress-free finance.
What is an MCA Loan?
A merchant cash advance is a lump sum paid to businesses that take payments by card, based on their average card sales and average gross turnover. This lump sum is repaid by giving us a pre-agreed percentage of your card sales at the end of each business day.
Our Guide to Merchant Cash Advances
Everything you need to know about MCAs.
Flexible Repayments
A Merchant Cash Advance gives your business a lump sum of cash upfront in exchange for a small percentage of your future card sales. You receive the funds quickly, and repayments adjust automatically with your daily takings, so you only pay more when you earn more, and less when you don’t.
Worked Example of an MCA Loan
- Receive £15,000 upfront
- Repay £17,250 in total
- Repayments taken at 12% of your daily card sales
If you process £500 in card payments in a day, £60 goes towards the advance and £440 is settled to you. Based on average monthly card sales of £25,000, the advance could be repaid in around 6 months.
Illustrative example only.
More about MCA Loans
Merchant Cash Advance: The Benefits
Get a quick merchant cash advance with AptPay and give your business a competitive edge.
✔ Fast Approval – Within 24 Hours
✔ Funding Available Within 3 Hours (subject to availability)
✔ Up to 95% Approval Success Rate
✔ Competitive Flexible Repayment Plans
✔ No Business Plan or Security Needed
✔ Repayment Based on Your Actual Credit/Debit Card Sales
✔ Expert Business Funding Advice
What Can a Merchant Cash Advance Be Used For?
A merchant cash advance can be used to grow, stabilise, or streamline business operations without delay, for example by:
- Train and Recruit New Staff: Invest in building a stronger team so you can improve service, boost productivity, and handle more customers.
- Purchase Stock and Supplies: Keep shelves full and meet demand, especially during busy periods or product launches.
- Upgrade or Replace Equipment: Get the tools and technology you need to operate efficiently and stay competitive.
- Stabilise Your Cash Flow: Smooth out seasonal dips, manage unexpected expenses, and keep your business running without stress.
There are no restrictions, no lengthy approvals, just quick access to the capital you need.
Supporting Your Growth
Merchant Cash Advance vs Business Loan
Wondering what the right funding solution for your business is? Here’s an at-a-glance comparison to help you with that.
| Feature | Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) | Traditional Business Loan |
| Speed of Funding | Fast approval and funding within 24 hours | Slowly, the whole process can take days or weeks |
| Repayments | Flexible, tied to a % of daily card sales | Fixed monthly payments |
| Eligibility | Based on sales performance, not credit score | Heavily credit-score and financial-history based |
| Use of Funds | Very flexible, use for almost any business need | Can be restricted depending on the lender |
| Paperwork | Minimal | Requires extensive documentation |
| Impact During Slow Periods | Lower takings = lower repayments | Same payment every month, even when sales dip |
| Collateral Required | None | Often required, especially for larger loans |
| Repayment Term | Adjusts naturally with revenue | Fixed term for months or years |
Looking for a small business loan with fixed interest rates and bespoke repayment terms tailored to your business? AptPay has just the solution for your SME.
How to Apply for a Merchant Cash Advance
Applying is quick and easy:
- Get in Touch: We’ll have a short chat about your business and how an MCA could support you.
- Share a Few Details: We just need to know your average daily card transaction volume and your annual turnover.
- Receive your Eligibility and Offer: We’ll confirm if your business qualifies and tell you how much you can receive as a lump sum, often equal to or even more than your average daily card takings.
- Get Funded Fast: Once approved, the cash can be in your account within a few hours.
Only Repay When You Make Sales
If, for whatever reason, you don’t get paid on a given day, we don’t get paid either. Even if you’re going through a bit of a lull now, we know that you’ll turn it around and be enjoying far higher revenues in no time at all.
That’s why our MCA repayment terms are a percentage of your daily card sales, moving with the natural peaks and troughs of business.
Things to Consider When Applying for a Merchant Cash Advance
- Your Card Sales Volume: Merchant cash advance funding is based on your daily card transactions, so consistent sales help you qualify for a larger advance.
- Repayment Structure: Repayments are taken as a percentage of your card takings, great for flexibility, but they may take longer during quieter periods.
- Total Cost of the Advance: Merchant cash advances use a fixed fee instead of interest. Make sure you’re comfortable with the total repayment amount upfront.
- Impact on Cash Flow: As payments adjust with your sales, merchant cash advances can support cash flow, but it’s important to know how much you’ll be forwarding from each transaction.
- Business Suitability: Merchant cash advances work best for businesses with regular card payments, like retail, hospitality, and service-based companies.
Other Borrowing Options
Why use Merchant Cash Advance Services?
That way you’ll never have to worry about whether you’ll be able to make a repayment on time. You’ll be able to price the percentage of your card sales which you’ll repay as part of your MCA into your expenses immediately, to give you total peace of mind.
We have helped businesses across the UK with their merchant cash advance. If you want to know how we can help you, get in touch with our team and we can arrange a meeting.
FAQ
How do I know if my business is eligible for a business cash advance?
Whether you are eligible for a merchant cash advance depends on a number of factors, including:
- Your business must have been trading using a card machine system for a set minimum period of time (usually 6 months)
- You meet the threshold for minimum turnover by cash terminal a month (usually £10,000)
- You are not currently repaying any other merchant cash advances
How much can I borrow?
The maximum amount you can borrow through a merchant cash advance depends on the average value of your monthly card transactions. You may be able to get up to 100% of the value of your credit and debit card sales.
How do I repay my merchant cash advance?
Our repayment plans for merchant cash advances are flexible, so you repay when you get paid by your clients. The rates are arranged based on the average card payments received by your business at the time of applying for funding.
Can I get a merchant cash advance if I have a bad credit score?
Yes, merchant cash advances don’t usually require a credit check. As long as you meet the minimum card payment value requirements, you should be able to get the funding you need.
What can I use a merchant cash advance for?
Merchant cash advances can be useful when you need funding to help you with:
- Buying stock
- Upgrading your commercial premises
- Funding large orders
- Improving cash flow
- Paying VAT or tax bills
- Buying new equipment
- Launching a marketing campaign
Due to its quick, easy and flexible nature, a business cash advance is the perfect tool to facilitate business growth when you need a small financial boost.
Are there any downsides to a merchant cash advance?
Since merchant cash advances are based on your taking credit and debit card payments, if you run a mostly cash or check-based payment system, this would not be a suitable option for you.
Also, if you wish to take a large amount of cash that greatly exceeds the money you make from card payments, you may want to consider a business loan instead.
Is a merchant cash advance legal?
Yes, merchant cash advances are completely legal and widely used by businesses across the UK. They’re a legitimate form of alternative finance designed to help companies access funds quickly and flexibly.
Do cash advances hurt your credit score?
No, an MCA does not impact your personal credit score. Repayments are taken automatically from your card sales, and because it’s not a traditional loan, it doesn’t appear on your credit file.
How much does a merchant cash advance cost?
The cost of a merchant cash advance is based on a fixed fee agreed up front. There are no hidden charges, no compounding interest, and no penalties. You’ll always know exactly what you’ll repay before you accept the offer.