Investing Glossary

Merchant Cash Advances

Start Investing

A merchant cash advance (MCA) is a short-term financing option in which a business receives a lump sum of funding and pays the money back incrementally. An MCA allows a business owner who accepts credit card payments or has other payment or receivables streams to obtain an advance of the funds regularly flowing through the business’ merchant account. A merchant cash advance (MCA) is not a loan, but rather an advance based upon the future revenues or credit card sales of a business. A small business can apply for an MCA and have an advance deposited into its account fairly quickly. An agreement is made between the small business and the MCA provider regarding the advance amount, payback amount, and holdback percentage. Once an agreement is made, the advance is transferred to the business’ bank account in exchange for a future percentage of receivables or credit card receipts. Each day, an agreed upon percentage of the daily revenues or credit card receipts are withheld to pay back the MCA. This is called a “holdback” and will continue until the advance is paid in full. Access to a business owner’s merchant account eliminates the collateral required for a traditional small business loan.

Back to Investing Glossary

Need help? Speak with our investment professionals now

Book Now