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3 Signs You Should Consider a Merchant Cash Advance

3 Signs You Should Consider a Merchant Cash Advance

30
Apr 2019
1
Jan 2025

A merchant cash advance (MCA) is a popular alternative to the more traditional business loan, but these cash advances are not a perfect fit for every business owner. If you are looking for different financing options, consider some of the main reasons small business owners decide to choose an MCA.

MCA Repayments Are Within Sight

The repayment of a merchant cash advance is generated through a percentage of future credit and debit card revenue. If you believe that you will have the funds to repay the MCA in a reasonable time period, an MCA is a great option for a temporary cash infusion.

You Need Funding Fast

The approval process for an MCA compared to a business loan is considerably faster. Most MCA providers can approve applications and provide funding within 24-48 hours. If you know you have money coming in, but need a little extra to cover over a cash flow gap, to buy equipment, or to invest in business growth, an MCA is a great option.

No Restrictions

Some traditional lending options may put restrictions or dictate how you can spend any money you have borrowed. With a merchant cash advance, business owners are free to do what they need to do, and the approval is based on future revenue projections of the business, not its current value.Not having a constant supply of capital on hand shouldn’t stop you from growing your business. We can help you determine whether an MCA is right for you. Speak to an expert today.

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5 Most Common Reasons Businesses Look for Funding

Funding is the only way to turn startups into successful businesses. Getting funding is easier said than done. However, it’s a fact that you need sufficient money to get your business to the next level. Investment and funding are required to raise the necessary capital to either initiate or run a business. The working capital is the option on which companies rely for the smooth running of affairs and uncalled crisis. Funding coupled with motivation, determination, and brilliant ideas can kick start the business off the ground.Lack of proper and timely funding can collapse business strategies and decrease capital, which ultimately causes failure. If you’re wondering why businesses consider looking for funding, you’re at the right place. Following are some reasons due to which funding becomes essential for companies.

Development

Growth and development are the foremost motives of a business before seeking funding. Acquiring new clients, local businesses, and marketing to improve outreach are all the prospects of growth. Establishing additional branches and expanding services is also the result of the funding sought for the sake of growth.

Working Capital

Another significant reason for obtaining fundings is working capital. Working capital is the monetary assets that provide the companies with sustainability. Managing regular affairs and retaining the quality of services are done through the working capital. It can be used to stock the inventory and carry out successful purchases by efficient expenditure. Insufficient working capital can cause detrimental effects to the business in the longer run. The current affairs and prospects depend on the working capital, which is provided through funding.

Acquiring Assets

To hold a firm position in the market and among the competitors, businesses need to purchase assets. Eliminating the competitors in the market is the feature of having more assets. Businesses can emerge out as a winner when they become the sole provider of a service. Companies can either buy shares or completely acquire other businesses. Assets not only strengthen the company but also enhance its market value.

Initiating New Ventures

Companies use funding to plant new ventures. These endeavours can promote the business and increase its progress. To conduct these strategic ventures companies, need ambition and funding. They can articulate ambition in their employees, but for funding, they need help.

Boosting Startups

Funding is vital to support startups in the fierce market. Startups usually have scant resources that can soon become insufficient, leading to a business catastrophe. Startups need financial help and investments to accomplish their goals and thrive among the competitors.

Getting an MCA

Companies can find investors that either work independently or with an organization to gain the required funding. They can also opt for loans from banks. However, the much better alternative is a merchant cash advance that focuses on the growth of a business. Companies prefer MCA as the conditions of the loan are appropriate to their predicament. The best part about getting an MCA is that paying it back is extremely convenient. You’ll only be paying back a specific percentage of your monthly earning. And, if there’s a month where you don’t generate revenue due to whatever reason, you won’t need to pay the finance company back anything.Receiving timely fundings can save companies from derailments. If you’re looking for a financial organization that can get you the resources you need to boost your business, 2M7 is just the company you should work with. We’ve helped hundreds of companies like yours in the past with our incredible 97% approval rating. We offer merchant cash advances to businesses in all industries and of all sizes. Gain an edge over your competition and contact us today.

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Starting a new business can be an exciting and exhilarating experience, but sometimes small business owners get caught up wearing too many hats that they stumble into common business pitfalls. Avoid risks in your organization by learning the top small business threats.

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Smaller businesses may not have the in-house legal expertise to read over contracts and consistently ensure legal compliance. Whether you decide to hire someone with legal experience or find an outsourced partner, small business owners should always feel confident they are protected against legal action.

Liability Concerns (Personal and Business)

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Unforeseen Interruptions

No matter how well you plan, something is going to go wrong. Whether it’s a cash flow gap, unexpected work delay, or a flood, there will eventually come a time when you will need additional funding or capital to get through the interruption. While a business loan might first come to mind, consider a merchant cash advance to get funding faster.If you are looking for an alternative funding solution made for small businesses, consider how a merchant cash advance can help you get back on track. Talk to one of our experts today.

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What Is a Merchant Cash Advance?

Many businesses today are facing a cash crunch. In this environment, it’s important to understand the options you have as a business owner. There may be more avenues available than you think.One of those could be a merchant cash advance. What is a merchant cash advance, and how does it work? This guide answers these questions and more.

What Is a Merchant Cash Advance?

A merchant cash advance, or MCA, is a financing option available to many retailers, restauranteurs, and other business people. With this option, you receive cash in advance of actually earning it. The lender assesses you against your anticipated future credit card sales. They’ll then offer you a percentage of those sales as cash.You pay the advance back as you make those credit card sales. The lender takes a set percentage of each sale and puts it towards paying back the advance.

How Are MCAs Different from Business Loans?

A merchant cash advance is different from a business loan in a few ways. First, a business loan is assessed against your history. To decide if you’re eligible for a loan, the lender will look at your credit score. That includes information about payment history, how you’ve handled other debts, and more. They’ll also look at your business’s past income.They’re less interested in information about projected futures. You may show a potential lender your projections for the rest of the year, but they prefer more concrete evidence.The MCA is leveraged against your future sales. Instead of looking at your credit history and past earnings, the lender is interested in predicting future sales.That’s why this option is known as an advance, not a loan. The lender is advancing anticipated funds to you. They believe you’ll earn those funds in the future, so all that changes is when you get the money.Another difference between a business loan and a merchant cash advance is the repayment terms. A business loan is usually an installment loan. That means you’ll make a set payment at regular intervals. Those can be monthly, weekly, or even biweekly.With a merchant cash advance, the lender takes a percentage of daily credit card sales and applies that to your repayment. If your sales are down one day, you don’t need to worry about “making up” the difference or ensuring you’re meeting a minimum payment amount. Similarly, if your sales are high on another day, you’ll be able to repay more of your advance.There are also differences in how the lender earns on the money they’ve given you. A business loan will have an interest rate. Merchant cash advances usually come with holdback rates and repayment rates. Repayment rates are sometimes called factors.The holdback rate is the daily percentage you pay to the lender on your sales. The repayment or factor rate is the amount typically charged. You may, for example, pay a factor rate of 1.20 or 1.40, which means you’ll pay the lender another 20 to 40 percent of the original advance.

Benefits of Merchant Cash Advances for Business Owners

Now that you understand how the MCA works, you’re probably wondering if there are any benefits to using one. There are quite a few, actually.First, merchant cash advances are often more accessible than business loans. This is especially true for startups or small businesses without lengthy operational histories. You may not be able to prove to a loan lender that you can repay a loan. If you have steady credit card sales or other revenue moving through your business account, then you should be able to qualify for an MCA.Another benefit is the speed with which funds can be delivered. Loan applications could take time to process. That’s because the lender wants to check in on your history and make credit inquiries. By contrast, a merchant cash advance lender is more interested in your future. They want to see you have funds moving through your account regularly, and they can use those numbers to anticipate future sales.This process takes much less time, which leads to faster approvals and deposits. If you need cash in a hurry, an MCA is a much faster option than a business loan.Flexibility is another major benefit of MCAs. Since the lender recoups a percentage from sales, the repayment goes up and down with your sales volume. You don’t need to worry if your sales fall, and you can repay the advance faster if your sales are high.

Drawbacks of MCAs

Like everything, merchant cash advances do have a couple of downsides. One is that MCAs don’t help you build credit.  That’s because they’re not loans. If you’re looking to build a better credit history for your business, you may want to investigate other options.Also, you have to consider that the annualized interest rate can be much higher than a business loan. MCAs could end up costing your business more than a loan might, especially over the long term.

How to Apply for a Merchant Cash Advance

MCAs are good options for business owners who need cash quickly and will pay it back relatively fast. They’re also an option for businesses that don’t have long operational histories or may not otherwise be approved for a loan.If that sounds like you, you might wonder how you can go about getting a merchant cash advance.

  • Your first step should be to research providers in your area. Compare offers. Be sure you understand the holdback rate and factor rates for each offer.
  • Fill out the application form provided by a lender. These are typically one to two pages. You’ll have to provide basic details about your business, such as your business tax ID.
  • You’ll also need to provide documentation. This is usually a combination of bank statements and payment processing data. The lender will likely ask for several months’ worth of information, so they can accurately assess trends and the amount you qualify for.
  • Once you’re approved, you can set up processing as required. Finalize the details on the advance, and make sure you understand the terms. Repayment sometimes starts as early as the next day.

Fund A Better Tomorrow for Your Business

If you’re worried about financing, you have plenty of options out there, and the merchant cash advance is just one of many.If you think a merchant cash advance might be right for you, get in touch with our experts. With their help, you can get access to the funds you need when you need them.

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