Release capital against your future card takings
Merchant Cash Advance
Turn tomorrow's card sales into working capital today.
Funding advanced against your card takings — repaid automatically as a small percentage of daily settlements. No fixed monthly payments, no collateral, decisions in 24 hours.
Get an advance offerWhy it works
Card-taking businesses have cash coming — just not fast enough
A stock surge before peak season. A slow winter month for a hospitality venue. A one-off equipment repair. Working capital gaps hit hardest for businesses where cash is arriving in daily card sales rather than 30-day invoices.
Repays itself automatically against your card takings
Repayments that flex with your daily taking
Why it works
Repayments that flex with your daily takings
No fixed repayments
Pay more when sales are strong, less when they're not. Repayments automatically flex with performance.
No collateral needed
Advances are made against future card takings — not property, plant or personal guarantees.
Fast decisions
Connect your card processor, verify your sales history, and receive funding in as little as 24-48 hours.
Credit-flexible
Card sales history matters more than credit score. Businesses with imperfect credit history can still qualify.
How it works
Get funded in three simple steps
Get funded in three simple steps
From card processor to working capital
1
Connect POS
Link your merchant acquirer to verify your card sales history and processing volume. No paperwork chase, no long forms.
2
Receive advance
Get up to 150% of your average monthly card turnover as immediate working capital.
3
Auto-repay
The lender collects a fixed percentage of daily settlements until paid off. Typically 6-18 months.
Who it suits
Card-taking SMEs with consistent sales history
Best fit: established trading history (usually 6+ months), monthly card takings above ~£10k, and a genuine need for flexible working capital.
Hospitality
Restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs — businesses with high card volume and seasonal cash flow swings.
Retail
High street shops, boutiques, specialist retail with regular card takings across the trading week.
Beauty & wellness
Salons, spas, gyms, clinics — appointment-driven businesses with predictable daily card flow.
E-commerce & omnichannel
Online retailers and multi-channel businesses processing card payments through Stripe, Adyen or similar.
What it costs
Factor rates from 1.1 to 1.5 — no APR, no compounding
Merchant cash advances are priced as a factor rate, not an interest rate. A £50,000 advance at a 1.2 factor rate means you repay £60,000 in total. That figure is fixed at the point of advance — it does not grow with time, but repayment speed does affect the effective cost.
Faster repayment means better effective cost. That is why factor rate alone is not the whole picture — the advance percentage, hold-back rate and expected repayment window all shape the true economics.
MCA vs other options
When a merchant cash advance is the right tool
MCA vs a business loan
Compare business loansA loan gives you fixed monthly repayments and typically lower total cost. MCA gives you flexibility, speed, and no fixed commitment — better for seasonal or volatile trading.
MCA vs invoice finance
Read moreInvoice finance suits B2B businesses raising invoices. MCA suits B2C businesses taking card payments. Different customer models, different funding tools.
Before you sign
Five questions worth answering first
Before continuing, have a think about these critical questions.
Need help? Talk to us- 1. What is the factor rate — and what does that translate to as an effective cost given your expected repayment speed?
- 2. What percentage of daily card takings will the lender collect?
- 3. Is there flexibility if takings soften mid-term, or is a minimum weekly repayment required?
- 4. Are there arrangement fees, early settlement charges or renewal fees?
- 5. Can you top up or refinance the advance if you need more capital before it fully repays?
Get started
Turn card sales into flexible working capital
Stable helps UK SMEs access merchant cash advance funding from a panel of lenders, compare pricing properly, and secure capital that flexes with the business.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
How do I repay a merchant cash advance?+
Repayment is automatic. The lender collects a fixed percentage of your daily card settlements until the advance and factor are repaid. Nothing to manage manually.
Do I need to provide collateral?+
No. MCAs are advanced against future card takings, not secured against property or personal assets. Personal guarantees may be requested by some lenders.
How much can I borrow?+
Typically up to 150% of your average monthly card turnover. Actual amount depends on trading history, card processor, and lender appetite.
How quickly can I access funding?+
Decisions in as little as 24 hours once your card processor is connected. Funds typically land within 24-48 hours of approval.
What are typical repayment terms?+
Most MCAs repay over 6-18 months, depending on the advance size, hold-back percentage and daily card turnover. Faster sales mean faster repayment.
Does my credit score matter?+
Less than for a traditional loan. Card sales history is the primary factor. Businesses with imperfect credit can still qualify if trading is strong.
Stable is powered by Spark Finance Limited, authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 958123). Stable is an introducing credit broker, not a lender.