Advertiser Disclosure

knowyourbusiness.co.uk is an independent comparison and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions and our website is a free service to our users.

Whilst we are independent, we receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services on our website. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. Partner arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, but it doesn’t influence our assessment of those products.

knowyourbusiness.co.uk brings you this service without advice or recommendation. Choose products based on your businesses individual requirements. Whilst we aim to bring you a broad range of products, which we continually add more to, other options will be available that are not included on our website.

We regularly check our website to ensure you are viewing up-to-date product information. Whilst we make every effort to ensure that our information is accurate, it is not guaranteed. Always check product details with the brand or service that you’re interested in before making a decision.

Merchant Cash Advance

We have partnered with YouLend to bring you simple, flexible funding to use for any business purpose. Designed as an alternative to traditional bank loans, you can apply for funding of up to £2million* in just a few clicks.

You will be redirected to YouLend’s official website

YouLend Logo

How it works

We have partnered with YouLend who have been trusted by over 300k*+ merchants of all sizes to grow their business with cash advances up to £2 million*.

1

Receive funds quickly

Offers and funding can be in less than 24 hours with payment directly in to your bank.

2

Repay as you earn

Repay via a fixed % of daily sales, and one flat fee agreed upfront.

3

Flexible top ups

One you’ve been approved you can receive funding top ups on the same day

Why YouLend?

Whether its to invest in advertising, boost cash flow, renovating or staff hire, YouLend delivers innovative and flexible funding solutions and have been trusted by over 300,000* merchants.

YouLend will usually provide you with a quote on the same day, and you can use that funding for any business purpose. You are not charged interest, the repayment works on a pre-agreed fixed percentage of sales aligning your repayments with your income.

One you’ve been funded by YouLend, you can apply for top ups which, once approved, are often received the same day and can make repayments at any time.

A General Guide to Merchant Cash Advances

A merchant cash advance (MCA) can be a valuable funding option for small businesses and SMEs that rely on card payments. Here are some of the key features you will often see with MCAs and how comparing them with other loan options can help you save money.

Flexible Funding Based on Card Sales: Provides an upfront lump sum based on a business’s historical credit/debit card sales.

Repayment Through Daily Card Sales: A fixed percentage of daily card sales is automatically repaid to the lender. This offers repayment flexibility, especially for businesses with fluctuating revenue.

Fast Approval and Funding: Applications and funding are usually processed quickly with this type of funding in comparison to other types of business lending.

No Fixed Interest Rate or Terms: Instead of interest, lenders charge a fixed factor rate.

Unsecured Financing: Your business or personal assets are not used as security against the lending.

Whether its stocking up to meet demand , investing in new projects, or simply boosting your cash flow, you can now access fast and flexible funding to help your business grow.

Revenue Based Repayments

A fixed percentage of your daily sales (typically 5 – 20%) will go towards repaying the finance automatically.

Well-Suited Businesses:

  • Retail and Hospitality Businesses:

Overview: Ideal for restaurants, cafes, shops, and other businesses with consistent card transactions.

Reason: Repayments are directly linked to card sales, making MCAs suitable for these sectors.

  • Seasonal Businesses:

Overview: Useful for businesses with seasonal fluctuations, like tourism-related companies.

Reason: Payments reduce during low seasons when sales drop.

  • Growing Businesses Needing Quick Cash:

Overview: Businesses expanding rapidly or needing to cover short-term expenses.

Reason: Fast approval and flexible repayment.

    *figures from Youlend website January 2026

    Merchant Cash Advance FAQs

    Is a Merchant Cash Advance a loan?

    A Merchant Cash Advance is typically not classified as a traditional loan, instead it’s structured as the purchase of a percentage of your business’s future debit and credit card sales. This means it doesn’t have an interest rate or a fixed repayment amount or term, in the same way a conventional loan does.

    How are repayments made with a Merchant Cash Advance?

    Repayments are made automatically as a small, pre-agreed percentage of your daily credit and debit card sales. This means that when your business has higher card sales, more is repaid and when sales are slower, less is repaid, aligning repayments with your business’s actual cash flow.

    Do I need good credit to get a Merchant Cash Advance?

    While credit checks are part of the process, MCA providers often place a greater emphasis on your business’s consistent card sales history rather than solely on a perfect credit score. This can make MCAs accessible to businesses that might not qualify for traditional bank or standard business loans due to a less than ideal credit rating or a short trading history.

    Can I use a Merchant Cash Advance if my business mostly takes cash payments?

    No, a Merchant Cash Advance is specifically designed for businesses that accept debit and credit card payments. The repayment mechanism relies entirely on a percentage of these card transactions, so it would not be suitable for a business that primarily deals in cash.

    Is there any benefit to repaying a Merchant Cash Advance early?

    Typically, no. Unlike traditional loans where early repayment can save on interest, a Merchant Cash Advance usually has a fixed cost determined by a “factor rate” at the outset. This means the total amount to be repaid remains the same regardless of how quickly you repay it through your card sales.