Glossary

Merchant cash advance

A merchant cash advance hands you a lump sum repaid as a slice of each day's card takings — repayment flexes with sales, but the cost is a factor rate, not an interest rate.

2 min read

Repaid from cards% of daily takings
Factor rateNot APR

Definition

A merchant cash advance is an advance against future card sales: the business receives a lump sum and repays it as a fixed percentage of daily card takings, with the cost expressed as a factor rate rather than interest.

In plain terms

You get cash now and pay it back automatically as customers pay by card — more on busy days, less on quiet ones. But the effective cost can be steep.

Why it matters for your company

It suits card-heavy trades wanting flexible repayment, but a straightforward term loan is often cheaper and clearer. Compare with the true cost calculator.

Funding for UK limited companies

Credicorp lends to your company, not to you personally — short-term working capital with no personal guarantee. See what your business could access.