Merchant Cash Advance

If customers pay by card, you qualify for instant funding. Get cash now, repay through a small slice of each transaction.

Turn tomorrow’s card payments into today’s capital.

If your business runs on card sales, you don’t need to wait for revenue to roll in. A merchant cash advance gives you a lump sum upfront, repaid automatically through a slice of each day’s takings. There are no fixed terms and no drawn-out applications. You keep trading while repayments flex in real time, rising and falling with your sales. If you take most of your sales by card, our YouLend review explains how this type of funding is priced and who it suits.

It’s built for fast-moving businesses with strong card turnover – restaurants, salons, retailers, ecommerce brands, food trucks, tattoo studios, and more. If you’ve got card machines and cash flow gaps, this is how you close them.

What is a merchant cash advance?

A merchant cash advance is a way to unlock funding based on your future card sales. It is not a traditional loan. There is no fixed repayment schedule and no need to offer security. You receive a lump sum upfront and repay it automatically through a percentage of your daily card takings. If you are comparing revenue-based providers, our Liberis review sets out who it suits and where other lenders may offer better terms.

Because the advance is secured against your future sales – not your credit history – it’s accessible even if you’ve been turned down for traditional business loans. Repayments rise and fall with your income, and there are no fixed bills to manage. When sales dip, so do your repayments. If you are choosing between a fixed term loan and a revenue-based advance, our comparison of Funding Circle vs YouLend shows the difference in practice.

It’s a popular option for businesses with strong card turnover and unpredictable cash flow. That includes hospitality, retail, salons, ecommerce, food and drink, and more.

Learn how a merchant cash advance works

How does a merchant cash advance work?

It’s quick, simple, and designed to move at your pace. Here’s how it works:

You apply by sharing your recent card sales and a few basic business details.
You get approved fast, often within 24 hours.
You receive a lump sum, typically between £5,000 and £300,000, based on your average monthly card takings.
Repayments happen automatically through a small percentage of each card transaction.

There’s no collateral, no fixed repayment schedule, and no lengthy decision-making. The more you sell, the faster you repay. If things slow down, repayments adjust with you.

It’s a straightforward, flexible option trusted by thousands of UK businesses – and one of the fastest ways to improve cash flow without the burden of a traditional loan.

Begin your application

Who is a merchant cash advance for?

Merchant cash advances are ideal for businesses with strong card revenue and cash flow that fluctuates day to day. If your income comes through card terminals or online payments – and it’s not always predictable – this type of funding could be a perfect fit.

They’re widely used by cafés, pubs, and restaurants; retail shops and online stores; salons, barbers, tattoo studios, and other personal care businesses. They also suit ecommerce brands using gateways like Stripe or Square, as well as seasonal traders and event-led businesses where takings vary throughout the year.

It’s also a smart choice for businesses that don’t own property or don’t meet the credit criteria for traditional business loans. If you’ve been turned down by your bank, a merchant cash advance could still be on the table.

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Benefits of a merchant cash advance

This is fast, flexible funding that fits how real businesses trade. There’s no waiting on loan approvals, no collateral tied up, and no pressure to make fixed repayments when sales are down. You get working capital upfront, then repay it through a small slice of each card transaction.

Fast decisions and funding, often within 24 to 48 hours.
Repayments that flex with your sales, so you’re never overstretched.
No fixed monthly bills to manage.
No collateral or business plans required, just card sales history.
May not appear as debt on your balance sheet, depending on the provider.

For many, it’s the fastest way to access funding without the hassle of a traditional loan.

Start your application

How to apply

Applying for a merchant cash advance with Greenwood Capital is straightforward and credit-check free. You’ll provide a few key details, including your recent card sales and business information, and we’ll match you with lenders who offer the right terms for your needs.

We only work with trusted providers and keep the process fast, clear, and focused – from first contact to funding. Most businesses receive a decision within hours and funding within one to two working days.

Our team handles the process on your behalf, keeping it fast, clear, and free from unnecessary paperwork or delays.

Apply in minutes

Nigel

TrustPilot Review

I spoke to a few finance companies but decided to go with Greenwood. Frazer handled my application and was polite, clear, and professional throughout. Everything was sorted within a week and the funds were in the bank.

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Frequently asked questions

Got a question about how merchant cash advances work? Here are a few answers to the things we’re asked most often.

Can a merchant cash advance hurt your credit?

A merchant cash advance won’t affect your credit score when you apply. Most providers use your card sales data to make a decision, not your credit file. In most cases, only a soft check is run, with no impact on your business or personal credit.
What is the difference between a merchant cash advance and a working capital loan?

The key difference is how the funding is repaid. A merchant cash advance gives you an upfront sum that is paid back through a percentage of your daily card sales, with no fixed term or repayment schedule. A working capital loan is a more traditional product, usually repaid in set monthly instalments and often tied to your credit score or secured against assets. One flexes with your income - the other doesn’t.
Is a merchant cash advance secured or unsecured?

A merchant cash advance is typically unsecured. You don’t need to provide property or assets as security. Repayments are based on your future card takings, which makes this type of funding accessible even if you don’t qualify for secured business finance.

Let’s get you funded

Contact our specialists today to turn your card sales into working capital. We’ll find you fast funding with flexible repayments. Get in touch or start your application using the form at the top of the page.