Merchant Cash Advances: What is it & How Does it Work? Merchant cash advances have become a popular financing option for small businesses in recent years. But what is a merchant cash advance, and how does it work? A merchant cash advance (MCA) is a type of funding that allows businesses to borrow money based on their future sales. The lender provides the funds upfront, and the business repays the loan with a portion of their future credit card sales. MCA loans are often used by businesses that have trouble qualifying for traditional bank loans. That's because the approval process for an MCA is typically much easier and quicker than for a bank loan. And, unlike with a bank loan, there's no set repayment schedule with an MCA. Instead, the business makes daily or weekly payments to the lender, until the loan is repaid in full. If you're thinking about taking out a merchant cash advance, it's important to understand how they work and what the potential drawbacks are. Read on to learn more.