Why a Merchant Cash Advance is Better than a Business Loan

Expanding your business is an exciting opportunity, but it can also present serious challenges. One of the most common is actually cash flow issues. How? If the business is growing, shouldn’t you have more money flowing in? Business may have increased, but you might need to pump money into equipment or hiring new staff so you can keep up with demand. Until you can get that new computer system or hire that extra person, your customers are experiencing a bumpy sort of service. Your income could be uneven as a result, as you might not have the products they want when they want them. You might have trouble getting invoices out on time. Does this sound like your business? A merchant cash advance could be just what the doctor ordered. The benefits of an MCA could help you manage the cash flow issues presented by an expanding business. Here’s how.

Merchant Cash Advances Help You Get the Cash You Need

A merchant cash advance, or MCA, gives you access to funding based on your future credit card or debit card sales. The lender will look at your past sales, then extend you an advance as a percent of estimated future sales. That means the more sales you’re likely to make, the bigger the advance can be. In turn, you can invest it into whatever you need it for. That’s because the MCA doesn’t have to be directed towards certain goals, unlike an equipment loan or a payroll loan. You can use the funds for what you need, when you need it.

MCA Repayment Terms Are More Flexible

Another bonus of a merchant cash advance for a growing business is that the repayment terms are more flexible. With a traditional loan, you’ll have a set payment that you have to make every month. With a growing business, income can be unpredictable. That, in turn, could lead to situations where you’re crunched for cash. You may feel squeezed needing to make your monthly loan payments. That could lead to bigger problems, such as a poor credit score or even defaulting on a loan. Since an MCA is made against your future sales, you pay it back as you make those sales. If your sales dip lower than expected, then your payment falls too. If you make more, then you can pay your loan back faster.

It’s Faster to Get a Merchant Cash Advance

If you find yourself in a pinch over payroll or other financial obligations, then you might wonder what choices you have to get the funding you need. A merchant cash advance is much faster than getting a traditional loan. That makes it the perfect stop-gap measure for a growing business. Whether an unexpected expense crops up or sales grew slower than you’d hoped, an MCA can help you make up the difference.

Need Some Cash?

If your growing business needs a quick influx of cash right away, then it’s time to get in touch with a merchant cash advance provider. With their help, you can keep your business growing the right way.

2M7 Financial Solutions is honoured to be featured in this month’s CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, with an interview highlighting small business financing advice from 2M7’s CEO, Avi Bernstein. From his insights on the state of the lending landscape, to his expertise on the challenges facing small businesses today – Avi provides insider advice on alternative lending options that can help small businesses secure the funding they need to operate and grow their business.

In the interview, CEO Avi Bernstein discusses the many factors that traditional lenders use to evaluate whether a business qualifies for a loan, and why this digital credit score algorithm method of evaluating businesses, is increasingly resulting in small businesses being denied funding from lenders such as banks and credit unions.“

Rapid shifts in new technologies, increased competition, and the state of the economy have led to an increased need for financing, but it is becoming increasingly more difficult from small businesses to access funding from traditional lenders,” said Avi, when asked about the challenges that small businesses face when it comes to securing funding. “Most small businesses need loans to bridge the gaps during uncertain times such as these, but small business owners continuously struggle to secure working capital.”

For over a decade, 2M7 has been dedicated to leveraging its expertise in the Canadian lending landscape to help as many small businesses as possible to get access to the working capital they need. This dedication has led to the development of a proprietary algorithm which uses a unique approach to evaluate risk and determine credit worthiness – enabling 2M7 to fund businesses that might not otherwise qualify for a traditional loan.

Furthermore, the 2M7 team strives to provide an alternative lending solution that better meets the needs of small Canadian businesses than traditional loans. With minimal requirements and simple terms, 2M7 has designed a straight-forward borrowing option that essentially provides small business owners with a cash advance that is deposited directly into their bank account within 24-48 hours, to use immediately within their business as they see fit.2M7 Financial Solutions continues to be at the forefront of the innovative technologies and processes that are transforming the Canadian financial industry in order to help grow the small businesses that are the backbone of our economy. As the industry continues to evolve, the 2M7 team is committed to continuously improving its flexible funding solutions and working closely with small business owners to better meet their changing needs.

To read the full interview, click here to open page 37 of this month’s digital edition of CanadianSME Small Business Magazine.

There is a wide array of services available to businesses in Canada seeking to bolster their cash liquidity. This article will explore some of the most popular options, as well as their best use cases. These financial solutions typically include a combination of bank loans, CEBA loans, government business grants, factoring, cash advances, payday loans, and microloans.

Businesses can utilize these financial options to optimize growth, gain liquidity, bridge emergency situations, or capitalize on opportunities.

Let's delve into our options:

1. Traditional bank loans

This is the most conventional form of financing that small businesses can utilize to obtain Typically, these loans are secured by collateral, and may offer lower interest rates, making them an appealing choice for businesses with strong credit. However, small and medium-sized businesses adhering to conservatism and GAAP principles might have lower perceived financial strength, which can make obtaining traditional financing more challenging, especially if the bank relies on financial statements as part of its due diligence process. This can be particularly problematic for new startups and businesses without a significant financial track record. Furthermore, liquidity provided might be limited if a business is relatively new or experiencing volatility, even with collateral in place.

2. CEBA loans

The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans are interest-free loans of up to $60,000 designed for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These loans are 100% backed by the government and do not require any collateral. Businesses can use these loans to cover operating expenses such as payroll and rent, as well as for purchasing equipment or expanding their operations. The CEBA loans offer flexibility and accessibility with a few caveats. Firstly, the loan forgiveness repayment date has been extended to December 31, 2023, for CEBA loan holders in good standing. This means that loan holders may have to start repaying their CEBA loans as early as 2024. Secondly, eligibility is only applicable to businesses that have had an active business account with their financial institution as of March 1, 2020, and can demonstrate a decline in revenue due to the pandemic.

3. Factoring

Factoring enables businesses to sell their accounts receivable (invoices) to a third-party (a factoring company) at a discount. The factoring company then acts as the agent to collect payments from the invoice customer, providing the business with liquidity (cash) based on a certain percentage of the invoice amount. Factoring can significantly improve cash flow for small and medium-sized businesses by offering liquidity and quick access to funds. It is also helpful that the factoring company will be the one taking care of ensuring invoices are paid, freeing up valuable resources for small businesses.

4. Government business grants

The Canadian government provides an array of business grants designed to help small businesses flourish and These grantstypically target specific industries or business activities, such as clean technology, innovation, workforce development, and international trade, among others. A considerable number of grants currently emphasize research, development, and exporting. The application process for these grants can be intricate, requiring well-prepared grant proposals that effectively communicate the business's objectives, anticipated outcomes, and potential impact. This process is often competitive, as numerous businesses vie for the limited funding available. Newer businesses or those without prior grant writing experience may find this process daunting, and may benefit from seeking professional grant writing assistance or collaborating with experienced partners in their industry. Despite the challenges, securing a government grant can be a game-changer for small businesses, providing essential funding without the burden of repayment, and fostering growth, innovation, and competitiveness in the marketplace.

5. Payday loans or Microloans

Payday loans and microloans are small, short-term loans that are typically utilized to address unexpected expenses or navigate temporary cash flow gaps. While these loans may not be suitable for long-term financing needs due to their relatively higher interest rates and fees, they play a vital role in providing financial support during emergencies. By offering quick access to funds, payday loans and microloans help businesses remain afloat and operational during challenging times, allowing them to successfully weather temporary cash flow issues that are anticipated to improve in the near future. This targeted financial assistance can be a lifeline for businesses, enabling them to maintain stability and continue serving their customers as they work towards recovery and growth.

6. Cash Advance

A cash advance, particularly in the form of a Merchant Cash Advance (MCA), is an innovative financing solution that provides businesses with a lump sum of cash in exchange for a percentage of their future sales (typically credit card sales). Cash advances and MCAs can be exceptional financing options for businesses that need funds swiftly or require increased liquidity to seize opportunities that demand prompt. One of the key advantages of this financing option is its speed and flexibility. Cash advances can be processed more quickly than traditional loans, often within a matter of days, allowing businesses to address their financial needs without delay. Additionally, repayment terms are tailored to the business's sales volume, making it a more manageable solution for businesses with fluctuating revenues. MCAs are particularly valuable for new businesses and small enterprises that may face challenges in obtaining traditional bank loans due to a lack of financial history, inadequate financial book strength, or a dearth of collateral. By offering an alternative financing avenue, cash advances empower these businesses to overcome financial barriers and pursue their growth objectives. Ultimately, the various financing options available to Canadian businesses each have their own strengths and specific use cases. Traditional bank loans can be attractive for businesses with strong credit, while CEBA loans offer interest-free financing for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Factoring provides immediate liquidity to businesses with outstanding invoices, and government grants can support targeted industries and activities. Payday loans or microloans can assist in managing short-term cash flow gaps. And cash advances offer rapid access to funds for businesses lacking financial history or collateral. The choice of financing option will depend on the unique needs and circumstances of each business. By understanding the advantages and limitations of each option, businesses can make informed decisions about the most suitable financing solution to support their growth, liquidity, and success.