Merchant cash advance Ireland: funding from card sales

The provider reviews several months of your card sales and offers a lump sum. Once you sign, a fixed percentage of each day’s card takings is collected, through your card terminal provider or by direct debit, until the agreed total is repaid. Busy weeks repay more and quiet weeks less, so there is no fixed monthly instalment.

It depends on the provider. Some are structured as a purchase of your future card sales for a fixed fee rather than a loan, while others, such as Linked Finance’s merchant cash advance, are loans with interest repaid from card sales. The structure affects which rules apply, so read the agreement and take advice if unsure.

It varies by provider and by how fast you repay. Ask for the total amount repayable in euro, not just a factor rate or percentage. Our merchant cash advance guide explains factor rates and why a quick repayment can mean a high annual cost, and our calculator works out the total for your own card sales.

Several specialist non-bank lenders offer card-sales funding to Irish companies. Linked Finance, one of our panel lenders, offers it from €10,000 to €150,000, and other providers work through card terminal companies. Our panel includes merchant cash advance providers, so we can tell you which may consider your company, but approval is never guaranteed.

Yes, hospitality is one of the main users, because most takings come through card terminals and trade is seasonal. Providers look at several months of card statements and want steady takings. A restaurant cash advance is often used for refurbishment, equipment or stock before a busy season. Leave room for quiet months, since a share of every sale goes to repayment.

Usually three to six months of card statements, business bank statements, director ID and proof of address, and details of your card terminal provider. Lenders also check trading history and turnover: Linked Finance, for example, asks for annual turnover above €100,000. Sending everything together usually speeds up a decision.

Often, yes. Many providers ask a director to guarantee the company’s obligations, for example that it keeps taking card payments through the agreed terminal and does not divert sales. Read exactly what the guarantee covers, as it may differ from a loan guarantee, and take legal advice.

Possibly. Providers focus mainly on recent card sales, but they still check trading history, bank statements and, in many cases, the Central Credit Register, which gives no score, so the lender reads the report itself. Recent arrears, returned payments or Revenue debts make approval less likely and can raise the cost.

Some providers say they can decide within about 24 hours of receiving card statements and documents, with funds following once the agreement is signed. Linked Finance, for example, says decisions typically come within one working day. This is not guaranteed, and the first application usually takes longest.

You can usually settle the remaining balance, but where the fee is fixed, early settlement often saves little unless the provider agrees a discount. Loan-based advances may cost less if repaid early. Ask for the early-settlement terms before you sign, and compare with a business loan using our MCA vs business loan guide.