The short answer: most MCAs fund within 24 to 48 hours from approval. Some same-day funding is possible for returning clients or strong applications.
Here’s the full timeline.
The MCA Timeline
Day 1: Application (15-30 minutes)
You submit a one-page application with basic business and owner information. No business plan, no tax returns, no projections. The lender needs:
- Business name, address, EIN
- Owner name, SSN, date of birth
- Monthly revenue and time in business
- 4 months of bank statements (PDF)
With PFN, you fill out one application and our underwriting team reviews it and gets you an answer fast.
Day 1: Underwriting (2-4 hours)
The lender reviews your bank statements, checks your credit, and evaluates your revenue pattern. They’re looking at:
- Average monthly deposits
- Daily ending balances
- Existing MCA positions (if any)
- NSF/overdraft frequency
- Revenue consistency
This is where MCAs differ from bank loans. There’s no committee, no weeks of back-and-forth. One underwriter reviews your file and makes a decision, usually the same day.
Day 1-2: Offer and Contract
If approved, you receive a funding offer with:
- Advance amount
- Factor rate
- Total payback amount
- Daily or weekly payment amount
- Term length
You review and sign the contract electronically. No in-person meetings required.
Day 2-3: Funding
After signing, the lender initiates the wire or ACH transfer. Most businesses see funds in their account within 24 hours of signing. Some lenders offer same-day funding if you sign before noon.
What Slows It Down
- Missing bank statements: If you can’t produce 4 months of recent statements quickly, everything stops.
- Stacked positions: If you already have multiple active MCAs, the lender needs to verify balances and may require a payoff letter from existing funders.
- Verification issues: If the information on your application doesn’t match your bank statements or public records, the lender will ask for clarification.
- Landlord or lease verification: Some lenders verify your business location, which can add a day.
What Speeds It Up
- Have bank statements ready: Download your last 4 months as PDFs before you apply.
- Apply in the morning: Lenders who receive applications before noon can often issue offers the same day.
- Work with a funding company: PFN reviews your application and gets you an answer fast.
- Clean bank statements: No NSFs, consistent deposits, and positive daily balances make underwriting faster.
MCA vs Other Products: Speed Comparison
| Product | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Merchant Cash Advance | 1-3 days |
| Short-term Working Capital | 2-5 days |
| Equipment Financing | 3-7 days |
| Line of Credit | 5-14 days |
| SBA Loan | 30-90 days |
| Bank Term Loan | 30-60 days |
MCAs are the fastest business funding product available. If you need capital this week, not this quarter, an MCA is usually the answer.