Working Capital Guides

Short-term capital for payroll, inventory, a slow quarter or growth: term loans, lines and bank-statement programs.

Working capital is the money that carries a business between paying for something and getting paid for it: payroll before receivables clear, inventory before the season, a slow quarter or a contract that starts before its first invoice. The capital that funds it comes in several forms, and they are not interchangeable. A line of credit suits recurring gaps, a short term loan suits a one-time need, factoring suits receivables from creditworthy customers, and revenue-based capital suits a business with strong deposits and little else to pledge.

Each product is underwritten on a different part of the business and priced for a different risk, so the cheapest option is usually the one matched to the cause of the gap. These guides explain the options, what each costs relative to the others, what lenders review, and the red flags that turn short-term capital into a long-term problem.

Guides

Frequently asked questions

What is the fastest working capital for a small business?

Bank-statement and revenue-based programs commonly fund fastest because they underwrite deposits rather than tax returns and collateral. Speed costs money, though. A line of credit or a short term loan arranged before the need usually costs less, so the best time to set up working capital is before the business is short of it.

Can I get working capital without collateral?

Often, yes. Unsecured term loans, lines of credit and revenue-based programs commonly rely on cash flow, deposits and the owner's credit, with a personal guaranty and a general business lien rather than specific collateral. Availability and cost depend on time in business, revenue consistency and existing debt.

How much working capital can a business qualify for?

Lenders commonly size working capital to monthly revenue and to the payment the business can carry in its slowest month, after existing obligations. Strong, steady deposits, low existing debt and good owner credit raise the amount. A request sized to a specific need is easier to approve than a round number.

How MercFinancial places it

Business Funding — Eight programs, one file, 160+ lenders.