The short answer
What stacking looks like in practice
The advance you take first is called the first position. One taken while it is still open is the second position, and so on. Each one pulls its own remittance from the same bank account.
Stacking rarely starts as a plan. An owner takes one advance for a good reason, then a slow month makes the remittance hard to carry, and a second advance looks like the fix. The second payment makes the next slow month harder still.
Worked example: three positions on $60,000 a month
Illustrative example. These figures are illustrations built on stated assumptions, not offers. Real pricing depends on the file MFE reviews.
Assumptions: a grocery store deposits about $60,000 a month over 21 business days. It holds three advances, each with an assumed 3% fee at funding.
| Position | Advance | Net cash | Purchased amount | Daily remittance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First (1.35 factor) | $30,000 | $29,100 | $40,500 | $500 |
| Second (1.40 factor) | $20,000 | $19,400 | $28,000 | $400 |
| Third (1.40 factor) | $15,000 | $14,550 | $21,000 | $350 |
| Total | $65,000 | $63,050 | $89,500 | $1,250 |
The daily total of $1,250 equals $26,250 a month, or 43.75% of deposits. The store received $63,050 in cash and will repay $89,500, a cost of $26,450. With less than 57% of revenue left for every other bill, one bad week can mean a missed remittance.
Check what your business qualifies for
Merchant Fund Express reviews mca stacking explained requests from $5,000 to $5,000,000. Scores from 500 are considered, and same-day decisions are common on complete files.
Check funding options with Merchant Fund ExpressHow funders view positions
When a funder reviews statements, it counts every existing remittance. Each additional position means:
- Less free cash to support a new payment
- A higher chance that one missed payment triggers problems with several funders
- Usually a higher factor rate or smaller offer to reflect the added risk
That is why several existing positions point toward a refinance rather than another advance at MFE.
Why stacking strains cash flow
Remittances do not pause for slow weeks unless you request an adjustment and it is approved. Stacked fixed payments can turn a normal dip into a crisis. Signs that you are already over-stacked:
- Frequent low balance or negative days
- Paying suppliers late to cover remittances
- Considering another advance mainly to make existing payments
Funding brings customers. Is your website ready for them?
Most stacking starts when revenue dips and an advance fills the hole. Steadier inbound customers reduce that pressure, and a website with clear services, current hours and a working contact form is one of the lowest-cost ways to keep leads coming. Cheap Cheap Websites builds professional sites from $399, with Website Care at $30/month.
Safer alternatives
- Consolidate: combine positions into one smaller remittance. See MCA consolidation.
- Refinance one advance: if you have one heavy payment, see MCA refinance.
- Request an adjustment: if sales dropped, ask current funders how their adjustment process works.
- Cut the need: sometimes a supplier payment plan or a short pause on a project solves the gap at no cost.
MFE reviews refinance and consolidation requests on the MFE MCA stacking page. Bring payoff letters and 3 to 4 months of statements.
When a second position may still be reasonable
A second position is not always wrong. If the first advance is small, the combined remittance stays a modest share of deposits, and the new money pays for something with a fast, clear return, it may work. The test is your slowest month: if both remittances fit comfortably there with room for payroll and rent, the risk is lower. If they only fit in your best month, wait.
Related funding guides
Cheap Cheap Websites builds websites. It does not lend or make funding decisions. Funding is offered by our funding partner, Merchant Fund Express, and every request is subject to its review and approval. Figures on this page are illustrations, not offers. Updated October 15, 2026.