# Business funding requirements cheat sheet

URL: https://cheapcheapwebsites.com/cheat-sheets/qualify-and-requirements/
Updated October 16, 2026. Funding offered by Merchant Fund Express (https://merchantfundexpress.com/business-funding-requirements/); Cheap Cheap Websites builds websites and does not lend.

## The short answer
Most business funding is decided by four things: monthly revenue in your business bank account, time in business, credit score and existing debt. At Merchant Fund Express, credit scores from 500 are considered, an MCA commonly starts around $7,500 a month in revenue and 3+ months in business, and loans and lines usually ask for more. Expect to send 3 to 4 months of bank statements, ID, a voided check and a short application.

## At a glance
- Credit: Scores from 500 considered; working capital commonly 600+, lines about 650+
- MCA guideline: Commonly from about $7,500 a month revenue, often 3+ months in business
- Working capital loan: Commonly from about $17,500 a month, often 6+ months, commonly 600+ credit
- Line of credit: Commonly from about $17,500 a month, usually 1+ year, commonly about 650+ credit
- Equipment financing: Often 6+ months; vendor quote or invoice needed
- Invoice factoring: Undisputed invoices to business or government customers, usually net 30 to 90
- Documents: 3 to 4 months of bank statements, ID, voided check, short application
- Speed: Same-day decisions are common on complete files; never promised
- Note: These are planning guidelines, not approval rules

## Before you apply: checklist
- Open or confirm a dedicated business bank account
- Download the last 4 months of statements as PDFs
- Know your average monthly deposits
- Count NSFs and negative days in the last 90 days
- Check your personal credit score
- List any current advances or loans
- Have ID and a voided business check ready
- Pick the funding type that matches the use

## Types of business funding and who each fits
Type Best for Merchant cash advance Fast, flexible money repaid from sales; credit flexible Working capital loan Planned needs with fixed payments Line of credit Repeating, uneven needs; draw only what you use Equipment financing Buying, repairing or replacing equipment Invoice factoring Businesses waiting on B2B or government invoices The best option is the one whose payment matches how your money comes in. For the full requirement list, see business funding requirements .

## What underwriters actually look at
Deposits. Steady monthly revenue counts more than one big month. Balances and NSFs. Frequent overdrafts and returned items weaken a file. Read do NSFs disqualify business funding . Existing positions. Each open advance reduces room for a new payment. Credit. It affects price and product more than the yes or no for an MCA. Industry. Many funders restrict residential remodeling, new residential construction and long-haul trucking.

## Illustrative example: checking a file against the guidelines
Illustrative example Item Figure Assumed deposits, 4 months $38,000, $45,000, $40,000, $45,000 Average monthly revenue ($168,000 / 4) $42,000 Time in business 2 years Credit score 620 MCA guideline range (0.5x to 1.5x) $21,000 to $63,000 Working capital guideline ($17,500, 6+ months, 600+) Fits Line of credit guideline (about 650+ credit) Credit below the common guideline These figures are illustrations, not offers. Real pricing, amounts and terms depend on the full file review.

## How to get a business loan: first-time steps
Decide what the money is for and how much you truly need. Match the use to a product type from the table above. Gather statements, ID and a voided check. Fill out one short application and answer follow-up questions quickly. Read the offer: total payback, term, payment frequency, fees. Accept only what the business can repay from normal cash flow.

## Common mistakes
Applying with personal bank statements when business deposits exist. Leaving out a second operating account. Not mentioning an open advance. Applying right after a string of NSFs instead of waiting a few clean weeks. Choosing a product by speed alone.

## How Merchant Fund Express handles this
The Merchant Fund Express business funding requirements page lists the published planning guidelines for each product. Sole proprietors and LLCs alike can apply, credit from 500 is considered, and larger requests can need financials or tax returns. Ready to go? apply with Merchant Fund Express . Help is available in English and Spanish.

## Frequently asked questions
**What credit score do I need for business funding?** Merchant Fund Express considers scores from 500. A merchant cash advance is the most credit-flexible option. Working capital loans commonly look for 600+ and lines of credit about 650+. Stronger credit usually means better offers.

**How much revenue do I need?** It depends on the product. An MCA commonly starts around $7,500 a month. Working capital loans and lines of credit commonly start around $17,500 a month. These are planning guidelines, not approval rules.

**Do I need collateral?** Many revenue-based products do not ask for specific collateral, while equipment financing is tied to the equipment itself. Each offer spells out its own terms, so read them before you sign.

**What is a minimum average bank balance?** Some funders look at your typical daily balance as a sign of cushion. Very low or negative balances can weaken a file even when revenue is good. Keeping a steady balance for a few weeks before applying helps.

**Can a sole proprietor qualify?** Yes, sole proprietors can apply. What matters is a business bank account with steady deposits, time in business and the other items on the checklist.

Apply with Merchant Fund Express: https://merchantfundexpress.com/current-application.html?utm_source=cheat-sheet&utm_campaign=qualify-and-requirements