The short answer
At a glance
| Purpose | Cover payroll, rent, inventory or repairs until longer-term money arrives |
|---|---|
| Typical amounts at MFE | $5,000 to $5,000,000; varies with revenue and file |
| Revenue guideline | MCA commonly from about $7,500 a month; working capital commonly from about $17,500 |
| Time in business | MCA often 3+ months; working capital often 6+ months |
| Credit | Scores from 500 considered; stronger credit usually means better offers |
| Speed | Same-day decisions common on complete files; funding often next business day, never promised |
| Cost structure | Usually a factor rate or fixed payback; higher than SBA pricing |
| Documents | 3 to 4 months of bank statements, ID, voided check, short application |
| Avoid if | The SBA lender says new debt would end the application |
Before you apply: checklist
- Write down the exact gap: monthly shortfall times months until expected SBA closing
- Ask your SBA lender, in writing, how a bridge would affect the file
- Ask whether the SBA loan can pay off the bridge at closing
- Request the smallest amount that covers the gap plus a small cushion
- Compare total payback, not just the daily or weekly payment
- Check that the payment fits even if the SBA loan is delayed another month
- Have 3 to 4 months of business bank statements ready
- Avoid stacking a second short-term position on top of the first
Check what your business qualifies for
Merchant Fund Express reviews bridge funding while you wait for an sba loan 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 ExpressWhen a bridge makes sense
A bridge works when there is a clear exit: an SBA loan in underwriting, a large receivable due, or a seasonal peak that reliably arrives. It does not work as a plan to keep a business afloat with no end date.
If you are comparing speed options, the same-day business funding guide explains what makes a file move fast, and the working capital loans guide covers longer terms.
Denied for an SBA loan, or bad credit
SBA lenders look closely at credit, collateral, tax returns and cash flow. A decline for one of those does not mean every door is closed.
- Weak credit: some funders consider scores from 500 and focus on consistent deposits and few overdrafts.
- Short history or thin tax returns: revenue-based options rely on recent bank activity rather than years of returns.
- No real estate or equipment to pledge: many fast options do not take specific collateral, though personal guarantees are common.
Ask the SBA lender for the reason for the decline. Fixing that reason can make a reapplication later realistic.
Illustrative example: sizing a bridge
| Assumption | Figure |
|---|---|
| Monthly bank deposits | $60,000 |
| Monthly shortfall while waiting | $9,000 |
| Expected wait | 2 months |
| Gap (9,000 x 2) | $18,000 |
| Bridge requested with $2,000 cushion | $20,000 |
| Assumed factor rate | 1.22 |
| Total payback (20,000 x 1.22) | $24,400 |
| Assumed term | 20 weeks |
| Weekly payment (24,400 / 20) | $1,220 |
| Weekly payment as share of weekly deposits (1,220 / about 13,846) | About 8.8% |
A payment under roughly a tenth of deposits leaves room if the SBA closing slips. A bigger bridge would squeeze that room.
These figures are illustrations, not offers. Real terms depend on the full file and are set by the funder at review.
Funding brings customers. Is your website ready for them?
Funding usually pays for growth: more stock, staff, equipment or marketing. Make sure the customers that growth brings find a website that explains what you do and makes it easy to call, book or buy. Cheap Cheap Websites builds professional sites from $399, with Website Care at $30/month.
Red flags
- An offer that is much larger than the gap you described.
- Pressure to sign the same day without a written payback amount.
- Anyone claiming the SBA loan is a sure thing or that approval is promised.
- A second advance offered before the first has been paid down.
- Hiding the bridge from your SBA lender. It will show in bank statements.
How Merchant Fund Express handles this
Merchant Fund Express does not make SBA loans. It reviews bridge funding with Merchant Fund Express as an alternative or a gap filler. If you already have an advance, MFE can review a refinance or buyout instead of adding another position.
Bring 3 to 4 months of business bank statements, ID and a voided check. Service is available in English and Spanish. To start, apply with Merchant Fund Express.
Related
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 16, 2026.