Situation

Applying for funding in the off-season: how a quiet month is read.

A quiet month is expected for a seasonal business; the full year is what is read.

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Can a seasonal business apply for funding in its off-season?

Short answer: Yes. A quiet month is expected for a seasonal business, and the full year is what is read. Seasonal businesses often need money just before the season, when recent statements show the slowest months. Funders reading twelve months see the pattern and size the request against the whole year.

Key facts

Send twelve months, including last year's peak
Name the purpose and season clearly
A revenue-share structure eases off-season payments
Apply before the season, not during the dip

How this is read

A quiet month is expected for a seasonal business; the full year is what is read.

Seasonal businesses often need money just before the season, when recent statements show the slowest months. Funders reading twelve months see the pattern and size the request against the whole year, not only the last quarter.

What helps

Statements covering last year's peak
A specific use tied to the coming season
Bookings or contracts for the season
A modest request

What hurts

Only four months of off-season statements
A peak that was weaker than the year before
Existing obligations taking the off-season cushion

A sensible plan

Send twelve months of statements, name the coming season's work and size the request so most repayment falls in the busy months.

Illustrative arithmetic

A landscaping company depositing about $40,000 a month asks for $15,000 for spring equipment. At a 1.24 factor the payback is $18,600, a cost of $3,600. Over roughly 6 months that is about $148 per business day, or close to 8% of monthly deposits.

Total payback: $18,600.
Cost: $3,600.
Payment: about $148 per business day, close to 8% of monthly deposits.

Every figure on this page is illustrative arithmetic in Canadian dollars. It is not an offer, a quote or a promise of approval.

Typical starting points

Monthly revenueTypically from around $20,000 a month in deposits for Canadian files. The exact line varies by funder and by file.

Time in businessTypically about 12 months. Newer businesses can be reviewed, but the options narrow.

Account healthLimited low-balance or negative days. Funders read the last few months of bank statements for this.

CreditScores from 500 are considered. A score of 600 or higher opens more options and better offers.

DocumentsA signed application and recent business bank statements, typically the last four months.

Existing advancesFiles with an existing advance can be reviewed, including second position.

One more thing that helps

A one-page note with last year's month-by-month revenue, even rounded, lets a reviewer see the season in seconds. Add confirmed spring contracts if you have them.

What to prepare

Last year's month-by-month revenue
Confirmed bookings or contracts for the season
The specific use and its timing

Off-season applications are common precisely because the season is when the money is needed; reviewers expect them.

Talk it through

Merchant Fund Express reviews Canadian businesses in every province and territory. If you would like a specific answer for your business rather than general guidance, send a signed application and your last four months of business bank statements, or call (305) 384-8391 first to ask a question.

Sources and review

Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: Credit reports and scores

Reviewed by the Merchant Fund Express team on October 12, 2026. Official pages checked as of that date.

Common questions

Should I wait until the season starts?

Not necessarily. Applying before the season with full-year statements is common.

Will a quiet month hurt?

No, if it matches last year's pattern.

What structure fits?

A share-of-revenue payment that eases in quiet months.