Merchant Fund Express
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What documents do alternative business funders ask for?

Usually three to six months of business bank statements, a government ID, a voided check, and basic business details (EIN, address, ownership). Larger requests may add tax returns or month-to-date statements.

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Requirements

The short document list alternative funders actually use

Alternative funders ask for far less paperwork than a bank. Most decisions rest on a handful of documents that you can gather in under an hour.

As fast as
24 hours

Amount to request

$85,000.00

Funding range$25K to $5M

*Sample amounts shown. Your actual offer depends on your business and is reviewed before approval.

Why owners use Merchant Fund Express

Next-day funding

Approved files are usually funded the next business day.

500 credit minimum

You can apply at 500; stronger credit opens more products.

Real underwriters

A human reads the file, not just an algorithm score.

Multiple funders, one application

Your file goes to funders that fit it, so offers can be compared.

Cash flow tight this month?

Fast decisions. Applying takes about 5 minutes.

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How it works

Apply in minutes

A short application. A soft credit pull to start.

Fast decision

We review revenue, time in business and bank activity, not just a credit score.

Review your offer

You see the amount, the schedule and the full repayment amount before you sign.

Get funded

Funding in as little as 24 hours for qualified businesses.

How it actually works

The core of every file is business bank statements, usually the last three to six months as PDFs downloaded straight from your bank. Funders read them for average deposits, daily balances, negative days, returned items and existing payments to other funders. Screenshots or spreadsheets slow things down because they cannot be verified as easily.

Beyond statements, expect a short application, a government ID for each owner with a significant stake, a voided business check or bank letter for funding, and basic business details such as the EIN and start date. Some files add month-to-date activity so the reviewer can see the current month, especially if the last statement is a few weeks old.

Banks and SBA lenders want much more: two or three years of tax returns, profit-and-loss statements, balance sheets, a debt schedule and sometimes a business plan. That is why their timelines run in weeks. If you plan to compare both routes, collect the bank-statement file first so a fast option is ready while the slower paperwork comes together.

A worked example

Complete files get priced faster. Here is the kind of offer a clean file with steady deposits might see. Illustrative only.

Business bank statements3–6 months, PDF from the bank
Month-to-date activityRecent transactions
Government IDOwner(s) with 50%+
Voided business checkFor funding and payments
Existing advance detailsBalance and payment of each
Business detailsEIN, address, start date

Complete files get faster decisions and larger offers.

What each type of funder asks for

Revenue-based or MCA3–6 months of statements, ID, voided check
Business line of creditStatements plus stronger credit history
Term loanStatements, sometimes tax returns
SBA loanTax returns, financials, debt schedule, plan
Equipment financingQuote or invoice for the equipment

Who this fits — and who should wait

Good fit:

Probably not yet:

Related questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do funders insist on PDF bank statements?

PDFs downloaded from the bank are harder to alter and can be verified, so they speed up review. Many funders can also verify through a secure bank connection.

Do alternative funders need my tax returns?

Usually not for revenue-based funding or advances. Some larger requests or term products may ask for them.

What if my most recent statement is not out yet?

Provide month-to-date activity or a transaction export so the reviewer can see the current month.

Do I need a profit-and-loss statement?

Rarely for alternative funding. It helps for bank loans, SBA programs and larger requests.

Should I disclose existing advances even if they are small?

Yes. Funders see them in the statements anyway, and undisclosed positions can stop or reverse an approval.

Payroll $25K
Inventory $60K
Equipment $90K
Expansion $150K

Example uses for illustration only.

How to improve your chances

Before you apply:

  • Download PDFs straight from the bank
  • Gather ID for every major owner
  • Have a voided business check ready
  • List all existing funding payments

Merchant Fund Express vs. a traditional bank

Merchant Fund Express
Traditional bank loans
Decision time
Same day
Weeks
Credit to apply
500 minimum
Usually much stronger credit
Collateral
Not required for most offers
Often required
Documents
Bank statements and ID
Tax returns, financials, plans
Offers
Multiple funders, compare
One lender

See what your business qualifies for

One secure application. A soft credit pull to start. No obligation to accept an offer.

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