Merchant Fund Express
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What hidden costs come with business financing?

Origination or underwriting fees deducted upfront, ACH or wire fees, no early-payoff discount, and daily payments that cause overdrafts. Ask for net funding and total payback in writing.

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Cost and offers

The costs that hide outside the headline rate

The rate or factor on an offer is only part of what you pay. Origination fees, deductions from the funded amount, payment frequency, renewal practices and default fees can all change the true cost, sometimes substantially.

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

Same-day decisions

A person reviews your revenue, time in business and bank activity, often within hours.

Real underwriters

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

Clear numbers

Net cash, total payback and payment shown before you sign.

500 credit minimum

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

Ready to see your numbers?

Fast decisions. Applying takes about 5 minutes.

Apply Now

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

Start with fees deducted at funding. Many products charge an origination, underwriting or administrative fee that is subtracted from the amount you receive. On a $50,000 approval with a 3% fee, you receive $48,500 but repay based on $50,000. Always compare offers on net cash received, not the approved amount, because that is the money you can actually use.

Next is payment frequency. A daily debit removes cash from your account every business day, which means you have less working capital on hand throughout the term than with a weekly or monthly payment of the same total. That has a real cost: you may need to borrow elsewhere or delay purchases. The effective cost of a short-term product is also higher when it is repaid quickly, because the fixed total is spread over less time.

Renewals can hide cost too. When a balance is renewed before it is paid off, the remaining balance is usually paid from the new advance, and you receive only the difference as new cash. If this happens repeatedly, you can end up paying cost on money you have already received. Calculate the net new cash on every renewal offer.

Finally, read the fees that only appear when things go wrong: returned payment (NSF) fees, default fees, collection costs and legal fees. Ask whether there are prepayment penalties or, conversely, early-payoff discounts at 30, 60 or 90 days, as some MFE agreements offer. A legitimate funder will explain all of these in writing. Several states now require standardized commercial financing disclosures that put many of these numbers on one page.

A worked example

Here is an offer broken down to show fees and net cash. Illustrative numbers.

Amount funded$75,000
Factor rate1.25
Total payback (amount × factor)$93,750
Fees deducted at funding (5%)$3,750
Net cash you receive$71,250
Weekly payment over 52 weeks$1,803
Same total as daily debits (~260 business days)$361/day

Illustrative numbers only. Your offer depends on your file; always compare net cash and total payback in writing.

Hidden costs to check

Origination or admin feesReduce net cash received
Daily vs. weekly paymentsLess working capital on hand
Renewal payoffsNew cash smaller than new balance
NSF and default feesApply when payments fail
Prepayment termsPenalty or discount for early payoff

Who this fits — and who should wait

Good fit:

Probably not yet:

Related questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest hidden cost in business financing?

Often fees deducted at funding, which reduce net cash while repayment is based on the full amount.

Does payment frequency affect cost?

Yes, frequent payments reduce working capital and raise the effective cost when repaid fast.

How do renewals hide cost?

The old balance is paid from the new advance, so new cash is less than the new obligation.

What are NSF fees?

Fees charged when a scheduled payment is returned for insufficient funds.

Can early payoff save money?

Some agreements offer discounts at 30, 60 or 90 days; others do not reduce the total.

Do states require cost disclosures?

Several, including California and New York, require standardized disclosures for many commercial financing offers.

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

Example uses for illustration only.

How to improve your chances

Before you apply:

  • Compare net cash, not approved amount
  • Weigh payment frequency
  • Calculate net new cash on renewals
  • Read fees for returned payments and default

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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