Merchant Cash Advance
- Quick and simple onboarding process.
- Decisions within as little as 24 hours.
- Immediate access to funds.
- High acceptance rate even for businesses with low credit scores.
- New start up friendly.
- Flexible borrowing from £1000 - £1,000,000 with generous repayment terms.
How a Merchant Cash Advance Works
Merchant cash advances are a fast, flexible way for UK businesses to access unsecured funding. Unlike traditional bank loans, there’s no need for fixed collateral or rigid repayment schedules. Instead, repayments are made automatically through a percentage of your daily card sales, adjusting with your business performance.
Repayments on a merchant cash advance are taken automatically as a small percentage of your daily card transactions, whether through a terminal or online. One of the key benefits is flexibility — during slower trading weeks, you’ll repay less, without being penalised. As long as you meet the monthly minimum, repayments adjust to your sales volume. This makes cash advances a stress-free way to manage borrowing while allowing your business to grow, without risking personal or business assets.
Example MCA
- Example Merchant Cash Advance (MCA)
✅ Business approved for a £25,000 merchant cash advance.
✅ Averaged £2,000 per month in card turnover over the past 3 months.
✅ Repayment agreement term: 24 months.
✅ 10% of each transaction deducted at source. (£200 per £2,000 turnover)
✅ Due to strong performance, the business repaid early in just 18 months.
✅ Result: faster growth, no early repayment penalty, and full peace of mind.
High Risk Business Accounts
High-Risk Business Bank Accounts – Specialist UK Solutions
The good news for business owners in high-risk industries is that you’re no longer limited to high street banks. Over the last decade, digital banks have emerged across the UK and EU offering business bank accounts with fewer restrictions — ideal for businesses that fall under “high-risk” categories.
At Northern Payments, we work with a network of specialist banking partners that provide high-risk business accounts, even if your company has previously been declined elsewhere.
Whether you’re operating in CBD, crypto, gambling, or another regulated sector, the chances of getting ignored or declined by traditional banks are significantly higher. That’s why working with providers who understand your vertical is essential.
What Industries Are Considered High Risk?
- CBD/Vape
- Travel
- Debt management
- Game of Skill
- Gambling
- Crypto
- Money remittance/Forex
- Wholesale distributors
- Nutraceuticals
- Pharmaceuticals
- Medical Cannabis
Business Bank Account Approvals for High-Risk Sectors in the UK
When applying for a business bank account, providers assess your financial position much like a mortgage lender. They review your industry type, financials, and repayment capability before approving an account — especially if you’re in a high-risk sector.
While most UK businesses can open a bank account without issue, companies in regulated or restricted sectors may face higher scrutiny. Unless your business is well-established or supported by a solid, provable financial plan, access to traditional banks can be limited.
This is why many high-risk businesses turn to digital business bank accounts. These providers are more flexible but may charge higher monthly fees, settlement costs, or have stricter documentation requirements depending on the provider.
Expert Help to Maximise Your Approval Chances
With nearly 10 years of experience helping UK business owners in high-risk verticals, Northern Payments can support you through the entire application process. We offer tailored advice to reduce rejection risk — from reviewing your business plan to highlighting key compliance concerns.
Let us help you approach the right providers with confidence and improve your chances of securing a business account quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How merchant cash advances work?
Merchant cash advances (MCAs) are an alternative to traditional loans. Instead of being secured by fixed assets, MCAs are based on your card payment processing volume.
A fixed amount is agreed upfront, based on your predicted future earnings. This is repaid automatically as a percentage of your daily or weekly card sales. A flat fee is deducted at the source, and the remainder is deposited into your business account.
The key benefit? Fast access to funds with no fixed monthly repayments — just a manageable percentage that still allows you to keep cash flow moving.
How to get a high-risk merchant account?
Securing a high-risk merchant account can be challenging, but it’s absolutely possible with the right preparation.
First impressions count — especially in the payments industry. Make sure your business plan, website, and compliance documentation are in good shape before applying.
At Northern Payments, we help high-risk merchants prepare properly, avoiding common pitfalls that lead to declines. With experience across CBD, vape, travel, and crypto sectors, we’ve helped hundreds of high-risk merchants successfully get approved.
Is my business high risk?
Businesses can be classified as high risk due to factors like:
Industry type (e.g., CBD, crypto, gambling)
High chargeback rates or refund frequency
Large average transaction sizes
New or limited trading history
Our experts will evaluate your business profile and highlight any potential risk areas. Even if you’re newly established or unsure, we can advise if you fall within a high-risk category and prepare you accordingly.
What happens if I get declined for a merchant account?
If you’re declined for a merchant account, it can be due to:
A mismatch with the provider’s acceptance criteria
High credit risk or insufficient trading history
Existing registration on VMAS/MATCH lists (by Visa/Mastercard)
A decline may impact future applications if multiple providers are approached at once.
Our advice: Be honest about your business model and any past issues. We’ll help you navigate the process and improve your chances of approval by identifying the right acquirer for your profile.
