MCA field guide
How MCA lenders calculate monthly revenue
What counts as operating revenue, what is usually excluded, and why deposits alone can overstate a merchant’s qualification.
Quick answer
Lenders generally start with recent business-bank deposits, remove non-operating credits, and review consistency across the requested statement period. Gross credits are not automatically eligible revenue.
Start with eligible business deposits
Underwriters typically review recent business bank statements and separate operating revenue from transfers, loan proceeds, owner injections, returned items, and other non-operating credits. The gross deposit total is not automatically eligible revenue.
Look for consistency and concentration
Averages can hide a declining month or one unusually large deposit. Underwriters may compare each month, deposit count, customer concentration, seasonality, and whether revenue arrives through predictable channels.
Enter defensible revenue
Use the lender’s requested statement window and document material adjustments. The Lender List matcher compares the monthly revenue entered against sourced minimums; it cannot validate bank statements or determine eligible revenue for a lender.
Practical checklist
- Use the requested number of complete statements.
- Separate operating deposits from transfers and loan proceeds.
- Flag owner injections and unusual credits.
- Compare the average with the lowest and most recent month.
- Review deposit count and concentration.
- Document seasonal or one-time events.
Common questions
Do transfers count as revenue?
Usually not when they simply move the merchant’s own money between accounts. Confirm the lender’s method.
Which month matters most?
Policies vary, but a declining or unusually low recent month can matter even when the multi-month average qualifies.
Can the matcher calculate eligible revenue from statements?
No. It compares the defensible revenue entered by the user with sourced lender minimums.
Primary sources and context
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Small business lending rule FAQsOfficial federal context for merchant cash advances and sales-based financing.
Methodology and corrections
This guide distinguishes calculations, common industry practice, and lender-specific policy. Criteria should be confirmed from the dated source on each lender profile. Report an error through the correction policy.