Merchant cash advance is a fast, simple way to get business cash advance with no need for security, even if you have bad credit. Merchant cash advance was initially prepared as a lump-sum payment to a business in exchange for an agreed-upon proportion of future credit card or debit card sales. The phrase is now usually used to explain a variety of little business financing options characterized by short payment terms and small standard payments as opposed to the larger monthly payments and longer payment terms related with usual bank loans.