Lending by JLFG — articles
Long-form, plain-English explanations of small business working capital. Each is written so an owner who's never raised capital can read one and ask better questions of any broker. Topics include strategic timing, comparing factor rates against APR, reading a quote, and credit-tolerant revenue-based financing.
When to look for working capital: before you need it, while monthly revenue is strong
Strong monthly revenue qualifies you for the largest first-position facility at the best pricing. Lenders price urgency into deals — applying from a position of strength results in larger advances, lower factor rates, and longer terms. With qualification thresholds + 4 strategic timing triggers + a 5-fact intake.
Comparison GuideWorking capital for small business: a straight-talk guide to your real options
Six categories of SMB financing — working capital advances, term loans, lines of credit, equipment financing, invoice factoring, SBA. How each one actually prices, when each one fits, the trap most owners fall into when comparing them.
Cost of CapitalAPR vs factor rate: actually understanding what your financing costs
Why "1.35 factor rate over 12 months" is not the same as "35% APR" — and why this misconception is worth thousands of dollars per year for the average SMB. With worked examples for a $100K advance.
Quote ReadingHow to read a working capital quote: 7 things brokers don't always explain
Origination fees, daily vs weekly payment cadence, prepayment terms, stacking penalties, ACH controls, default acceleration, "true-up" clauses. The details that separate a fair quote from a trap.
Product ComparisonWorking capital advance vs equipment financing vs line of credit — which fits your use case
A use-case framework for picking the right tool from the five most common SMB products. Speed, asset, cadence, and predictability — the four questions that point at the right product before rate enters the conversation.
UnderwritingBank statement quality: what MCA funders actually look at
The five metrics every underwriter pulls — deposits, average balance, NSFs, negative days, deposit count — and how 1 vs 3 NSFs can change your factor rate by 5-8%. With a 90-day fix-up checklist.
Debt RestructuringWhen MCA position consolidation actually saves money (and when it doesn't)
The math behind straight consolidation vs reverse consolidation. When the daily payment drop is real savings vs band-aid relief — and the red flags that you're being sold a refinance, not a fix.
Broker EconomicsHow MCA brokers get paid — compensation structures, splits, and commissions
The typical 8–15% commission, splits in solo vs team vs sub-broker shops, renewal economics most brokers miss, and when brokering isn't worth the effort. Written by a working broker, for owners and prospective brokers.
Broker EconomicsISO Agreement vs Direct Funder — when MCA brokers should go direct
The decision tree for active brokers at 8-10 deals/month: stay sub-broking under an ISO (5-7% comp) or graduate to direct funder appointments (8-15%+). Side-by-side comp math, threshold deal volume that flips the answer, and the 5 requirements to actually get appointed direct.
Broker EconomicsThe Working Capital Moment: how MCA brokers earn insurance referral income
Funded merchants buy life insurance at 3-4× the base rate within 60 days. Broker playbook for converting that window into $5K-$40K/year in referral income with zero additional licensing — referral fee tiers, intro-call language, state compliance notes.
Broker EconomicsThe MCA Stip Package: what funders actually look at (and what kills your tier)
A clean stip package is the difference between funder tier-1 status and getting your submissions back-shelved. Walk through what every funder reviews — bank statements, application detail, owner ID, business verification — and the 5 most common mistakes that drop your tier.
Business ExitSelling your business — cash, earnout, or seller note structure
Why deal structure matters as much as price. All-cash, cash + earnout, cash + seller note — when each fits, where your negotiating leverage is, and the realized-value gap most first-time sellers don't see coming.
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