How YouLend Works: Complete Guide 2025
Step-by-step explanation of YouLend's merchant cash advance process. From application to approval to repayment - everything explained in simple terms for your business growth.
How YouLend Works in 60 Seconds
You connect
Your e-commerce platform or payment processor (10 minutes)
YouLend analyzes
Your sales data automatically (instant)
You receive offer
Amount, factor rate, daily repayment % (24-48 hours)
You accept
And e-sign agreement (5 minutes)
Funds arrive
In your business account (24 hours)
Automatic repayment
They take agreed % of daily sales until repaid
Detailed Process
Application (10 Minutes)
Visit youlend.com and click "Get Started". You'll need:
Open Banking Connection: Instead of uploading bank statements, you authorize YouLend to securely read your transaction data via open banking API. Faster and more secure than manual upload.
Automated Analysis (Instant)
YouLend's algorithm analyzes your sales data:
Based on this analysis, their algorithm determines:
- • Maximum funding amount you qualify for
- • Factor rate (1.10-1.35x depending on risk)
- • Recommended daily repayment percentage
Offer Received (24-48 Hours)
You'll receive an offer showing:
Advance amount:
e.g., £50,000
Factor rate:
e.g., 1.25x
Total repayment:
e.g., £62,500
Daily deduction:
e.g., 15% of card sales
Estimated term:
e.g., 8-10 months based on current sales
Acceptance (5 Minutes)
- Review full agreement (read carefully!)
- Check factor rate, repayment %, and any conditions
- E-sign the contract online
- Authorize repayment deduction from your processor
Funding (24 Hours)
Once agreement signed, funds typically arrive within 24 hours. Money goes directly to your business bank account via faster payment. No checks or delays.
Automatic Repayment (Daily)
Each day, your payment processor settles card sales. Before settlement, YouLend deducts agreed percentage (e.g., 15%). You receive remaining 85% as normal. Process repeats daily until total amount repaid.
Real Repayment Example
Monday card sales: £1,000
YouLend takes: £150 (15%)
You get: £850
Tuesday card sales: £1,500
YouLend takes: £225 (15%)
You get: £1,275
Wednesday card sales: £500
YouLend takes: £75 (15%)
You get: £425
Notice: Repayment flexes with your sales automatically. Busy day = higher repayment. Quiet day = lower repayment. This protects your cash flow during seasonal dips.
What Happens if Sales Drop?
Scenario: Your sales drop 50% during quiet period
Normal sales
£2,000/day
YouLend takes: £300 (15%)
Sales drop to
£1,000/day
YouLend takes: £150 (15%)
Your repayment automatically halves. This protects your cash flow. Compare to traditional loan where you'd still owe full £300/day regardless of sales - risking default.
Compare YouLend vs Alternatives
See YouLend, iwoca, 365 Finance rates side-by-side
Get the best rate for your business growth • Compare in 10 minutes
Get QuotesFrequently Asked Questions
Can I pay off YouLend early?+
Yes, no penalty. If you repay the full outstanding balance early, you save on the remaining period. Some businesses get windfall (large sale, tax refund) and pay off early to minimize total cost.
What if I have no sales one day?+
Zero sales = zero repayment that day. Repayment automatically pauses. Resumes next day when sales occur. This is the key advantage over fixed monthly loan payments.
Can YouLend take more than agreed percentage?+
No. Percentage is fixed in contract. If contract says 15%, they take exactly 15% - not 15.1%, not 16%. This is regulated and monitored.