Last reviewed: October 2, 2026
Disclaimer: This review summarizes publicly available information, including customer reviews, forum posts such as Reddit, BBB and Trustpilot listings, court records, regulator actions, and news reports. It is not the opinion of MCAFax. MCAFax cannot confirm or deny any allegations, complaints, or claims described here. Information may be outdated or incomplete. MCAFax is not affiliated with this lender. This is not legal or financial advice. Lenders who believe something is inaccurate can contact info@mcafax.com for review.
Summary verdict
Cardiff, Inc., based in Solana Beach, California, offers business loans, equipment financing, lines of credit, merchant cash advances and SBA loans (Cardiff Contact, Cardiff). It says it has funded more than $12.4 billion since 2004 (Cardiff About). The closest BBB match is "Bank of Cardiff" (Commercial Finance & Leasing Bank of Cardiff Inc) in nearby Del Mar, which is accredited with an A+ rating (BBB). Its complaints mention equipment loans "via the Bank of Cardiff," but we could not confirm that it is the same company as Cardiff, Inc.
Paper Grade: C paper
Cardiff's qualification page lists a 500+ credit score, 1 year in business and working capital up to $250,000 (Cardiff qualify). A 500 credit floor with MCA products puts this at C paper. Paper grade describes the borrower profile this lender targets, not the lender's quality.
Research-Based Reputation Score: 7.5 / 10 (reputation rank: tied #16 of 72 lenders scored, as of October 2, 2026)
How we got there: start at 5.0, then +1 for BBB accreditation (since January 15, 2015) with an A+ rating, +1 because BBB lists the business as started in December 2007 (BBB), and +1 because our searches of regulator sites, court records and news coverage turned up no regulator orders or court judgments in which it is a named party. Then −0.5 for a BBB customer-review average of 1/5 from 5 reviews (BBB reviews). Its 2 BBB complaints in three years both concern getting title paperwork after an equipment loan; with only two, we made no theme deduction (BBB complaints). The total is 7.5, with lower confidence because the BBB entity match is not confirmed.
About the Paper Grade: it reflects only the borrower profile and deal type the lender targets (stated credit, time-in-business and revenue minimums, and product type). It is not a judgment of the lender's quality. A = strong credit (about 625–650+), established businesses, APR-priced loans or lines. B = fair credit (about 600+), short-term or factor-rate products. C = credit about 500–599, younger businesses, MCA or revenue-based, or sales-based platform financing with no credit check. D = minimal credit requirements, very new businesses, stacked positions or high-risk industries. Lawsuits and regulator actions never change the Paper Grade.
About the Research-Based Reputation Score (1–10, half-points): it summarizes public signals and is not the opinion of MCAFax. Every lender starts at 5.0. Points are added for BBB accreditation and an A+ rating, years in business, strong Trustpilot ratings, and a clean record (no regulator orders or court judgments in which the lender itself is a named party). Points are subtracted for a BBB rating of C− or lower (−1), a BBB customer-review average below 2.5/5 (−0.5), recurring complaint themes (−0.5 to −1), and a pending class action (−0.5). Government actions are scored only when the lender itself is a named party: −1 for a settled action not about borrowers, −2 for a regulator consent order with a penalty and no admission, −3 for active enforcement or a final order about borrower treatment, and −5 for an industry ban or court finding of liability. The lowest score, 1.0, is reserved for lenders under an industry ban or a final fraud judgment. Ratings we could not read score zero, and routine collection suits are not scored. Every point applied to this lender is listed above. Ranks are as of the date shown; MCAFax cannot confirm or deny any allegation counted here.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Products | Business loans, equipment financing, lines of credit, MCA, SBA loans (Cardiff) |
| Minimums | 500+ Credit, 1 year in business; up to $250,000 working capital (Cardiff qualify) |
| HQ | 330 S Cedros Ave #202, Solana Beach, CA (Cardiff Contact) |
| BBB (closest match) | Bank of Cardiff, Del Mar: A+, accredited since 1/15/2015; 1/5 from 5 reviews; 2 complaints (BBB) |
What borrowers and reviewers report
Positive themes: Cardiff advertises prequalification with no hard credit pull and same-day funding (Cardiff).
Negative themes: BBB complainants say they could not get title documents released after paying off equipment loans (BBB complaints).
Reported concerns to plan around
These are allegations or reported experiences, not findings, unless a final order is cited.
- Title release: if you finance a vehicle or equipment, ask how and when the title is released at payoff (BBB complaints).
Who it may suit, and who may want to skip it
May suit: businesses with a year of history and fair or weak credit that want fast working capital or equipment financing. May want to skip: businesses that want bank-level rates and long terms.
What to do next
Been contacted by Cardiff? Report the phone number or email that reached you, and sign up to block unwanted funding calls. → Report a number or email (https://mcafax.com/report?lender=cardiff)
Looking for funding? Tell us what you need, and we'll help you compare Cardiff with other funders that fit. → Apply through MCAFax (https://mcafax.com/apply?lender=cardiff)
Sources (accessed October 2, 2026)
Cardiff homepage: cardiff.co
Cardiff About page: cardiff.co
Cardiff Contact page: cardiff.co
Cardiff How to Qualify page: cardiff.co
BBB profile, Bank of Cardiff (closest match): https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/del-mar/profile/small-business-loans/bank-of-cardiff-1126-100088496
Disclaimer: This review summarizes publicly available information, including customer reviews, forum posts such as Reddit, BBB and Trustpilot listings, court records, regulator actions, and news reports. It is not the opinion of MCAFax. MCAFax cannot confirm or deny any allegations, complaints, or claims described here. Information may be outdated or incomplete. MCAFax is not affiliated with this lender. This is not legal or financial advice. Lenders who believe something is inaccurate can contact info@mcafax.com for review.