How MCAFax grades lenders: the paper-grade scale

Our grade describes who the lender serves and how it behaves, based on public evidence. It is not a credit rating and not a guarantee.

The scale

• A paper: serves strong, established borrowers (typically 2+ years in business, solid revenue, about 650–700+ FICO). Pricing is disclosed as APR or clearly published, and payments can be monthly or longer-term. Reputable track record, no material regulator or court findings against it, and a complaint pattern that is minor or resolved.
• B paper: mainstream online and alternative lender. Accepts fair credit (about 600–650) and about 1+ year in business. Costlier short-term products (APR often 30%+ or factor-rate pricing), daily or weekly payments common. Generally solid reputation, with recurring but non-systemic complaints about cost, marketing calls, or servicing.
• C paper: higher-risk merchant cash advance / revenue-based funder. Accepts thin or low credit (about 500–600) and young businesses. Factor-rate pricing that is not published, frequent remittances, UCC liens, and anti-stacking clauses. Complaint patterns about cost, renewals, collections, or lien release, but no major regulator findings.
• D / High-risk: regulator or court findings of deceptive or unlawful practices, an industry ban, a pattern of confession-of-judgment or aggressive collections, or an entity that is under active government enforcement. Avoid, or proceed only with a lawyer.
• TBD: we couldn't find enough independent evidence to grade responsibly.

Grades are editorial opinions and are re-checked at least every 6 months, and immediately whenever new regulator or court actions surface.

What goes into a grade

Each review is built from the lender's own published terms, third-party reviews, BBB and Trustpilot profiles, court records and regulator actions, all cited on the page. Regulator and court findings weigh most. Customer comments we summarize are individual experiences and allegations, not findings of fact unless a court or regulator says so.

What the grade is not

It is not a credit rating, not a ranking of who will approve you, and not advice. A lender's grade can be lower than its approval odds for your business and higher than its cost. Read the review, then read your contract, and run the real cost through the calculator before you sign.

Independent editorial opinion. MCAFax is not a lender or broker, and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or paid by any lender reviewed here. Terms, rates, and requirements are set by each lender and can differ from what's shown; always read your contract and confirm costs in writing. Nothing here is legal, tax, or financial advice. Lenders: to request a correction, email info@mcafax.com.

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