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The Daily Line

Deep dives

2 min left
Deep dive— the long read

The Hidden Costs of MCA Lead Generation: What Brokers Aren't Tracking

Most brokers know their cost-per-lead but few track cost-per-funded-deal. Our analysis of 12,000 leads across 50 brokers reveals surprising economics.

DO
David Okafor
Fintech Editor
September 8, 2026
7 min read · 3d ago
September 8, 2026 · 7 min read
Filed under lead generation · broker economics · cost analysis
  1. 1Most brokers know their cost-per-lead but few track cost-per-funded-deal.
  2. 2Our analysis of 12,000 leads across 50 brokers reveals surprising economics.
  3. 3Position count is the strongest single predictor of loss in the data — stronger than industry or FICO.

What happened

Most brokers know their cost-per-lead but few track cost-per-funded-deal. Our analysis of 12,000 leads across 50 brokers reveals surprising economics.

Moneyline confirmed the details with 3 people with direct knowledge, who asked not to be named because the matter is not yet public. This story on lead generation is developing; we will update it as filings and statements land.

Why it matters

The numbers reframe a debate the industry has had for years on anecdote alone. Position count, not industry or FICO, is the single strongest predictor of loss in the sample — and the gap widens sharply once a merchant crosses into a third position.

By the numbers
portfolio exposure analyzed
$2.1B
funded files in the sample
78K
loss multiple, stacked vs. clean
3.9×

The numbers behind it

The figures below come from Moneyline's data desk, drawn from verified member submissions and public filings. They are directional, not audited — but they are the clearest picture available today.

What we're hearing

Underwriters we spoke with were unsurprised by the direction and surprised by the magnitude. Several said they would revisit position limits in the next pricing cycle; two said they already had.

“Stacking isn't a merchant problem. It's an information problem we've chosen not to solve.”
Chief credit officer, top-10 funder

What to watch

  1. Position limits in Q4 pricing updates from the top 10 funders
  2. Whether a shared real-time position registry gains traction
  3. Default curves for 2nd-position restaurant paper through winter

Reporting by David Okafor. Tips and corrections: editorial@moneyline.com.

lead generationbroker economicscost analysismarketing
511 online now

Discuss in #news-desk

53 comments · 22 members weighing in

Open channel
TR
Tony RussoProvider·3:19 PM

The position-level default table is the most useful thing I've read this year. Printing it for our underwriting offsite.

NPMT14 repliesLast reply 4m ago
AK
Amanda KingInvestor·2:56 PM

Would love the same cut by industry. Restaurants skew every aggregate number in this space.

BHSC2 repliesLast reply 13m ago
DM
David Martinez·2:33 PM

Bookmarked. This is exactly why I read Moneyline before I open email.

CRJD3 repliesLast reply 22m ago
AMAdd to the conversation…↵
On this page
  1. What happened
  2. Why it matters
  3. The numbers behind it
  4. What we're hearing
  5. What to watch
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