The shadowy world of merchant cash advances
9 min•11 mars 2026
During the pandemic, mostly unregulated lenders went after struggling restaurants and music venues, charging at times sky high rates. Now, they’ve found a new market: small businesses that desperately need cash to pay tariffs.
Today on the show, the story of a financial lifeline that can turn into a financial choke hold.
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Related episodes:
Can I get my tariff money back now?
Three ways companies are getting around tariffs
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Today on the show, the story of a financial lifeline that can turn into a financial choke hold.
Come see Planet Money live on stage in April! 12 cities. Details and tix here: https://tix.to/pm-book-tour.
Related episodes:
Can I get my tariff money back now?
Three ways companies are getting around tariffs
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
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