Business credit is linked to the EIN of the company. The business credit score and its profile are linked to the company name and EIN, and the company’s activity.
Business credit assists a company qualify for credit cards, loans, credit lines, and auto vehicle financing. Commercial loans are also available.
Business credit is also based on the company’s ability to pay outstanding loans and lines of credit.
Business credit is based on the company, who is on the public record involving the company.
There are unexpected factors involving business credit. The company is partly assessed on the persons associated with the public record with the company. There are other factors, such as rent district of where the office is located, the demographic makeup of the address and per capita income of that area. Some of these factors aren’t fair to certain groups who seek a level playing field in obtaining business credit.
The address of the company plays a role in profiling the business. Avoid UPS Stores, PO Boxes, and mail drops. Those addresses are considered high risk.
A personal guarantee may be avoided when there’s enough activity to support the loan, and payment history. You should start building the business credit early without a personal guarantee. If you’re seeking a large loan amount, a personal guarantee may be required if the company isn’t old enough.
Consider obtaining a business credit card without a personal guarantee. Also obtain a business credit card with a personal guarantee. Keep those accounts separated by financial institution.
Business credit may take up to six months to build. It may involve up to three (3) months to six (6) months to build business credit.
The possible ceiling of available business credit limit is many times higher than that of limits on consumer credit.
When applying for business credit, leave the Social Security Number blank. Make sure to write in the Employer Identification Number (EIN) of the company where provided.
If there’s a default in the payment of business credit, it may count against you in future applications when your SSN is tied to the debt. In other words, if you agreed to serve as guarantor for the business loan, then it will impact future applications for business credit. If you didn’t guarantee the loan, it may or may not pose a future impact on the future business credit. It depends on if the creditor reports to business credit bureaus. There may be an impact depending on how they characterized the default.
When you’re not the guarantor for the business loan, the creditor may go after the assets of the company, but not you. When you’re the guarantor for the business loan, the limited liability protection of the company won’t keep the creditor from making you personally responsible for the unpaid debt.
To obtain business credit, a financial organization will look at the business credit profile. If the profile doesn’t look complete, they may extend a small amount of credit. If so, build that by paying your obligations early.
Make certain that the name on the business credit applications is exactly as it appears on the articles of incorporation, Secretary of State registries, business licenses and online. Since many companies have similar names, any typo may cancel out an application for business credit.
Business credit results are best when operating from a corporation or LLC. Don’t do business from a sole proprietorship.
Sole proprietorships and partnerships present the risk of full liability. The corporation and the Limited Liability Company (LLC) limits your liability. Business credit will always favor the corporation and LLC because they’re more organized.
US Citizens and US Permanent Residents have SSNs. Companies have EINs. Without the EIN, you can’t open a bank account or apply for business credit.
To build business credit, don’t use a PO Box or UPS Store address. Home addresses are in the grey area. For best results, obtain a brick and mortar address.
Obtain a business phone number and register with 411 information services. Also obtain a toll-free number and fax number.
The company website should display what it does or offer, the company address, phone number(s), fax number, email and mention the principal’s names. The company email should contain the domain name and not a free email service.
The company needs a bank account in the company name. When a lender offers a line of credit, it will also invite your business to open a new account where the funding is available. The number of digits in the account balance may also be important. Consider depositing at least $1000 in the business bank account.
Compliance is critical. The company must be filed with the Secretary of State, business licenses, permits and any other compliance requirement. Also obtain a utility bill in the name of the company, such as an electric bill, water bill, or a lease.
Vendor accounts or vendor line of credit is a credit lend to the company initially for building up the company’s business credit under net 15, net 30, net 60 or net 90 days to pay. Which means whatever purchases has been made the loan amount must be returned within these days or agreed in the contract. This said terms are for mainly startup business companies.
Build out at least five (5) net 30 pay accounts reporting to your company. Some of the vendors may require prepaid order for considering your business terms. Some vendor companies don’t report back to business credit bureaus for the business. Find out if your vendor reports the account.
Companies such as Apple, Lowe’s, Walmart, BP, Shell, Macy’s, Nordstroms extend business credit.
Once the five vendor trade lines are approved, the company needs to enroll for revolving accounts. High priority accounts involve Walmart, Amazon, and Apple. This readies you for Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
Your goal is for the documentation to support the company’s operations.
Every business must be legitimate in every sense and documentation for getting easy approvals for loans from big companies or banks. The more business with various clients and always good in payments the more the company gets approval for business loans and higher goes its business credit report.
Business and shipping supplies? Uline.com and Quill.com both report to business credit bureaus. Provide them with your company’s EIN and they’ll check with 411 information services.
What factors are considered when evaluating the business credibility of your business?
