How To Build Business Credit

Building business credit should be one of your top priorities as you grow your small business. A strong business credit profile can help you qualify for bank loans or other sources of funding at competitive interest rates. If you’ve been denied a small-business loan, it might be because you have bad personal or business credit. Thirty-six percent of small-business borrowers who get a “no” from creditors are turned down because of their credit scores, while another 30% are denied for new or insufficient credit history, according to a study by the Federal Reserve Banks of New York, Atlanta, Cleveland, and Philadelphia. Borrowers with bad credit might also have higher interest rates, higher insurance premiums, and less favorable payment terms with suppliers. You can get a small-business loan despite bad personal credit. But if you take steps first to build your business credit, you’ll qualify for lower interest rates, cutting the total cost of your loan. If your business is new and doesn't have a credit history, use this guide to start building your business credit score.