Obtaining company finance – is business credit based on personal credit?

Business credit is not solely based on personal credit, although personal credit can play a significant role in establishing business creditworthiness.

When evaluating a business’s creditworthiness, lenders and creditors consider a variety of factors, including the company’s financial history, payment track record, business structure, and industry performance.

While personal credit may be considered, it is not the sole determinant. Establishing and maintaining a separate credit profile for your business, including building a strong payment history and demonstrating responsible financial management, is crucial for obtaining favorable business credit terms and establishing a solid credit foundation independent of personal credit

Does business credit rely on my personal credit record?

When operating as a limited company, your personal credit rating does not directly impact your business’s ability to obtain financing. Instead, your company will have its own credit record, which lenders will assess to determine whether they are willing to extend credit to your business.

However, if you operate as a sole trader, there is no legal distinction between your personal and business entities. Consequently, lenders will consider your personal credit record when evaluating your creditworthiness.

If you have concerns about securing business finance due to a poor personal credit rating, it can be helpful to understand how credit ratings function and how lenders make lending decisions.

Financial institutions and lenders analyze various aspects of your financial history, including both personal and business information, to assess the level of risk you present to them.

Much of the data used for this evaluation is stored in your credit files, which are compiled and periodically updated by credit reference agencies.

Business and personal credit records

Distinct credit files exist for both individuals and their associated companies. Consumer credit information is held by major credit reference agencies such as Experian, Equifax, and Callcredit. On the other hand, for businesses, the primary credit reference agencies are Dun and Bradstreet, Graydon, and Credit safe.

However, it is important to note that each agency may possess slightly varying information about you or your business. These agencies gather and maintain data to provide lenders with a comprehensive view of creditworthiness for individuals and businesses alike.

Information in your business credit file

When it comes to your business credit file, valuable information is derived from diverse sources such as Companies House and the Registry Trust, which specifically maintains records of County Court Judgements (CCJs).

If you’ve previously secured credit, your credit file goes beyond just reflecting that fact; it reveals whether you diligently adhered to the terms and conditions of the lending arrangement until the debt was fully repaid. This historical repayment behavior plays a significant role in determining your business’s creditworthiness.

Lenders embark on a thorough evaluation of your company’s financial history, carefully scrutinizing various aspects, which include:

• Repayment History: Examining your track record regarding previous borrowings and repayments.
• County Court Judgements: Assessing any outstanding CCJs associated with your business.
• Director Information and Ownership Details: Considering the background and profiles of key individuals involved in the business.
• Company Accounts: Reviewing financial statements to understand the overall financial health and performance of your business.
• Trade Credit Information: Taking into account any trade credit arrangements you have established with suppliers or vendors.
• Finance Application History: Analyzing the number of previous finance applications made by your business and the success rate of those applications.
• Available Credit: Evaluating the overall amount of credit currently accessible to your company.

By examining these factors within your business credit file, lenders gain a comprehensive understanding of your company’s financial history and practices, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding your creditworthiness.

Building up your business credit rating

Securing business finance becomes more challenging when a company lacks a borrowing history. Commercial lenders face limited information about the company’s performance and its ability to meet contractual lending terms.

But how can you establish business credit to enhance your borrowing prospects? One effective starting point is trade credit, also known as business-to-business credit.

Trade credit involves short-term, low-level borrowing, such as acquiring office furniture or paying for monthly stationery orders on an agreed credit basis. By promptly and fully repaying these debts, you can cultivate a positive reputation and offer credit reference agencies insights into your anticipated future borrowing behavior.

By engaging in responsible trade credit practices, you can gradually build a solid foundation of business credit rating, bolstering your chances of obtaining financing in the future.

Will a business credit card provider check your personal credit rating?

Business credit cards function similarly to personal credit cards, but they offer the advantage of keeping your company’s finances separate. In some cases, limited companies provide credit cards to key staff members to enhance efficiency and manage cash flow throughout the month.

While personal credit may not necessarily indicate how a business will repay its debts, if the company has yet to establish a credit rating, lenders may rely on personal credit information as the only available data.

To make lending decisions, certain lenders employ scoring software and tools that combine personal and business credit scores, generating a comprehensive assessment of the likelihood of repayment.

As your business expands, you will likely seek additional sources of financing. If these funds are repaid as agreed, they contribute to improving the company’s credit rating. Consequently, you may enjoy the benefits of securing lower interest rates or more favorable deals in the future. By responsibly managing credit and meeting obligations, you can strengthen your business’s creditworthiness and unlock potential advantages down the line.

Does a business loan affect personal credit?

Similar to business credit cards, when applying for a business loan and lacking sufficient information for a lending decision, lenders may turn to your personal credit file for assessment.

During this process, they may conduct either a “soft” or “hard” credit inquiry. While a soft inquiry typically doesn’t impact your credit rating, a hard inquiry, if required, could potentially lower your personal credit score by one to five points if the business loan application is ultimately declined.

It’s important to be mindful of the potential impact on your personal credit score when pursuing business financing. However, remember that the specific effect may vary depending on individual circumstances and the lender’s policies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there can be some relationship between business credit and personal credit, business credit is not solely based on personal credit. Personal credit may be considered by lenders, especially for sole proprietors or when a personal guarantee is involved. Businesses have their own credit profiles, separate from personal credit, which lenders rely on to assess creditworthiness.

Building a strong business credit history, maintaining responsible financial practices, and establishing a solid credit foundation independent of personal credit are crucial for obtaining favourable business credit terms.

By separating business and personal credit, entrepreneurs can maximize their chances of securing financing and protecting personal assets.