build business credit Archives - Page 4 of 7

Build Corporate Credit for your Home Based Business

January 18, 2010 By Marco Carbajo

One of my friends recently asked me whether or not he can build corporate credit for his home based business. After asking a few simple questions there was really only one obstacle that was preventing him from starting which was the legal structure of the sole proprietorship that he chose for his company.

Unfortunately, this happens to be the most common choice among home based businesses. Normally you don’t pay anything to start a sole proprietorship. Of course you don’t get anything, either.

Unless you count the following as valuable business assets:

* Lots of personal liability

* No protection from your business creditors

* An increased risk of being audited

* Problems with valuation for a subsequent sale of the business

The reason for this lack of protection is because a sole proprietorship is not considered a separate legal structure. Instead, it is considered a personal extension of you and because this business types is considered a personal extension of you, you don’t have any protection from it.

In addition, you can’t establish corporate credit separate from your personal credit with a sole proprietorship. In order to build company credit you will need to first incorporate your home based business and next obtain an employee identification number (EIN).

This step by far is the most important because it’s the foundation for what you will build business credit upon. Not to mention all the other important areas that entity selection affects such as taxes, liability and asset protection.

Once you incorporate your business and have obtained an employee identification number you will then need to complete the standard corporate conformity guidelines that creditors expect your business to complete. There are over twenty specific tasks that I review with our members prior to setting up their business credit file and applying for vendor credit lines to build their corporate credit.

Now if you’re wondering why your home based business would need this credit information first ask yourself the following questions:

Do I use my personal credit cards to pay for my home based business expenses?

Do I purchase goods and services from other businesses using my personal credit in order to operate and grow my home based business?

Do the credit card charges I incur for my home based business show up on my personal credit reports?

When you build business credit you have the unique opportunity to obtain business credit cards with no personal guarantee. Best of all when you use these cards for your home based business expenses they don’t affect your personal credit reports!

Some other benefits include:

Business credit cards have much higher limits than personal credit cards.
You can build companycredit even if you have bad personal credit
Reduce your tax burden and improve accounting

If you’ve been doing business up to now without a business structure, both the IRS and your state government defaults your business into a sole proprietorship.

And that means you’re exposed.

Now is the time to select the proper business structure for your home based business if you want to establish corporate credit and you want to protect yourself from personal liabilities.

To access corporate credit insider secrets, premium vendors, leasing companies, business credit cards, and lenders that report to all the major business credit bureaus become a member of my Business Credit Insider’s Circle. Submit your name and email below for details and receive a free audio seminar ($597 value) =>

Marco Picture 2009 Super Small pic Marco Carbajo is a business credit specialist, author, speaker, and founder of the Business Credit Insiders Circle. He is a weekly columnist for Dun & Bradstreet Small Business Solutions, a business credit blogger for All Business & American Express Small Business and author of “Eight Steps to Ultimate Business Credit” and “How to Build Business Credit with No Personal Guarantee.” His articles and blogs have also been featured in Business Week, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Tribune, Scotsman Guide, Alltop, Entrepreneur Connect, and Active Rain.

Building Business Credit: Obtaining a Federal Tax ID#

October 25, 2009 By Marco Carbajo

Business Federal Tax ID

A business Federal Tax ID number (also called an EIN number) is mandatory, because without one, your corporation will be useless. Your Tax ID number will be the number that identifies your business and information. It’s just like how your Social Security number will identify who you are for your personal credit.

Once you have incorporated your business then you’re ready to apply for an EIN.

If you already have a corporation or LLC but do not have a Federal Tax ID number than you will need to apply for one.

For more information be sure to check out the FAQ section on Employer ID Numbers.

If you have had a corporation for some time but never have obtained a tax ID number don’t worry. Tax ID numbers are not generated in a numerical fashion and there is no way for a lender to determine when your tax ID was obtained and compare it to the start of your business.

This is also important to know for shelf corporations if you are planning on using one. After you have obtained your tax ID number for business you’ll also be ready to open a small business bank account.

If you’re serious about building business credit without a personal guarantee then you will have to complete these two steps before you can move forward:

Incorporate your business
Obtain a Federal Tax ID#

What type of business structure do you have?

Ready to start building business credit for your corporation? Become a member of my Business Credit Insiders Circle and gain access to a proven step-by-step business credit building system? A system that provides you access to premium vendors, business credit cards, funding sources and lenders that report to all the major business credit bureaus. Submit your name and email below for details and receive a free audio seminar ($597 value) =>

To Your Success In Business and in Life!

Did This Blog Help You? If so, I would greatly appreciate if you like and shared this on Facebook and Twitter.

About the author

Marco Carbajo is a business credit expert, author, speaker, and founder of the Business Credit Insiders Circle. He is a business credit blogger for Dun and Bradstreet Credibility Corp, the SBA.gov Community, About.com and All Business.com. His articles and blog; Business Credit Blogger.com, have been featured in ‘Fox Small Business’,’American Express Small Business’, ‘Business Week’, ‘The Washington Post’, ‘The New York Times’, ‘The San Francisco Tribune’,‘Alltop’, and ‘Entrepreneur Connect’.

Top 10 Credit Reporting Agencies Every Business Owner Should Know

October 21, 2009 By Marco Carbajo

business-credit-report I was excited to write this particular post because there is such a tremendous lack of awareness in the entrepreneur and small business community surrounding the business credit industry.

I have assembled my ‘Top 10 Credit Reporting Agencies Every Business Owner Should Know’ in order to full educate the entrepreneur and small business community on what’s available in the marketplace to grow and maintain their credit files.

While the majority of consumers are fully aware of the three main consumer credit reporting agencies known as Equifax, Transunion, and Experian there are a few that realize that there are six other separate business credit reporting agencies that specifically collect data on businesses.

The tenth reporting agency is extremely important as it has to do with you’re ability to open up a checking account with a financial institution. Banks use a reporting agency known as ChexSystems which is a network comprised of member Financial Institutions that regularly contribute information on mishandled checking and savings accounts to a central location.

Here are a few examples of the difference between a personal credit rating and business credit rating.

A personal credit score is based only on credit history whereas a credit rating for a business takes into consideration other factors like company size as determined by assets and number of employees.

Also a personal credit score is based on financial information provided by credit card companies, retail stores, and financial institutions whereas a business credit report and rating is determined by information supplied by the business owner and gathered from vendors, suppliers, and other trade accounts.

For this reason, potential lenders may be different from one another in their evaluation of a business’ credit history by emphasizing certain qualifications more than others.

Here are the Top Business Credit Reporting Agencies Every Entrepreneur Should Know About

Dun and Bradstreet (D&B)

D&B is the primary business credit reporting agency. For years, D&B has offered a variety of ratings tools that can be used to determine whether to engage in business with a particular company and to determine loan terms. For a business to get listed with this agency it needs to first obtain a DUNS Number. The most commonly used business credit score for vendors to determine a businesses’ credit worthiness is based off of D&B’s Paydex score.

Equifax Small Business Enterprise

Equifax, one of the three primary consumer credit rating agencies, also provides business credit evaluations for over 22,000,000 small businesses and corporations. Equifax has developed its own business credit score known as the Small Business Credit Risk Score^TM. This evaluation is based on a combination of reported financial transactions, including banking, leases, trade accounts, public records, as well as the demographics of the business.

The Financial Services Credit Risk Score^TM assigns a score from 101-992 with the highest score indicating the lowest risk of delinquency and the lowest score indicating the highest risk of delinquency.

The Suppliers Credit Risk Score^TM assigns a score from 101-816 with the highest score indicating the lowest risk of delinquency and the lowest score indicating the highest risk of delinquency. These scores also include explanations of why a particular business earned that score based on a series of reason codes provided in the report.

Experian SmartBusinessReports^TM

Experian is another one of the three primary consumer credit rating agencies who provides business credit evaluations. Unlike D&B and Equifax, Experian’s SmartBusinessReports^TM doesn’t assign a business credit score. Given this information, it would be up to the lender to interpret the risk associated with this type of payment history.

Credit.net

Credit.net is a division of InfoUSA® that generates credit reports on approximately 15,000,000 businesses. There are 6,000,000 of the reports in their database that have been completed on small businesses with four employees or less. The credit analysis provided by Credit.net relies on four criteria: years in business, number of employees, public records, and stability within the industry. Its business credit score is a grading system from A through C (70-100) and is awarded as an evaluation of the company’s credit history.

Accurint^TMBusiness

This is a new business that is a combination of forces between The Better Business Bureau (BBB) and LexisNexis, one of the leading providers of business services and information. AccurintRBusiness is like Experian in that they provide public and business profile information, including credit history based on payment patterns of small, medium, and large companies. This company provides a payment history only with no type of unique business credit scoring system.

ClientChecker

This is a credit reporting bureau that started in 2003 and specifically targets small businesses, freelance professionals, and contractors seeking information to help them determine which other businesses they should do business with. Rather than providing a fixed business credit score, ClientChecker compiles information based on feedback from its members.

*Another business credit reporting agency worth mentioning is Paynet

Paynet is the premier provider of risk management tools and market insight to the commercial credit industry, collecting real-time loan information from more than 200 leading U.S. lenders.

The company’s proprietary database is the richest and largest collection of commercial loans and leases, consisting of more than 14 million current and historic contracts worth $645 billion.

These business credit reporting agencies allow a business to establish its own credit profile, scores, and payment history. The challenge for entrepreneurs and small business owners is realizing that a business credit file will not be established unless the file is initially set up and activated by the business owner.

I encourage all entrepreneurs and small business owners to separate your personal credit from your business credit and position your business for unlimited financing potential.

Looking to build your business credit? Become a member of my Business Credit Insiders Circle and gain access to a proven step-by-step business credit building system. A system that provides you access to vendor lines of credit, fleet cards, business credit cards with and without a PG, funding sources and lenders that report to all the major business credit bureaus. Submit your name and email below for details and receive a free business credit building audio seminar ($597 value) =>

To Your Success In Business and in Life!

Did This Blog Help You? If so, I would greatly appreciate if you like and shared this on Facebook and Twitter.

About the author

Business Credit During Tough Economic Times

October 20, 2009 By Marco Carbajo

In the past during good economic times you may have become accustom to using personal credit cards to finance purchases, equipment, and even payments to suppliers or vendors when starting and operating your business.

Unfortunately times have changed for business credit for small business and what has become a shocking reality to many are the ramifications of what the co mingling of personal credit files for business financing has resulted in.

Many small business owners who have followed the traditional route of personally guaranteeing each and every credit card, credit line, or loan for business have come to realize that they have put their personal assets and family at risk!

The single greatest challenge during these tough economic times facing small business in America is adapting to change. Less than ten percent of business owners in America know how to truly separate their personal credit from business credit let alone understand how to set up a business credit profile an establish a good rating.

So what is business credit?

It’s the ability to obtain financing under the name of your business entity without using your personal credit or personal guarantee. Business credit should be separate and based on the corporation’s credit worthiness not yours! Recently Entrepreneur Magazine was quoted as saying “You should differentiate your personal credit from your business credit.”

If you own a separate legal entity for your business than you have a unique opportunity that no other individual or sole proprietor has. It’s the ability to establish a business credit profile that is completely separate from a personal credit profile.

If you think you’re business is just making it fine despite the current economic times and you don’t need the credit think again! The reality is that your business will at one point require an influx of cash in order to cover unforeseen operating expenses, development, expansion, legal fees, inventory or a range of other items that a business may require in order to grow.

One of the key advantages of having business credit is instead of putting your personal credit and assets at risk every time your company requires financing you would now be in a position to secure the financing you need with your businesses’ credit. Some other benefits you can expect include:

…any debt you accumulate for the business would only report to your business credit file not your personal credit file.

…eliminating the co-mingling of funds–and this includes the “co-mingling” of credit profiles so you won’t jeopardize the protection of the corporate veil.

…protecting you and your family from personal liability when you get approved solely on your businesses’ credit file.

…improving your personal debt to credit limit ratios by transferring the balances of business debt used with your personal credit to your business credit.

…increase your businesses’ ability to obtain cash credit 10 to 100 times greater than you can obtain personally.

…SAVING MONEY! For example, an individual might pay up to 13% interest on a $100,000 line of credit whereas a business could qualify for an interest rate of 7%. That would save you almost $40,000 in interest alone.

After the recent economic downturn small business owners like you are facing a new era when it comes to business financing. Banks, lenders, suppliers, leasing companies and others are making adjustments, adopting new rules, and facing new regulations in the lending arena.

Now more than ever you need to be pro active and establish a new level of financial preparation which includes establishing a strong business credit profile, a favorable business credit rating, and a solid bank rating. I encourage you to start building your business credit today and enjoy the benefits and peace of mind that comes with it!

To Your Success!

Marco Carbajo

About the Author

Marco Picture 2009 Super Small pic Marco Carbajo is a business credit specialist, author, speaker, and founder of http://www.startbusinesscredit.com . Want to learn more about how to build business credit and obtain unlimited financing for your business? Claim Marco’s popular FREE business credit seminar ($597 Value), available by simply submitting your email below =>

8 Steps to Building Business Credit

October 20, 2009 By Marco Carbajo

Small Business Credit Card I felt inspired to write this post after receiving so many questions about business credit and how you go about getting approved for cash credit lines despite the current credit crunch in the economy.

Let me be the first to tell you that businesses are still getting cash credit and business financing today but lenders have adopted new criteria and stricter guidelines that many business owners fail to recognize or adapt to.

It’s more important now than ever to be pro active and informed on what is required to obtain business financing for your business. I don’t recommend anyone to wait until you need financing to start because the business credit building process takes time and doesn’t happen overnight.

Ever heard the phrase ‘Dig your well before you get thirsty?’

I’ll even give you the shovel!

Fair enough?

Great!

It’s important to understand that the biggest benefit to building business credit is not just having access to cash credit. One of the greater benefits is obtaining cash credit that does not report to your personal credit profiles. However, before any business credit building begins you’re business must meet certain corporate conformity guidelines in order to prevent it from getting red flagged by the business credit bureas.

When you start building business credit and progress in the process by establishing trade credit and eventually cash credit it’s important for you to understand that is not the end result that you should be shooting for. After building your business credit foundation the cash credit that you obtain should only be just the beginning!

You can be assured that you will obtain as much cash credit for your current needs when you follow the right steps but whether your business obtains $50,000 or $200,000, if you continue to follow the right step-by-step process you will be able to increase your cash credit lines to double or even triple the initial amount.

‘Eight Steps to Building Ultimate Business Credit’

1. Corporate Conformity

This is where you’re business credit foundation is set up and it’s critical not to take short cuts or side steps because you’re ability to obtain financing can be hampered. At this stage it’s vitally important to structure your business entity properly from both a tax and asset protection standpoint. In additon, both the business credit bureaus and lending institutions will verify certain information about your business that must meet specific lending guidelines. In order to achieve the best business classification ratings make sure you meet all the requirements before moving on to the next step in the business credit building process.

2. Business Plan

This is not a mandatory step, but it’s necessary for your overall business success as well as a door opener for specific lenders.

3. Business Credit Profile

Once you have completed corporate conformity you will be ready to set up your business credit profile with Dun & Bradstreet as well as steps to activate your business credit profile with Corporate Experian and Business Equifax.

4. Tier 1 Trade Accounts

This is the first step where you will be setting up trade accounts for your business that are known to grant small amounts of credit to businesses that have no credit history.

*Please note –

Even if you have been in business for several years doesn’t mean you have business credit history. After setting up your business credit profile there will be no history so you will need to start small and gradually build it to larger amounts over time.

5. Tier 2 Trade Accounts

At this point you set up business trade accounts for your business that are known to grant credit to businesses that have little business credit history. Because most Tier 1 accounts will now be reporting on your business credit profile you can now apply for Tier 2. When Tier 2 vendors pull your business credit report they will see that you have some good history so they will grant additional credit in amounts higher then approved for in Tier 1.

6. Tier 3 Trade Accounts

These companies will grant credit in higher amounts than what was granted from Tier 1 and Tier 2 accounts. Those members with good personal credit history may also be ready for bank financing at this stage. Each tier builds upon the previous tier. Many of my clients who want to apply for bank financing at this stage can but at this stage they will need to use their personal credit scores for approval and will need to be in the 680+ range. If personal credit scores are below the necessary range then I suggest enrolling in a credit restoration program.

7. Tier 4 Cash Credit Accounts

Tier 4 accounts consist of vendors who will grant your business cash credit cards, typically with a Visa or MasterCard logo. Benefits to you include no personal guarantee and affect on your personal credit profiles.

8. Advanced Business Financing

At this stage of the process your business credit file is built, you have history, business scores, rating; access to funding and you can continue to obtain even larger amounts of financing by following my advanced business credit building strategies. There are many different advanced strategies to obtain additional capital with and without a personal guarantee at this stage.

Remember it’s not only about how much cash credit you obtain initially, it’s about setting up yourself for much larger amounts of capital for your business. This is accomplished by following a proven simple step-by-step process to building ‘Ultimate Business Credit!’

Remember – “People only see what they are prepared to see.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson