50 Shades of Small Business Financing: The Grey Area For Business Owners

May 20, 2013 By Marco Carbajo

Small Business Financing

Small business owners and start-ups encounter a lot of the same problems when it comes to running their business. Finding funds to get started and then thrive isn’t always easy.

Personal finances and business finances begin to intermingle. Some, in fact many, are turning to credit cards in the hopes that their business will be successful – and they can pay off the debt accrued in a relatively short period of time.

This isn’t always the case as some businesses won’t make it and some won’t be as successful as anticipated.
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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

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’.

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

To Your Success!

Marco Carbajo

About the Author

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 =>

How Shelf Corporations Improve Business Credit Building

October 1, 2009 By Marco Carbajo

There has been a growing interest in shelf corporations from many of the investors, small business owners and entrepreneurs that I have the opportunity to speak with on a daily basis who are looking for ways to speed up the business credit building process.

I felt that by sharing some insight with you on shelf corporations and what are the key business credit building advantages will better prepare you in making a more educated decision if this is an option you’re thinking about.

Now, let’s first cover the basics.

What is a shelf corporation?

A “Shelf Corporation, also known as an “Aged Corporation” (or “Aged Company” when referring to an LLC, for example) is a corporation that is already formed, but not in use, and ready for “purchase” by a new owner. There are many reasons that people purchase shelf corporations, and there are certain things to look out for when considering one of these “ready-made” corporations which I will cover shortly.

Now one of the questions I’m sure you’re thinking is “Why should I purchase a Shelf Corporation?”

Shelf corporations allow you to engage into business, credit, or real estate agreements as an established company without having to go through the long waiting period of establishing a brand new corporation.

Most potential creditors or business resources are less likely to extend credit or lend to new or up-start corporations. By approaching them as an established corporation or company, the more likely your business has the chances of more access to credit lines, banking relationships, leases, and so on.

For example, during the initial stages of building business credit there are some vendors that will only extend credit to companies that are at least 2 years in business. In some cases they also require a personal guarantee if the business is less than a year old. By purchasing a shelf corporation that’s three or even ten years old can drastically increase the number of credit opportunities available to you.

Now don’t worry if your existing corporation is less than 2 years old because you’ll still be able to obtain business credit, but the amount of banks that you can apply at will be limited. If you’re planning on starting a corporation or setting up another corporation then this may be an option to entertain.

Shelf corporations can also offer a large increase in borrowing power as well as enhanced credibility for your business when talking to customers and lenders.

Remember the age of the owners does not necessarily correspond with the age of the company.

When the H.J. Heinz Company advertises that it was established in 1869, it doesn’t mean that all of the shareholders are well over 100 years old. It simply means that the company was filed in that year. You can take advantage of similar credibility benefits when advertising to customers.

The age of your company can give greater credibility to customers and lenders than a business that was recently established. So, purchasing companies with established credit and existing credit lines can give the business a big financial boost.

Here are the Top 5 Advantages of a Shelf Corporation

1. Saving time and expense of forming a brand new corporation

2. Instant access to contract and government contract bidding. Most states require that your company be in business for a specified minimum length of time.

3. Instant credibility and an appearance of corporate history.

4. More attractive to potential investors and investment capital.

5. Faster and easier access to banking relationships and lines of credit.

If you currently have a shelf corporation then you can use it to obtain credit card funding. As far as purchasing a shelf corporation, given the current credit crunch, banks want to see more than even being a 2 year old corporation. So if your only interest is in applying for bank financing keep in mind Shelf Corporations have no business history, tax returns, financials and existing revenue.

Caution!

There are many companies that sell shelf corporations that have done business in the past, DO NOT buy these! If a shelf corporation has done business in the past and you purchase it you also assume all past liabilities of that company. So if the company has had any lawsuits brought against the corporation from the past you are now liable because you now own the corporation.

It’s critically important that the shelf corporation you are considering not have any inherent or lingering liabilities. For the most part, this can be assured by looking into the history of the corporation and ensuring that the extent of its business activities were limited or non existent except for the application of an Employer Identification Number and maybe the formation of a bank account.

Shelf corporations can be a great option if the proper due diligence is taken and there are many aged shelf Nevada corporations, Delaware corporations, Wyoming corporations, offshore corporations and Canadian Corporations that are available but be sure you do your homework.

Are you considering a shelf corporation?

P.S If you are interested in a LLC Shelf corporation that’s 1-2 years old let me know and I would be happy to help you. I have several Nevada LLC’s with Wells Fargo bank history. Email [email protected] if you’re interested.

Remember – “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” ~ Jim Rohn

About the Author

What has Business Credit done for you lately?

September 14, 2009 By Marco Carbajo

During the early stages of starting and operating a business, many small business owners have become accustom to using personal credit cards to finance purchases, equipment, and even payments to suppliers or vendors. What’s even more alarming is if you personally guarantee each and every credit card, credit line, or loan for your business then you are putting your personal assets and family at risk!

This leads me to ask you “What has business credit done for you lately?”

Statistics show that over 65% off all small businesses use credit cards on a regular basis; but the problem is less than half of those credit cards are actually in the business name.

The single greatest challenge facing small business owners is awareness. Less than ten percent of business owners in America know about let alone understand how business credit is established or how to even generate a business credit rating.

Business credit can do much more than personal credit can or ever should do for your business!

So what is business credit?

It’s the ability to obtain financing under the name of your business entity without using personal credit. 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.”

Entrepreneurs and small business owners who have a separate legal entity for their business 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 doing just fine and you don’t need the credit think again! The reality is that every 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 the business may require in order to grow. Adopting a ‘cash only’ strategy is a good plan but should never be the only plan.

After the recent economic downturn today’s small business owner is 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 including a strong business credit profile, a favorable business credit rating, and a solid bank rating. Wells Fargo states “The longer you delay establishing business credit, the longer you delay taking advantage of business loans.”

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. Here are some other benefits of building business credit:

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

2. Eliminate 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.

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

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

5. Eliminate personal liability you have on your existing business debt by balance transfer from personal credit to your business credit.

6. Increase your personal credit limit availability for you and your family.

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

8. Improve the appearance of your businesses’ funding capacity and stability.

9. Eliminate inquiries on personal credit when applying for business financing.

10. Last but not least you SAVE 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.

CLICK HERE to become a business credit member and discover what business credit can do for you!

To Your Success!

Marco Carbajo

About the Author

50 Shades of Small Business Financing: The Grey Area For Business Owners

Small Business Financing

Top 10 Credit Reporting Agencies Every Business Owner Should Know

8 Steps to Building Business Credit

How Shelf Corporations Improve Business Credit Building

What has Business Credit done for you lately?

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