Business blog

Unlike a business investment from a private investor, obtaining a business LOC requires that you have a good personal credit score. If you do not have a great personal credit score then it is still possible to obtain a business line of credit, but it will be more difficult. In the event that you credit is not “up-to-par” then there are a number of lenders available that can provide you with alternative forms of debt financing that are not wholly dependant on personal credit. However, these lines of credit often have very difficult terms and high interest rates.

As any good accountant will tell you, it is imperative that you have a good credit before applying for a business line of credit, business LOC, or any other type of credit facility. Contrary to popular belief, your credit score is not directly tied to your income. Your credit score is based on the number of accounts that you have open, your outstanding balances, and your history of making payments to your creditors in a timely manner. As such, any bank or finance company that may be providing you with a credit facility will want to know this type of information. If you have large outstanding balances, delinquencies, or if the amount of debt you owe is far above normal than a bank or finance company will be less inclined to provide you with a business LOC.

As was discussed in our of our main articles, it is important that you are well aware of your credit profile among the three major credit bureaus that monitor personal credit profiles (Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union). Each of these companies can provide you with a full credit report that showcases your entire credit history over the past seven years. If there are any errors on your credit report, you have the right to have them fixed or reviewed by the credit bureau. Additionally, you have the right to obtain a free credit report once a year.

In business, obtaining an unsecured business loan is probably one of the most difficult feats. This is especially true given the current nature of our economic climate and ongoing regulatory changes for lending. Unlike the earlier part of the past decade, banks and finance companies in the wake of the fallout from the housing market have increased lending standards across the board. As we have discussed in previous articles, while interest rates have remained low, banks and finance companies have still put substantial restrictions on the business loans that they grant. This is primarily due to the “fear factor” that is still coursing through Wall Street regarding the securitization and aggregation of closed business loans.

In regards to securing an unsecured business loan, the key is that you must have an expansive credit history coupled with an expansive business history. At this point and time, it has become nearly impossible to obtain a secured business loan or other unsecured credit facility. As such, it is very important that when you approach a potential lender for an unsecured loan that you have both of the aforementioned components for both your personal financial situation and your business financial situation.

Today, the only time a bank or finance company will grant an unsecured business loan is if your business already has substantial assets and an extensive history of generating a positive cash flow. Companies that fall into this category typically consist of professional service firms such as medical practices, law practices, and accounting practices wherein the professional can always earn an income from his or her services. Outside of professional practices, healthcare companies are typically able to receive unsecured business loans although this is become less frequent given the recent changes in healthcare legislation.