A business line of credit can help the 33.2 million small businesses in the US with a variety of operating and expansion expenses. A revolving line of credit that only charges interest on the amount borrowed at any one moment makes it more flexible than a standard company loan. Finding out if you qualify is another easy part of getting a company line of credit. Read this to learn the ins and outs of obtaining a company line of credit.
Standard Criteria for Lenders and Qualifications
Company credit rating
Business credit scores, similar to consumer FICO scores, indicate the reliability of a specific organization. While the specific methods and ranges of scoring may vary, the end goal remains the same. The big three in commercial credit reporting—Experian, Equifax, and Dun & Bradstreet—are usually the ones to hand them out.
To determine if your company can borrow the minimum amount, the people who provide credit lines look at your firm’s credit report and score. The exact location of that cutoff can differ from one lender to another.
A higher business credit score improves the approval probability for company loans, just like it does for household loans. They can also assist you in securing better terms and interest rates, as well as expanding your credit lines.
Minimum Required Years of Work
In terms of the length of time a business has been in operation, the majority of lenders have minimum time requirements. This usually means the company has been around a while.
The time frames that are the bare minimum can change. The majority of lenders have a one- or two-year minimum on business experience, while others may be more lenient and may work with startups with as little as six months of operation.
Lenders tend to view a company as less hazardous the longer it has been in operation. So, even when both organizations’ credit scores and financial situations are identical, small businesses that have been around for a while tend to get better deals and terms, as well as larger credit lines.
Company Profits
In the context of a company, revenue is the total of all revenues before subtracting expenses. A corporation can’t get a line of credit unless it makes a certain amount of money, either monthly or annually. Once again, the minimum amounts differ; for example, some lenders need $100,000 in yearly income. While some may require more, others may be content with less.
Comprehending the application process
A company line of credit application is usually simple. You can declare the amount you would like to receive from your credit line once you have determined how much financing you need. The lender will need all of your paperwork next.
Typically, the following paperwork is required by lenders:
- Returns on investment (personal and company)
- Licenses for businesses
- The articles of incorporation, or any other similar operational or formation documents,
- Financial records (personal and company)
- Income tax returns
- Statements of income and expenditure
- Business strategies
There may also be a need for certain real estate contracts, including building leases. What you require, though, may change based on whether you own or rent.
After gathering all the information, fill out the application. This form asks for personal and company details such as names, SSNs, and EINs, as well as required credit line amounts, purposes, and yearly income figures. Submit the application along with any needed documents, and then wait for a decision.
Once authorized, we will send you the documents that need your approval and signature. In order to finalize the procedure, you will need to sign these documents, which will detail the terms of the credit line.
Options If You Are Not Eligible
If your application doesn’t qualify, you have other options. Consider applying for a secured company credit line or loan instead of an unsecured one; shop around for other lenders’ credit lines; or work on your credit score before reapplying.
Once a decision is made, you will typically be informed of the reason your application was rejected. The optimal course of action then depends on that information. Put that to use in figuring out what steps to take. Doing this may help you get the money your company needs to grow.
