FAQs

Are Business Loans Hard to Get?

Accessibility to business loans can vary from business to business, and depends on a combination of factors. Obtaining finance is not necessarily difficult, however may require companies to consider sources of finance other than banks. Banking institutions often have rigid conditions which may not suit all borrowers, so it is essential that organisations investigate less traditional routes when looking to secure a business loan.

Regardless of the lender, there will always be a number of criteria a company is expected to meet before they will be considered eligible for financing. That being said, each considered factor also has leeway, so by being open to exploring other, less traditional avenues, a business can find more flexible terms and a greater chance of securing the financing they need.

It’s always worth taking the time to look at different loan types when considering finance, often one choice will far outweigh the benefits of another, and should be discussed with your financial advisor before you go ahead.

How Do I Qualify For A Business Loan?

When seeking a business loan, it is essential to understand that lenders will scrutinise various aspects of your company to determine whether or not you are a viable borrower. While financial stability is undoubtedly a crucial factor, lenders will also assess the quality of your business plan and the transparency of your financial records.

A clear, comprehensive business plan that outlines your company’s goals, strategies, and financial projections can demonstrate your ability to repay the loan and provide lenders with confidence in your business. Additionally, providing access to your financial records for review can further bolster your credibility and improve your chances of securing financing.

By prioritising these factors and ensuring that your company is well-positioned to meet lenders’ expectations, you will increase your chances of obtaining a business loan and unlocking the resources you need to grow and thrive.

In addition to a solid business plan and healthy finances, meeting the minimum eligibility criteria is essential when applying for a business loan. The applicant must be over 18 years of age and operate a business that is based in the UK. However, meeting these criteria alone may not be sufficient to secure a loan, as lenders often have more specific requirements that are tailored to their lending policies.

For instance, lenders may consider the age or location of the borrower’s business and whether it operates in a specific sector or industry. Some lenders may prefer to lend to businesses that operate in certain sectors or geographical regions, based on their risk appetite and lending policies. Therefore, it is essential for borrowers to research and identify lenders whose criteria align with their business needs and goals.

What is a good credit score for a business loan?

Business credit score is broken down into categories between 0 and 100. The higher it is the better, and generally, a score of 50 and above will place you into the below average risk category, with 80 – 90 being low risk, and 90 – 100 very low risk. Below 50 is an above average risk, and is going into the negative, however, it does not mean you will not meet a lender’s requirements.

What is determined as an acceptable credit score will vary from lender to lender. Naturally, the higher your score, the more improved your chances of being approved for a loan are, however this is case to case based and there are often other factors that can be equated in to off-set potentially poor credit ratings.

Factors that determine credit score

There are a number of factors that go into determining your credit score, including your payment history, credit utilisation, and length of credit history. If you have a strong credit history and manage your finances responsibly, you should have no problem getting a good score, and if you have been in business for some time, will already have a good score.

There are a few things you can do to check your credit score for UK business loans. The first is to check with the three main credit reporting agencies in the UK: Experian, Equifax and Callcredit. You can also check with companies that offer credit scoring services, such as Noddle and ClearScore.

You can get your free credit report from each of the agencies once a year. If you find any errors on your report, you should contact the agency to have them corrected.

It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on your credit score over time so you can see how it changes. You can do this by signing up for a service like Credit Karma or Credit Sesame. These services will give you free access to your credit score and report, plus they’ll provide tips on how to improve your score.

If your business has not had time to establish a track record of credit, personal credit scores amongst directors can be looked at to give an impression of owner responsibility.

Does a business loan affect your credit rating?

Taking out a business loan can have both positive and negative effects on your business’s credit score, depending on how you utilise the opportunity. Making punctual repayments regularly will boost your score by showing that you are reliable when dealing with debt. This can lead the way to more favourable credit conditions and interest rates afterwards, and is a large part of the reason why it’s vital to have a well worked out business plan before you commit yourself to a business loan.

Across the aisle, a poorly managed or utilised business loan can lead to some serious negatives. Defaulting on a loan or missing payments can heavily impact your credit score, making it hard to get access to funding later on. Moreover, having too much debt in proportion to the amount of available credit can further reduce your credit utilisation ratio, further lowering your score.

How external factors can lower credit score

Sometimes circumstances outside of your control can negatively affect your business’s credit score. External factors like a recession or unforeseeable industry changes can heavily impact your finances, leaving it looking on paper like you have mismanaged your business. However, if you maintain adequate records and can prove your business fell foul to unpreventable problems, some lenders may take a sympathetic approach to your situation.

In these situations, it may be possible to work out more lenient loan terms or receive a loan despite a lesser credit score. To make your case more credible, it is essential to keep accurate financial documents and records to show you can pay any potential future debts.

Can I get a Business Loan with bad credit?

If you have fallen into bad credit, lenders will consider you as a high risk borrower, and will naturally be more cautious when considering you for finance, however due to the number of variables that revolve around securing loans, there will still be conditions where a business owner with a high risk or worse score could get finance.

Your credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness. It is used by lenders to determine your riskiness as a borrower and is one of the main factors that will influence the interest rate you’re offered on a loan. A higher credit score indicates a lower risk, which means you’re more likely to be offered better terms on a loan.

Eligibility for a business loan is determined by a number of factors, including your personal and business financial history, the type of business you’re in, and the amount of collateral you have available. Lenders will also consider your credit score when determining whether or not you’re eligible for a loan.

If you believe your creditworthiness is unfavourable, it is still worth searching for a financier and discussing your circumstances with them, as it doesn’t necessarily mean you will be denied the funding you need.

How can I improve my business credit score?

To improve your credit score going forward, focus on paying down debt and maintaining a good payment history. Make sure you make your payments on time. This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s important to remember that one late payment can create a snowball effect of missed credit opportunities and will rapidly have a negative impact on your score.

Focus on paying off any existing loans you have as quickly as possible. The longer you have the loan, the more interest you will accrue, and the higher your payments will be. Paying off your loan early can save you money in the long run and will help improve your credit score.

Use a mixture of different types of credit. (e.g., a mortgage, auto loan, and business loan).  Showing that you can handle different types of debt responsibly will help you maintain a positive score or can help your score recover at a quicker rate.

Check for errors on your credit report and dispute them if necessary. Sometimes errors can show up on your credit report that can drag down your score needlessly. If you see any errors, dispute them with the relevant Credit Reporting Agency.

Business Loans for Home Businesses.

Lenders will typically consider the same factors for home businesses as they would for any other type of business. These factors will generally cover a company’s credit report, financial statements, enterprise strategy, cash flow prognoses, collateral and the borrower’s trustworthiness. They will also consider the sector the home business operates in and how long it has been running for.