How to Build Business Credit Without Using Personal Credit (2024)

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n some ways, running a growing business is like sending a child to college. You have to get the ball rolling, but you want it on its own two feet as soon as it's ready.

Business credit is essential to that process. Just as a young adult builds financial independence with credit cards and car loans, your business earns creditors' trust by managing its obligations.

Some entrepreneurs use personal credit to build business credit, especially in sole proprietorship situations where the individual and business are the same legal entity. But what if you don't want to—or can't—put your individual credit on the line?

In this article, you'll learn how to build business credit without using personal credit. But first, you need to understand the benefits of separating the two.

What is business credit?

Business credit demonstrates your company's creditworthiness and borrowing ability based on its financial history. Strong business credit means your business pays its bills on time and hasn't defaulted on loans or credit cards.

Several credit rating companies measure and score business credit. Two major consumer credit bureaus, Equifax and Experian, have business credit scoring models distinct from their commercial systems. Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), a leading business data firm, also has a scoring model known as the PAYDEX® Score.

Business vendors and creditors use these scoring models to determine your business's financial reliability. Improving your score lets you access cheaper financing, more attractive vendor agreements, and more. A good business credit score also means you rely less on personal credit to finance your business.

For more information check out our guide on How to Get a Business Credit Card

Are business and personal credit linked?

Business and personal credit exist separately, but the level of separation can be a fine line. For example, if you apply for a small business credit card, the card issuer will usually check your personal credit history.

Most card issuers require business borrowers to guarantee their credit personally. These guarantees make the individual responsible for debts if the business defaults. If a default happens, your credit report will reflect the default, and the company could sue you for the debt.

Your business card's credit activity could appear on your personal report even if you don't default. Some lenders report business credit card information to consumer agencies, and those reports could affect your credit.

Some business owners are comfortable allowing their personal and business credit to influence one another; others prefer to keep the two credit types separate. Either way, you have options for building your business credit.

How to leverage personal credit to build business credit

If you have strong personal credit, you can use it to open a business credit card and start building business credit. Prioritize making on-time payments to that credit card.

Also, avoid using too much of your credit allowance. Bank of America recommends keeping your business credit card usage below 30% of its limit.

Meanwhile, encourage your vendors and suppliers to report transactions to Dun & Bradstreet, even if you pay through a personal account. D&B collects this payment information and uses it to compile your PAYDEX® score.

Steps to building business credit without personal credit

You don't need to rely on consumer credit to establish a business credit history. By separating business and individual finances, you can earn a strong credit score for your organization while protecting your personal assets.

1. Choose a corporate or limited liability business structure

Your personal and business credit histories are more straightforward to separate if your business is a distinct legal entity. Sole proprietorships and unlimited liability partnerships do not create this separation.

Separate legal entities include limited liability companies (LLCs), C corporations, and S corporations. Consult with an attorney or accountant to determine which might suit your business.

Don't give up if you can't create a separate entity yet. You can still build business credit as a sole proprietor, but it's more likely that you'll have to use personal credit.

2. Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

An EIN is an identification number that tracks the tax responsibilities of employers and certain businesses without employees. Having an EIN allows creditors and credit bureaus to track your business's income and payment history separately from your personal financial history.

An EIN is essential if you're a sole proprietor learning how to build business credit without using personal credit. EINs indicate separation of financial responsibility in a way your business structure won't. An EIN may also provide certain legal protections for your personal assets.

3. Get a Dun & Bradstreet number

The Dun & Bradstreet D-U-N-S® number allows you to take advantage of D&B's Live Business Identity, which tracks an organization's financial health and creditworthiness. Vendors, suppliers, and creditors can use D-U-N-S® data to evaluate your business credit and determine whether to work with you.

4. Open a business bank account

A bank account separates your business and personal finances by recording daily business transactions. You can use your bank statements on loan, vendor, and credit card applications to verify your payment history.

5. Negotiate accounts with individual vendors and suppliers

Smaller businesses can start building credit through individual supplier relationships. If you have a good relationship with a supplier or vendor that reports to D&B, you may be able to set up a short-term credit arrangement. Each on-time payment builds your credit profile.

6. Monitor business credit reports

Tracking your business credit score is as important as checking your individual credit. Mistakes happen, and the sooner you contact the appropriate credit bureau and request a correction, the better. Resolving errors helps you maintain the high credit score you've earned.

7. Apply for corporate credit

Once you have a distinct business entity and a solid financial history, you can apply for a corporate credit card. Unlike small business cards, which you apply for using your personal history, corporate credit cards use the organization's annual revenue and financial status to make qualification decisions. This creates a complete separation from personal finances, but these cards require a longer business financial history.

If you're learning how to build business credit without using personal credit, think of corporate credit as a medium-term goal. Your vendor credit accounts and on-time payments from your bank account will help get you there.

Common ways to build business credit

Some businesses will build their credit history entirely through business account purchases, while others will use a founder's or owner's credit. Others take a balanced approach, which is why it's essential to understand your options.

In that spirit, here are three more ways you can build business credit with or without using personal credit:

  • Take out a Small Business Association loan and make on-time payments through a business account
  • Apply for a business line of credit, which lets you fund your business with borrowed assets up to a set limit
  • Find new opportunities for tradelines, a type of formalized buy-now-pay-later arrangement for business-to-business contracts

Add these ideas to the concepts you learned here, and start building your business credit. Remember to borrow only as much as your business can afford to repay.

Start building your business credit: Key points to remember

As you master how to build business credit without using personal credit, remember to keep the two as separate as possible. Important steps include:

  • Creating a distinct business identity
  • Opening a business bank account
  • Applying for credit with vendors and suppliers
  • Tracking your business credit through reporting bureaus

A reliable business bank account gives you an essential foundation. Novo connects you with a business checking solution that includes FDIC insurance through our sponsor bank - Middlesex Federal Savings, no minimum balance, and no fees. Get started by creating your account today.

Novo Platform Inc. strives to provide accurate information but cannot guarantee that this content is correct, complete, or up-to-date. This page is for informational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice nor an endorsem*nt of any third-party products or services. All products and services are presented without warranty. Novo Platform Inc. does not provide any financial or legal advice, and you should consult your own financial, legal, or tax advisors.

Novo is a fintech, and not a bank. Novo acts as a service provider to Middlesex Federal Savings, F.A., and the deposit and banking products obtained through the Novo platform are provided by Middlesex Federal Savings, F.A.

How to Build Business Credit Without Using Personal Credit (2024)

FAQs

How to get business line of credit without personal credit? ›

Steps to building business credit without personal credit
  1. Choose a corporate or limited liability business structure. ...
  2. Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) ...
  3. Get a Dun & Bradstreet number. ...
  4. Open a business bank account. ...
  5. Negotiate accounts with individual vendors and suppliers. ...
  6. Monitor business credit reports.
Dec 6, 2023

Can you apply for a business credit card without affecting personal credit? ›

If you apply for a business credit card, your personal credit score will likely take a temporary hit due to a hard inquiry from the credit card issuer.

Do you have to use personal credit for business credit? ›

Since business and personal credit files are separate, it's possible to establish strong business credit even if you have a low personal credit rating.

Can you build business credit with bad personal credit? ›

It's possible to get a business line of credit with bad personal credit, but it can be difficult—you'll run into the same challenges as you would applying for a business credit card. Lenders prefer applicants with strong credit scores, though some alternative lenders might be more flexible here.

Can I get a business loan with a 500 credit score? ›

Business loans help you expand operations, cover payroll, pay for supplies, and manage cash flow. When you have poor or bad credit, finding a lender can be difficult, but there are many loan options available with credit scores as low as 500.

Can I get a business line of credit with bad credit? ›

It can be challenging for business owners to secure a business loan with bad credit. But even if your options are limited, you may be in luck. Bad credit business loans are often available to business owners with personal credit scores that are considered bad to fair (FICO scores of 300 to 669).

What is the 5/24 rule? ›

The 5/24 rule is an unofficial policy that dictates that Chase won't approve you for its cards if you've opened five or more personal credit card accounts from any issuer in the last 24 months. Put simply, the number of cards you've opened in the previous two years will affect your approval odds with Chase.

How to get business credit fast? ›

How do you build business credit fast? Registering your business and applying for a business credit card can help you start building business credit right away. As your business grows, establish trade lines with your suppliers and make sure to borrow from lenders that report payments to business credit bureaus.

Is it illegal to use personal credit card for business? ›

Just like it's not illegal to use a business card for personal costs, there is no law that says you can't use a personal credit card for your business. Once you have a personal card, be sure to use it appropriately for your business. The rules are simple: Pay on time and keep revolving debt low.

Is it better to build personal credit or business credit? ›

Some lenders and credit card issuers may consider both your personal credit and your business credit, but having a strong business credit score can help you get lower interest rates, higher credit limits and better terms.

Is it better to use business credit card or personal? ›

Business credit cards tend to come with higher credit limits than personal credit cards. A higher limit can provide more flexibility in the face of the steep operating costs small businesses can require. Yet a personal credit card might be best if you don't need a particularly high credit limit.

How much business credit can I get with an 800 credit score? ›

Some may approve a $50K business loan with an 800 credit score. The type of loan and other factors based on each lender's criteria will also be evaluated when you apply.

How much credit can a new business get? ›

A typical business line of credit ranges from $5,000 to $500,000, but the amount a business is approved for varies based on its financial history and creditworthiness.

Can I transfer my personal credit to business credit? ›

The answer is yes, you can. The process is very similar to balance transfers between personal cards.

Can I get a business credit card with a 500 credit score? ›

Yes, you can get a business credit card with a credit score of 500, but you'll be limited to secured cards. The Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is one example of a credit card that you can get with a credit score of 500 or 600.

Can you get a business loan with no personal credit? ›

Can I get a business loan without using my credit score? If you want business financing that doesn't require a personal credit check, you'll need to search for business loans that do not require a personal guarantee. This can be a challenge since many lenders view small businesses as an extension of their owners.

Do business lines of credit require a personal guarantee? ›

Traditionally, most lenders require a personal guarantee when offering a business line of credit. After all, it's one of the simplest ways to provide security if you default on a credit line. But as we'll learn, some lenders don't require a personal guarantee as long as you qualify.

Can you get a business line of credit with no revenue? ›

Frequently Asked Questions. Can you get a startup business loan with no revenue and bad credit? Yes, some lenders offer business loans for bad credit to startups with limited revenue.

What credit score do you need for a business line of credit? ›

Credit score: Your personal FICO Score and business credit report both play a role in determining your creditworthiness. Many lenders require a minimum credit score of 600 (or more) when you apply for a business line of credit, although having a higher score can help you secure a better interest rate.

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