Tillful Review 

Secured Business Credit Card 

Tillful is a fintech company that helped businesses understand their business credit score, find business credit solutions, and previously offered its own secured business credit card.  

The Tillful secured business credit card was the highlight of the business. They reported to one major business credit bureau and helped businesses build credit.  

While the Tillful card may no longer be a viable choice, you have other options.  

You can build business credit today with the support of eCredable.  

Tillful Overview 

Tillful was a financial company in the United States that was dedicated to helping business owners better understand their credit.  

They offered business owners a free Experian credit score check. Aside from credit monitoring, they also helped users learn more about their credit and financial health with their own credit report and scoring systems.  

But arguably the primary highlight of Tillful was its financial services. Tillful offered its own secured credit card. They helped users find other credit cards for financing too.  

The Tillful site is still up, but the company itself has since gone bankrupt. They were purchased by Nav, who offers many of the same services.  

The Tillful card was supposed to be continued by Nav in the form of the Nav Secured Card. However, this was discontinued by Nav soon after.  

What can you use to build business credit rapidly?  

One solution for bad credit or non-existent business credit is eCredable.  

eCredable isn’t a secured business credit card like Tillful.  

Instead, it helps you build credit by reporting business expenses as tradelines.  

The first form of support comes from your subscription. Whether you choose eCredable Business Lift or Business Lift+, each monthly payment is reported as a tradeline to Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax Business, and Experian Business.  

But that’s not all that eCredable offers. Whether you have business utilities, a dedicated business phone line, or other business expenses that aren’t being reported, eCredable will help you report these recurring expenses to Equifax.  

This helps you build business credit and credit history quickly. 

Tillful may no longer be around to help you access funding and build your credit score. But there are plenty of options like eCredable to help you build business credit with ease.  

Tillful Pros 

Reports to One Major Business Credit Bureau 

The first thing to address in this Tillful review is business credit reporting. 

The Tillful secured business credit card was a decent option because it reported to one business credit bureau: Experian.  

This makes sense as they used the Experian Intelliscore (alongside the Tillful score) to tell you about your business credit standing. 

Business credit builder cards are only effective if they offer reporting effectively. Some credit cards may only report to one business credit bureau and one that isn’t considered a top option.  

This won’t help you build your credit score rapidly. 

Tillful did report to one of the top three, which meant that building business credit would have been possible. The only way they could have improved their business credit card was by reporting to the other two: Dun & Bradstreet and Equifax.  

It was rumored that they may have been adding those to their reporting activity later on. However, given that the company has shuttered and Nav has discontinued the card, we’ll never know. 

1.5% Cash Back on All Purchases 

You don’t need to have rewards on a credit card to build your business credit score. However, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a nice bonus that comes with your new financing asset. 

Like most credit cards, the Tillful card did offer cash back. Specifically, they offered 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases. This was a nice bonus alongside their other various services like getting your free business credit score. It gave any small business plenty of support. 

What people might not have known at first glance was that Tillfull offered more than just that though.  

This was a card that offered a 0% APR, which is impressive. There are some fees that were associated with the card, but these were fairly standard.  

These included:  

• A $10 monthly inactivity fee 

• Late payment fees 

• Merchant fees ranging from 1.15% to 2.50% 

• Foreign transaction fees 

Overall, it’s easy to see why Tillful was a popular choice for business owners. Alongside building business credit, there were many benefits associated with the Tillful card.  

But it wasn’t perfect by any means. There were some drawbacks to opening an account that business owners should have considered before applying.  

Tillful Cons 

$500 Security Deposit 

This was a secured credit card.  

No matter what, you should automatically know you’re going to have to pay a security deposit to open a secured credit card.  

It’s not desirable for the average small business. This is especially true when you have other options like corporate cards. They don’t require a deposit at all to tap into funding and build business credit.  

They also don’t require personal information like your personal credit score or personal guarantee, like Tillful. 

Tillful required a $500 minimum security deposit to begin using their card and establish payment history. $500 isn’t a lot. Some secured business credit cards require $1,000 or more.  

But you could build credit without having to deal with all the restrictions as well. You could easily approach tier 1 business credit vendors and get higher limits without any fees or other drawbacks.  

Tillful teaches an important lesson. Even though a credit solution is accessible or popular, you shouldn’t automatically spring for it. There might be alternatives worth considering that could give you the same credit-building benefits and better terms to boost working capital.  

This might include financing solutions offered by a lender, credit services, or something else entirely. 

You should always attempt to build your credit score with the least amount of hassle.  

You Can’t Carry a Balance 

When you think of a credit card, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? If you thought of a small business card you could use and pay back as you see fit, you’d be entirely correct.  

After all, credit utilization can play a role in your credit score and financial health.  

Remember how we said that the Tillful credit builder card came with 0% APR earlier? That comes with a caveat when you apply for this form of funding.  

There’s no APR because of the fact that you’re unable to carry a balance with this card.  

Whatever you spent, you would have to pay back within 30 days.  

At that point, it’s more akin to charge cards and net 30 accounts than traditional business credit cards. That doesn’t mean that it wouldn’t have been a desirable option for some business owners. It’s also not a red flag that indicates it’s a bad financing option. 

However, not being able to carry a balance is a drawback that requires serious consideration.  

Final Thoughts on Tillful 

Tillful was a company that helped business owners learn more about their credit and build it.  

Their secured business credit card made it easy for businesses to improve their business credit score. 

With account benefits like 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases, limited fees, and 0% APR, there was a lot to like about Tillfull. Every purchase was reported to Experian. This was also the bureau they used to provide you with your credit score. 

However, the Tillful credit account did come with some drawbacks. Most notably, you were unable to carry a balance with your card. You had to spend at least $500 to tap into a credit-building tool and funding as well.  

Tillful was a solid choice for those who needed a credit card to help raise their credit score. But today, you have a host of credit-building options at your disposal.  

Build Business Credit With eCredable 

eCredable is dedicated to helping you minimize your expenses and build your credit quickly.  

eCredable’s Business Lift subscription reports payments to multiple business credit bureaus. There is no security deposit, like with a secured business card. And you can get multiple tradelines reported to the business credit bureaus. 

All of this costs significantly less than the minimum security deposit of most secured business credit cards. 

Join eCredable now to begin your business credit journey! 

Nav Review: Is Nav Worth It in 2025? 

Nav’s platform is designed to help small business owners manage their business and personal credit, organize their finances, and secure funding to grow their operations.  

This comprehensive Nav review breaks down its various subscription options to help determine which, if any, is right for you. 

Free Nav Account 

The free Nav account grants you access to the most basic version of the platform’s features, including its credit monitoring services, business checking account, and financial product marketplace. 

Basic Credit Monitoring 

Nav’s free credit monitoring services provide limited access to your business credit data from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), Equifax, and Experian, plus your personal information from Experian and TransUnion. 

After signing up and connecting Nav to each credit bureau, you can see high-level summaries of your credit reports and “credit grades.” These help you estimate your credit score by assigning you a rating between A and F based on your credit history. 

In addition, you’ll receive a notification whenever there are significant changes to your business or personal credit reports, such as new credit inquiries, tradelines, or late monthly payments. 

Otherwise, the information you get is fairly generic, like simple explanations of the factors that affect credit scores. As a result, Nav’s free credit services are best for a quick check of your creditworthiness and basic protection against identity theft. 

Business Checking Account 

Nav’s free account also lets you open a business checking account through Thread Bank. The account isn’t anything special, but it has most of the basic features and benefits you’re likely to want, including: 

• No monthly maintenance fees 

• No minimum balance requirements 

• Free debit card for business purchases 

• $3M in FDIC insurance coverage 

• Up to two subsidiary accounts to help organize activities 

• Free domestic ACH transfers 

• Insights into income, expenses, and balance trends 

• Withdrawals at 55,000 ATMs in the U.S. 

If you don’t already have a bank account for your business, the Nav business checking account is as good an option as any for separating your business and personal finances and setting your company up to build credit. 

Basic Cash Flow Management 

Separate from Nav’s checking account is its cash flow management tool, called Cash Flow Health. At the free tier, it lets you keep track of your account balances and expenses, as well as make simple financial projections to help avoid potential shortfalls. 

It’s essentially a basic form of bookkeeping software that connects to your bank accounts and credit cards to provide a consolidated view of your finances. However, you have to upgrade to a paid plan to access its most useful features. 

Personalized Marketplace Picks 

Nav’s platform includes a marketplace where you can explore and compare various providers of financial products and services, including credit accounts, insurance plans, payroll management, and tax preparation. 

You can access this marketplace without a free account, but sign up for one and Nav will provide personalized recommendations using your business profile and credit data.  

For example, it may suggest a business credit card you’re likely to qualify for based on your time in business, annual revenue, and credit history. 

Nav Prime Tier 1: Monitor Scores 

The first tier of Nav Prime—the platform's paid subscriptions—costs $39.99 per month. Alternatively, you can pay $95.97 quarterly and save 20%, effectively reducing your monthly cost to $31.99. Here’s what you get for upgrading from the free account. 

Detailed Credit Monitoring 

If you’re serious about tracking your business credit, the first Nav Prime tier is probably the lowest you’ll want to consider. It’s a significant upgrade from the free account, which only shows summaries of each credit report and approximations of each credit score. 

When you sign up for Nav Prime, you unlock detailed credit reports and scores from the three major business credit bureaus, plus your full personal credit reports and FICO scores from Experian and TransUnion.  

Nav states it could cost you as much as $300 per month to access all of that information elsewhere. 

You’ll also receive more comprehensive credit monitoring services and additional insights into the credit scoring factors limiting your scores, helping you determine the most efficient path to improvement. 

Nav Prime Tier 2: Boost Credit 

The second Nav Prime tier costs $49.99 per month or $119.97 billed quarterly, which works out to $39.99 per month. Here’s what it has to offer. 

Business Tradeline Reporting 

At the second tier, Nav Prime starts helping you build business credit directly. Subscribing grants you access to two additional tradelines, including one vendor and one financial tradeline. 

The vendor tradeline comes from your subscription to the platform itself. Whether you pay monthly or quarterly, Nav will report your payments to the business credit bureaus, helping you establish a positive payment history. 

The financial tradeline comes from the Nav Prime Card, an easy-approval charge card. There are no revenue, security deposit, or time-in-business requirements, and you don’t have to undergo a personal credit check or sign a personal guarantee. 

Nav simply requires you to connect a bank account, which it’ll use to determine your daily credit limit.  

The more funds and activity in the account, the higher your limit. At the end of each day, Nav automatically deducts your business credit builder card balance from the linked account. 

Nav reports both tradelines to all three major business credit bureaus, including D&B, Experian, and Equifax. If you’re already subscribing to the credit monitoring services, paying a little more per month for the additional tradelines is likely worth it. 

Read our list of the best Tier 1 Business Credit Vendors for more vendor tradeline opportunities to consider. 

Expanded Cash Flow Management 

At the second Nav Prime tier, you also unlock the platform’s full bookkeeping features, making the cash flow management tool more functional.  

In addition to tracking your account balances and expenses, it will automatically categorize all transactions and generate profit and loss statements. 

However, Cash Flow Health isn’t as robust as true accounting software. It doesn’t function as a general ledger and can’t generate other financial statements, such as the balance sheet or cash flow statement. 

Nav Prime Tier 3: Credit Coaching 

At the third and highest tier, Nav Prime membership costs $74.99 per month or $179.97 billed quarterly, which equals $59.99 per month. Here’s what it gets you. 

Dedicated Credit Coach 

Nav Prime’s top subscription tier connects you with one of the platform’s credit-building experts, who will provide you with personalized guidance and support. For example, they may be able to: 

• Refine your long-term credit strategy 

• Review and explain credit reports in detail 

• Identify quick-win opportunities for score improvement 

• Create action plans for addressing negative items 

• Provide guidance on financing applications 

• Offer industry-specific credit building advice 

If you’re unsure how to approach building business credit or are facing a particularly complex situation, working with one of Nav’s coaches may help you avoid potential pitfalls and reach your goals more efficiently. 

FICO SBSS Access 

Nav saves its most unique benefit for last. Its highest tier also grants you access to your FICO Small Business Scoring Service (SBSS) score, which is the credit score a lender must use when screening you for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan. 

Nav is one of the only ways a small business owner can check this credit score. If you’re interested in SBA funding—one of the most favorable types available—knowing your SBSS score can be invaluable, likely making this subscription tier worth it. 

Combine Nav With eCredable for Better Business Credit 

Nav’s platform offers powerful business credit features, especially if you subscribe to one of its paid plans. They can provide unique insights into your business credit and two distinct tradelines at all three major business credit bureaus. 

However, Nav typically won’t be enough to reach your credit goals on its own. To qualify for high-value lines of credit and business loans, you should aim to have multiple, diverse tradelines with long, robust payment histories. 

One of the best ways to flesh out your business credit report is with eCredable. Our Business Lift program lets you report an unlimited number of recurring expenses, such as your internet, TV, and utility bills, to the business credit bureaus as vendor tradelines. 

In addition to your ongoing payments, that includes up to two years of historical activities, which can quickly make significant improvements to your business credit scores. 

In fact, our customers see an average increase of 32 points in their scores at each participating business credit bureau. To top it off, like Nav, we’ll also report your eCredable subscription payment to give you an extra boost. 

Sign up for eCredable today to reach your business credit goals faster. 

7 Best Startup Business Loans Using Only an EIN Number 

Startup founders often need business loans to accomplish their goals, whether that’s to generate working capital or purchase essential equipment. Unfortunately, many loans require a personal credit check, which you may prefer to avoid because you: 

    - Have a bad credit score 

    - Don’t want to take on personal liability 

    - Wish to avoid adding a hard credit inquiry to your personal credit report 

Let’s explore the best startup business loan options you can apply for using only an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to help you get financing without involving your personal credit. 

The Best Startup Business Loans Using Only an EIN Number:

1. Invoice Financing 
2. Merchant Cash Advances 
3. Online Business Loans 
4. Net 30 Accounts 
5. Loans From Family and Friends 
6. Borrow Against Your 401(k) 
7. Gas Cards & EIN-Only Corporate Cards 

1. Invoice Financing 

Unsurprisingly, invoice financing is a type of business funding that involves borrowing against outstanding invoices. Credit checks typically aren't involved in the process, personal or otherwise.  

As long as you’re a small business with valid invoices, you can qualify for this business loan.  

Though invoice financing arrangements vary in structure between creditors, here’s how they usually work:  

Your small business provides a product or service for a customer and sends them an invoice. However, the customer has a substantial amount of time to pay off their balance because you’ve granted them net 30 or other extended repayment terms.  

Unfortunately, that means you won’t get paid for your product or services for weeks, if not months. That can be detrimental to your company’s cash flow, especially if you incur material or labor costs too.  

Instead of waiting to get paid, you can bring your outstanding invoices to an invoice financing lender. They’ll give you a business loan for a significant percentage of the invoice value.   

When your customer pays you off their invoice, you use the funds to pay off your principal balance plus a financing fee. 

Though terms vary with this financing option, you can usually expect to receive a loan for 70% to 100% of your outstanding invoices and pay a fee between 0.5% and 5% of their value.   

For example, Clarify Capital offers 100% of the invoice value and charges 0.5% per month for the loan’s outstanding balance.  

2. Merchant Cash Advances 

Merchant cash advances are one of the easiest business loans to qualify for, at least in terms of credit requirements.   

Lenders primarily care about your revenue and time in business and are often willing to overlook a bad business credit score if they check it at all.  

Like traditional installment loans, merchant cash advances provide a lump sum upfront.  

However, instead of paying off the balance in monthly installments as you would with a traditional loan that’s deducted from your business bank account, you have to agree to automatic daily or weekly deductions from your credit and debit card sales.  

These advances tend to pay out quickly, but they’re also more expensive than other business financing options. As a result, business owners should generally only use them as a funding option when they have no alternative.  

Merchant cash advance financing costs are based on a factor rate that ranges from 1.1 to 1.5. You multiply your factor rate by your advance amount to get the total amount you owe.  

For example, MCashAdvance offers merchant cash advances to any small business that meets the following requirements:  

• At least six months in business  
• Monthly credit card sales of at least $7,500  
• Minimum FICO credit score of 550 (soft pull only)  

If you qualify, you could borrow between $5K and $900K with a loan term of up to 18 months. Factor rates range from 1.1 to 1.5, and funding times are between one and three days.  

If you borrowed $50K from them at a 1.35 factor rate, you’d have to repay $67.5K.  

3. Online Business Loans 

Traditional financial institutions have the most rigorous underwriting requirements, often requiring you to have a strong personal credit history, business credit, and financials.   

If you’re a new small business owner, you probably won’t be able to qualify for this type of small business loan.  

Fortunately, small business loans from online lenders are more accessible and provide many of the same benefits to startups.   

They’re more expensive and have shorter repayment terms, but they still offer relatively affordable long-term financing, and you can often qualify without good personal credit.  

For example, the minimum personal credit score for a small business loan from OnDeck, a popular online lender, is just 625.   

However, its loans have an average interest rate of 55.8% APR and give you no more than 24 months to pay back what you owe.  

In contrast, Bank of America, a traditional lender, offers interest rates as low as 7.5% APR, and your unsecured business loan can remain outstanding for as long as 60 months.  

However, your personal credit score must be at least 700 to qualify for this small business loan. 

4. Net 30 Accounts 

Unlike a traditional business loan, a net 30 account is a vendor business line, which means it’s a credit account from a company that doesn’t specialize in issuing credit to small business owners.  

For example, you might get this type of business line from an office supply company.  

Unfortunately, only the issuing vendor will accept payment through them. You can’t use a net 30 to buy from other companies like you would with a business credit card, corporate card, startup loan, or business line of credit.  

Net 30 accounts are named for the amount of interest-free financing they provide. They grant you 30 days to pay off your balance before interest accrues, which can help your cash flow and are perfect for raising business credit scores.  

Fortunately, many net 30 accounts don’t check personal finance. If you have a sufficient business credit history, you should be able to qualify with your Employer Identification Number only.   

For example, you can get a net 30 account from Creative Analytics with no personal guarantee or credit check. 

If you’re interested in this type of business loan, check out our list of net 30 accounts for some of our favorite options.  

5. Loans From Family and Friends 

Borrowing from your personal network is one of the best ways to finance your startup without using personal credit or undergoing a hard credit check. Your family and friends are often more inclined to lend to you than a professional creditor.  

Of course, the viability of this option depends on who you know, their perceptions of you, and the strength of your relationships. However, getting a personal loan from people who care about you is well worth pursuing if you can swing it.  

Not only can you secure the funds you need more easily than you would otherwise, but you can also get better terms than you would from lenders like banks and credit unions.  

After all, it should be much easier to negotiate things like interest rates, repayment terms, and monthly payment amounts.  

Whatever agreement you come to, make sure to get everything in writing. Mixing business and personal affairs can be risky, but conducting everything as professionally as possible should help preserve your relationships.  

To keep things organized and professional, set up a separate business bank account to efficiently manage transactions and repayments. 

6. Borrow Against Your 401(k) 

You might think of your 401(k) as a resource you can’t touch until retirement, but that’s not necessarily true. Yes, taking withdrawals before you're 59½ is expensive and generally inadvisable, but borrowing against it works differently.  

Early withdrawals from your 401(k) trigger an immediate 10% penalty. In addition, you have to pay ordinary income taxes on the amount.   

However, taking out a 401(k) loan doesn’t cause you to incur either expense. Usually, you need only pay back what you withdrew plus interest within five years.  

Because you’re borrowing from yourself and not a lender, there’s no need to undergo a credit check. In addition, defaulting on your account won’t affect your credit since there’s no creditor to report your activities to a credit bureau.  

All that said, 401(k) loans are risky. If you can’t pay what you owe on time, the Internal Revenue Service may reclassify your loan as an early withdrawal. If so, you’d be on the hook for ordinary income taxes and the 10% penalty.  

Not to mention, you’d miss out on the tax-free dividends and appreciation you would have earned on your money if you’d left it invested in your 401(k). When it’s time to retire, you may have much less to support yourself than you would have otherwise.  

7. Gas Cards & EIN-Only Corporate Cards 

Typically, business credit card issuers require your Social Security Number (SSN) when you apply. They like to check your personal credit score, which makes it hard to get most business credit cards with your EIN only.  

However, gas cards and corporate cards are an exception. They’re designed for larger organizations, and you can often qualify for them without supplying your SSN if you’ve established your business as a separate entity.  

Just note that some companies require you to link to your company bank account for automatic payments.  

Gas cards, also known as fleet cards, provide discounts at certain gas stations and software to help you manage a team of drivers.   

For example, AtoB cardholders save 42¢ per gallon on average at stations like Petro or Speedway and can use its Driver Pay features to streamline payroll to their fleet.  

Meanwhile, corporate cards are ideal for large corporations with many employees and significant annual revenue. They let you issue subsidiary credit cards to your workers, which you can use to track and limit their spending.   

In addition, they usually provide a small amount of cash back on general, day-to-day purchases.  

For example, Ramp comes with enhanced accounting functions like automatic expense categorization. It also lets you and your employee cardholders earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.  

You can apply for both AtoB’s and Ramp’s credit cards with your Employer Identification Number only. Check out our list of tier 2 business credit vendors for other great options. 

Two Types of Financing That Are NOT Good for Startups Only Using an EIN  

We wanted to include these on the list because of common misconceptions. These two types of financing require new startups to have their personal credit checked. 

1. Business Credit Cards  

Business credit cards are excellent tools, and all business owners should have one in their back pocket. They can help you separate your business transactions, earn cash-back rewards, and get a month of interest-free financing on day-to-day spending.  

Additionally, business credit cards tend to have much higher credit limits than personal credit cards, so you can often use them to cover all your monthly expenses. Their flexibility makes them an invaluable form of business financing.  

Not to mention, they can help increase your business credit score when used responsibly.  

Unfortunately, as we mentioned in the previous section, business card issuers typically require you to give them your SSN. Few let you apply with your EIN only, especially if you’re a new startup founder without much business credit history.  

If you want to keep your personal and business credit separate or avoid undergoing personal credit checks, wait to apply for business credit cards until you’ve established business credit through other means.  

For example, you should have an easier time getting business credit cards using your EIN only once you’ve built a positive payment history with over a dozen vendor tradelines.  

2. SBA Loans  

The Small Business Administration (SBA) generally doesn’t provide financing directly, but it does guarantee business loans for certain lenders. If you default on those accounts, the SBA still pays the lender a significant portion of the principal balance.  

Because this type of business loan is less risky for the lender than other types of business funding, these SBA loans provide some of the best terms available. They often have the lowest interest rates, highest borrowing limits, and lengthiest repayment terms.  

For example, you can qualify for as much as $5 million through the SBA’s 7(a) term loan program.   

Your interest rate will be no more than the prime rate plus 3% to 6.5%, depending on how much you borrow, and you can have up to 25 years to pay off your loan.  

Unfortunately, you generally can’t apply for an SBA loan with an EIN number only.  

The SBA’s eligibility requirements include having a good personal credit score, so you must provide your SSN and have your personal credit checked to apply for this type of business loan. 

How eCredable Can Help You Build Business Credit  

To qualify for startup business loans using an EIN number, you must have an established business credit profile.  

Otherwise, lenders will almost always require that you provide your SSN and check your personal credit on a loan application to assess your creditworthiness.  

While building your business credit score is usually a slog, eCredable can help you fast-track the process and save money! Instead of spending your precious time and capital applying for dozens of net 30 accounts, sign up for our Business Lift program.  

We can report an unlimited number of your existing expenses to the business credit bureaus, automatically transforming them into vendor tradelines. In addition to your ongoing payments, that includes up to 24 months of payment history!  

As a result, you can build years of business credit history overnight without undergoing a personal credit check or taking on additional debt payments. All you’ll need to pay for is our $19.95 monthly subscription, which will also appear in your credit report!  

Sign up for eCredable today and take the shortcut to good business credit! 

How Long Does it Take to Build Business Credit?  

While building a robust business credit report can take as long as three years, most new companies can achieve a top-tier business credit score in 12 months.    

If you’re interested in learning more about building business credit fast, read on.    

How Fast Can I Build Business Credit?  

Establishing business credit depends on numerous factors, and no set amount of time applies to every business across the board.   

That said, if you do everything right, follow best practices, practice proper credit utilization, and stick to responsible business financial management, you should become relatively creditworthy in a year.   

Note that your business credit profile will still likely be thin for many lenders, and most will want to see a longer payment history or larger credit limits before deeming you eligible for large business loans.  

But you should be able to reach a point where your business credit profile allows you to qualify for adequate financing to gain momentum.   

As we just mentioned, it often takes as long as three years to build serious business credit where you’re eligible for high credit limit loans and can get perks like low interest, minimal fees, and no personal guarantee.   

But one year is a reasonable time frame to achieve a high enough business credit score to be eligible for certain small business loans and business credit lines.   

Therefore, if you’re a new small business owner just getting established, you’ll need to have patience and set realistic expectations about building your credit history.   

You’ll also need to follow the fundamentals of business credit building, which we’ll discuss later.   

Other Business Financing Factors  

One of the biggest factors lenders look at is how long you’ve been in business.   

A typical lender will want you to have been around for at least two years before offering a small business loan.   

Another factor is company revenue.   

“The bare minimum annual revenue for funding from a traditional lender, like a bank, is $100,000, though most lenders set higher requirements,” Bankrate explains.   

That said, Bankrate notes that alternative lender options are also available that may offer financing to businesses with annual revenue as low as $33,000.   

Next, there are company assets, such as real estate, property, equipment, inventory, and outstanding invoices. These can all serve as collateral to secure a business loan and give a lender security in case of default.   

Finally, there’s your industry code, which identifies what type of business you operate and the sector you’re in.   

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), for instance, uses 5 or 6-digit codes that let lenders quickly assess risk levels.  

Businesses in online retail or consulting would be examples of low-risk industries because they’re not as prone to economic volatility or intense regulations.  

Those in firearms or online gambling would be examples of high-risk industries because of ever-changing regulations.  

Set Business Credit Goals  

A critical precursor for reaching a strong business credit profile is having clear goals of what you want to achieve.   

This often starts by figuring out what type of financing you want for your business expenses.   

A business credit card, for example, is usually easier to get than a bank credit line.  

So, if you’re a new business owner, you may want to focus primarily on generating cash flow through a credit card during the initial stages of building business credit and using smart credit utilization.   

Then, as your business matures over time and you reach a higher business credit score, you could move on to trying to secure a bank business line or an SBA loan.   

As long as you’ve practiced responsible financial management and have a good credit score, you’ll also likely qualify for a credit card with better terms.   

Besides that, you’ll want to thoroughly research the guidelines for each type of loan so you know what the eligibility requirements are, the terms and conditions, the application process, and so on.  

Also, create a realistic timeline for reaching your business credit goals.   

Be sure to consider how long it takes to build enough credit to become eligible, know what specific actions are required to obtain funding, and what variables may affect your timeline.   

This should put you on a positive trajectory for establishing a positive business credit history.     

How to Speed Up Business Credit Building   

There are four main ways to achieve a good business credit score quickly while also avoiding bad credit pitfalls.   

Apply for Lots of Business Credit Vendors  

One of the quickest ways to build business credit is to get financing from vendors that report to major business credit bureaus like Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax or a members-only credit reporting agency like the Small Business Financial Exchange.   

Like succeeding in many areas of business, it’s a bit of a numbers game.   

The more business credit vendors you apply to, the more likely you are to get funding to cover each major business expense and the quicker you can build business credit.   

Note that you’ll ideally want to focus on vendors with shorter terms like net-30, as they tend to report to credit bureaus quicker than those with longer net terms like net-60 or 90.   

Make Payments Early   

Just like payment history plays a huge role in determining your personal credit, the same is true with your business credit profile.   

After all, one of the main things business credit reporting agencies look at when assigning a business credit score is payment history.   

At the bare minimum, you’ll always want to make a timely payment to each lender for a credit card, loan, revolving credit, or any other type of business finance.   

However, going one step further and making payments early is even better.   

In fact, Dun & Bradstreet only gives perfect scores to companies that pay early.   

Leverage Your Personal Credit   

Although your personal credit score is different from your business score and can’t be used to determine eligibility for all types of business funding, many lenders will look at it.   

“This is especially true for sole proprietors or new businesses that haven’t established business credit,” writes Bankrate.   

If, for instance, you have a solid personal score, you may be able to leverage it to qualify for a business credit card that reports to business credit bureaus.  

To quantify, a personal credit score of 680 or higher should usually be sufficient. And if you have a score of 740 or higher, you can likely get favorable terms on a credit card or business credit line.   

If you have a poor personal credit report, you’ll want to work on improving it because, in addition to enhancing your personal credit history, it can also help open doors for your business and put you on your way to achieving solid business credit.   

Use eCredable’s Past Payment Reporting Feature  

Finally, you can use a tool like eCredable Business Lift to report business utility and telecom payments to accelerate your business credit growth.   

Once you sign up, we’ll automatically attempt to download up to 24 months of your payment history to service providers and will report it to Equifax.  

The Business Lift subscription payment is reported to Equifax, plus Dun and Bradstreet and Experian.  

In turn, this can quickly boost your business credit scores as long as you’ve made your payments on time or early.   

Other Business Credit Tips  

Beyond that, you can improve your business credit history by doing the following:  

Make sure you’ve established your business as a separate legal entity and choose a legal structure (LLC, partnership, corporation, etc.)  

Get your EIN and DUNS Number to uniquely identify your business  

Open a business bank account (not only does a business bank account make you look more professional, but it’s also required by many lenders)  

Apply for a business credit card (a business credit card helps build business credit and makes it easier during tax time)  

Apply for trade credit from a vendor that reports to at least one major credit agency  

Also, be sure to monitor your business credit history to ensure the information is accurate. If you happen to find an error, you’ll want to dispute it right away, as failing to do so could potentially hurt your business credit score.   

This can be done by simply checking your business credit profile via a business bureau like Dun & Bradstreet or Equifax (similar to how you would check your personal credit score with Credit Karma).  

FAQs  

Does Business Credit Start at 0?  

The range of business credit scores can vary depending on the particular credit bureau.  

But, yes, many business credit scores like the Dun & Bradstreet PAYDEX Score and Equifax’s Payment Index Score start at 0 and go up to 100.   

If your business is just starting out and you haven’t yet established credit, you’ll likely have a low credit score or no credit score at all.   

However, once you initiate some basic credit building and have practiced proper credit utilization, your credit history should gradually improve.   

Can You Get Business Credit Right Away?  

While it takes about 12 months to build solid business credit and as many as three years to build a comprehensive credit profile, you can start building at least some business credit within the first six months.   

This is done by taking care of the fundamentals like choosing a business structure, registering your business, getting an EIN and DUNS Number, opening a business bank account, and applying for a business credit card.   

How Long Does it Take to Report Business Credit?  

It typically takes at least 30 days to report business credit. 

However, that’s the minimum, and in many cases, a credit card or business line will take closer to 60 or 90 days.   

At that point, your payment history should appear on your business credit profile, and you can officially start building credit.  

What is a Good Business Credit Score?  

First, be aware that a personal finance credit score range is a lot different from a business credit score range.  

Personal credit scores typically range from 300 to 850, while business credit scores usually range from 0 to 100.  

In general, a score of 80 on Dun & Bradstreet’s PAYDEX Score, Equifax’s Payment Index, and Experian’s Business Credit Score — all of which range from 0 to 100 — is considered good.  

This indicates a low credit risk, which means you stand a reasonable chance of being approved for a loan or credit account by many business lenders to fund your business.  

Learn More About Building Business Credit: 
- Low Risk Industries for Business Credit  
- How To Build Business Credit Without Using Personal Credit  
- Can You Buy a House with Business Credit?  
- How to Build Business Credit With Bad Personal Credit  

Home Depot Net 30 Review  

Vendor tradelines like net 30 accounts are an effective way for small businesses to build credit. They’re easier to qualify for than financial tradelines like a business loan or credit card and don’t require you to take on fixed debt payments.  

However, not all vendor tradelines are right for every business. This net 30 vendor review will help you determine whether it makes sense to apply in your circumstances.  

Our Home Depot Net 30 Review  

This net 30 account, also known as the Home Depot commercial account, is an excellent option if you qualify. It reports to all three major business credit bureaus and charges no mandatory fees.  

In addition, you’ll receive a 2% discount for paying within the first 20 days of your credit term. New businesses may struggle to meet the eligibility criteria, but they can improve their chances of approval by signing a personal guarantee.  

If you’re interested in applying, here are the primary factors you should consider:  

       -  Reports to All Major Credit Bureaus 

       -  Helps Buy Home Improvement Products 

       -   Pay Discount and No Mandatory Fees 

On a side note, we appreciate that this vendor complies with the California Supply Chain Act to ensure corporate responsibility when sourcing supplies, meaning nothing comes from forced, prison, or human trafficked labor. 

Reports to All Major Credit Bureaus  

To build a trade credit foundation, you should aim to have multiple vendor tradelines on each business credit report. As a result, it’s best to pursue accounts that report to more than one bureau at a time.  

Fortunately, Home Depot Inc reports to each major business credit bureau, which includes Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), Equifax Business, and Experian Business. That makes it an invaluable addition to your credit mix.  

The business account generally won’t show up on your personal credit reports with Equifax or Experian. However, that could change if you sign a personal guarantee and pay late or default on the account.  

Helps Buy Home Improvement Products  

Another critical factor to consider before applying for a net 30 vendor’s tradeline is what they sell. Since you must use a credit line to build credit with it, and you can only use a vendor’s account at their store, you should target those offering something you want.  

Otherwise, you’ll potentially spend a significant amount of money on unnecessary goods or services. Fortunately, this store sells home improvement tools, supplies, and equipment, so you can probably find something useful in its catalog.  

For example, that includes cleaning supplies like paper towels, appliances like refrigerators, and building materials like wood planks. Whether you’re in the construction business, serving government customers, or working from a regular office space, there's something for you.  

And with convenient delivery throughout the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, Australia, and the UK, you can get the supplies you need while paying standard carrier rates.  

Here’s a list of helpful links: 

• The full store directory where you can shop all products 

• Store locator for local store prices and inventory levels 

• Corporate information 

• Corporate governance information 

• Selected sales data 

• Annual report list 

• 2024 Q3 comparable sales and cash equivalents data 

• Rebate center 

• Preference center 

• Digital Newsroom 

• List of The Home Depot partners 

• The Home Depot licensing information 

• The Home Depot Foundation 

• Gift card information 

Early Pay Discount and No Mandatory Fees  

Net 30 accounts often charge application fees and recurring membership costs on top of what you pay to purchase goods or services when boosting cash flow. However, like HD Supply, this vendor doesn’t charge anything for its commercial net 30 account. It doesn’t even accrue interest.  

In fact, Home Depot stores reward commercial account cardholders with a 2% discount on each invoice if you pay your outstanding balance within 20 days. However, you may incur a flat fee each time you pay after the due date.  

Note that these credit services typically provide net 30 terms, but some qualified borrowers may be eligible for net 60 payment terms if they meet the necessary criteria.  

How To Qualify for a Home Depot Vendor Account  

To apply for an account, visit the company’s online credit center, and submit a digital application. Be careful not to select their personal or business credit cards — the Home Depot credit card and the Pro Xtra Credit Card. The latter is its commercial revolving charge card.  

Once you're in the right place, you’ll need to provide the following information about your business:  

       -  Legal business name, address, and phone number  

       -  Billing contact name, email address, and phone number    

       -  Legal business structure, such as corporation or partnership  

       -  Net sales, annual net earnings, number of employees, and time in business  

Next, you’ll need to share some personal information. In addition to basic contact details, you have to provide your Social Security Number and annual net cash. You should also have a chance to set up an additional authorized buyer.  

Finally, you must decide to apply with or without a personal guarantee. While technically optional, this retailer recommends that you do so if you’re a new small business owner. You may not qualify without it if you meet any of the following requirements:  

       -  Employ fewer than 10 employees  

       -  Do business as a sole proprietorship or partnership  

       -  Have been incorporated for less than three years  

       -  File as a corporation but have less than $2M in annual revenue  

Many net 30 accounts require a personal guarantee, so signing one isn’t the end of the world. Just know that this supplier can pursue your personal assets and earnings if you default on the account.  

Once you submit your application, they’ll check your business credit score. If you're approved, you'll receive an account with a credit limit of at least $1,000.  

For assistance, visit the customer service center. 

Use eCredable to Build Business Credit  

Opening a bunch of net 30 accounts is the traditional strategy business owners use to establish a foundation for their business credit scores. However, it’s not necessarily the most efficient way of doing things.  

Not only do you have to make regular purchases you might not need, but you’ll also incur fees to access certain accounts. In addition, you’ll probably encounter rejection letters once you start applying for tradelines with net 60 vendors and net 90 vendors.  

As a result, building business credit using the traditional method takes a surprising amount of time, effort, and money. Fortunately, eCredable can offer a much more efficient way to build business credit.  

With our Business Lift program, you can transform an unlimited number of recurring expenses into vendor tradelines for just $19.95 per month! We’ll report them all to Equifax Business.  

In addition to your ongoing activities, that includes up to 24 months of payment history for each account. That means you can immediately establish years of credit history, one of the only ways to boost your scores overnight.  

To top things off, we’ll also report your monthly eCredable subscription payment to all three major business credit bureaus. Our analysis indicates that it should raise your scores by 40% on average in just three months!  

Sign up for eCredable today to start building your credit in the most efficient way!  

 

Which Business Credit Cards Report to Dun & Bradstreet? 

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) is arguably the most famous of the business credit bureaus. Not only is it the most well-established, but it’s also the only one to deal exclusively in business credit and is responsible for issuing the widely used DUNS numbers. 

As a result, when building business credit, it’s often wise to select business credit cards that report to Dun Bradstreet. Here are the card issuers that share data with them and some specific account recommendations to consider. 

Which Business Credit Issuers Report to Which Business Credit Bureaus? 

Credit Card Issuer Dun & Bradstreet Equifax Experian SBFE American Express Yes* No No Yes Bank of America No No  No Yes Capital One Yes Yes Yes Yes Chase Yes Yes Yes Yes Citi Yes Yes Yes Yes Discover Yes Yes Yes No U.S. Bank Yes No No Yes Wells Fargo Yes No No Yes *Only negative activity. As you can see, there is significant variation between the business credit bureaus that the major credit card issuers report to. Most of them share data with D&B, but only a few report to the rest of the major bureaus too.

If you’re not familiar with the SBFE (Small Business Financial Exchange), this is a “members only” business credit bureau that only tracks financial accounts that are reported by members.  

This information is only accessible by authorized vendors that include D&B, Equifax, Experian,and LexisNexis Risk Solutions. These companies use the data from the SBFE combined with their own data to create credit reports and credit scores used by lenders when considering small business applications for various types of credit.  

You cannot see your SBFE report, but rest assured it’s being used by almost all major business credit card issuers when evaluating your creditworthiness.    

With that in mind, let’s look at some business credit card options that are likely to be the most effective at building business credit and generating cash-back rewards. 

Which Business Credit Cards Do NOT Report to the Personal Credit Bureaus? 

Choosing a credit card issuer that reports to your desired business credit bureau is essential. You can’t build credit with it otherwise. However, it’s also wise to choose one that won’t report your activities to the personal credit bureaus. 

That helps insulate your personal credit from the financial volatility of being a business owner, which can be significant. Above, you’ll see a list of the major card issuers and their policies on reporting business activities to the personal credit bureaus. 

When selecting a credit card, focus on those that report to your target business credit bureau but won’t show up on your personal credit report. For example, U.S. Bank lets you build business credit with D&B without risking your personal credit score. 

Business Credit Cards that Report to the Personal Credit Bureaus 

Capital One 

Capital One is one of the few business credit card issuers that reports to all three major business credit bureaus and the Small Business Financial Exchange (SBFE).  

If you’re going to be using credit cards to build business credit, you should strongly consider getting one of theirs. 

Fortunately, Capital One has many different business credit cards for you to choose from. Most of them require an excellent personal credit score, which Capital One defines as meeting the following requirements: 

• No loan defaults or declarations of bankruptcy 

• Not be 60 days late on a credit card, medical bill, or loan in the last year 

• Have a loan or credit card for three years with a credit limit above $5,000 

Meeting these requirements doesn’t guarantee you can qualify for their business credit cards, but you should have a reasonable chance of obtaining an account. 

If you have an excellent credit score, consider their Spark 1.5% Cash Select. It offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases without restriction, plus 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 

In addition, you can earn a one-time $500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 within the first three months after opening your account. To top it off, there’s no annual fee. 

If you’re less confident in your personal credit history, try the Spark 1% Classic. It offers 1% cash back and 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One with no annual fee. 

However, it only requires fair credit, which Capital One defines as having defaulted on a loan in the past five years or having a limited credit history of less than three years. 

Chase 

Chase is another credit card issuer that reports to Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, Equifax, and the SBFE. Since it also has one of the best selections of business credit card accounts on the market, it’s a top-tier option for building business credit. 

Once again, you’ll need good to excellent personal credit to qualify for most of its accounts. It doesn’t specify what that means, but if your credit score is at least in the mid-700s, you should have a reasonable chance of securing an account. 

In that case, the Ink Business Cash Credit Card is one of your best options. It offers 5% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend each year on certain business expenses, including office supply stores, internet, cable, and phone services. 

In addition, you can get 2% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend at gas stations and restaurants each year. All other purchases are subject to unlimited 1% cash back. 

The introductory offer is also attractive. If you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after opening your account, you can earn a $750 cash bonus. 

In addition, your purchases won’t accrue interest for your first 12 months with the card, which makes it an excellent option for businesses that may struggle to pay off their balances in full for the first few months. There’s also no annual fee. 

Just make sure not to let yourself carry a balance after the 0% introductory period ends because your interest rate will jump back up to the typical credit card level at that point, which is expensive. 

Citi 

Citi is the last credit card issuer on this list that reports to D&B, the rest of the major credit bureaus, and the SBFE. Unfortunately, it has a much less diverse selection of business credit cards.  

In fact, only two accounts are currently available, and one of them is the Costco Anywhere Visa, designed exclusively for Costco members. It offers the following cash-back reward rates for no annual fee other than your Costco membership: 

• 4% on the first $7,000 you spend on gas and 1% afterward 

• 3% on restaurant and travel purchases 

• 2% on other purchases from Costco and Costco.com 

• 1% on all other purchases 

Since that’s a relatively niche use case, the most widely rewarding account is likely the CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard, especially if you have to travel frequently for your business. 

This account offers 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after you spend $4,000 within the first four months of your account opening. You’ll also earn two AAdvantage miles for every dollar you spend in business categories, such as: 

• Telecommunications merchants 

• Cable and satellite providers 

• Car rental merchants and gas stations 

You’ll also receive two miles for every dollar you spend on American Airlines purchases, plus one mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. There’s a $99 annual fee, but it’s waived for the first 12 months. 

Discover 

Discover doesn’t report to the SBFE, but it shares your business credit history data with all three major business credit bureaus, including D&B. After Capital One, Chase, and Citi, its accounts are the most effective at building business credit. 

Unfortunately, Discover business credit cards are no longer available to new applicants in 2023. However, the credit card issuer used to offer them and may choose to do so again one day. 

Just for reference, their previous flagship business credit card was called the Discover it Business Card. It provided 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus an automatic match for the rewards you earn in the first 12 billing periods. 

That effectively gave account holders 3% cash back on all their purchases in the first year. In addition, it had a 12-month introductory period during which you wouldn’t accrue interest on any of your purchases. 

As a result, it was an attractive option for a small business owner with high startup costs, especially since it had no category restrictions. If you’re interested in a similar card, it’s worth checking every so often to see if Discover has opened them up again. 

U.S. Bank 

U.S. Bank doesn’t report to Equifax or Experian, so it can’t compete with Capital One, Chase, or Citi for building business credit. However, it does report to D&B and the SBFE, so it’s still worth considering, especially if you like its account rewards. 

Currently, U.S. Bank has three credit cards vying for the top spot. Each of them has something valuable to offer, and which one you prefer will depend primarily on your spending categories and your preference for points or cash back. 

First, there’s the Business Leverage Visa Signature Card, which offers $750 in cash after you spend $7,500 in purchases within the first 120 days of opening your account. It also provides 2% back in your top two spending categories. 

Second, there’s the Triple Cash Rewards Visa Business Card. It only offers a $500 bonus upon signing up, but you only need to spend $4,500 within 150 days to secure it. 

In addition, it offers 3% back on purchases at gas stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants, plus a $100 annual statement credit for software service purchases like Quickbooks. 

Finally, there’s the Business Altitude Connect World Elite Mastercard.  

Instead of a cash-back bonus, it offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 with the card in the first 180 days after opening your account. It also provides the following point rewards: 

• 5x points on hotels and car rentals through the U.S. Bank reward center 

• 4x points on up to $150,000 or airfare, hotels, and gas purchases 

• 2x points on dining, takeout, restaurant delivery, and cell phone services 

• 1x points for all other purchases 

The Triple Cash card has no annual fee, while Leverage and Altitude cost $95 per year. However, they both waive the fee for the first 12 months. 

Wells Fargo 

Like U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo reports to D&B and the SBFE but not Equifax or Experian. As a result, its business credit cards probably shouldn’t be your first choice, but they can still be viable if the other options aren’t a good fit for whatever reason. 

Unfortunately, like Discover, Wells Fargo isn’t offering business credit cards to new applicants in 2023. However, it’s previously provided several small business credit card accounts and its website promises that new card offers will be available in the coming months. 

To give you an idea of what you can expect from the card issuer, its catalog previously included the Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card, which had the following benefits: 

• 0% interest on all purchases for the first nine months 

• $300 cash back or 30,000 points for spending $3,000 in the first three months 

• 1.5% cash back on purchases or 1 point per dollar plus a 1,000-point bonus each time you spend at least $1,000 in a month 

If you’re interested in a card like this, check back in with Wells Fargo regularly over the next few months to see if an offer is available. 

How Does Dun & Bradstreet Calculate Your Credit Score? 

Dun & Bradstreet is, first and foremost, a business credit bureau, which means its core function is to consolidate information about your credit history into a comprehensive business credit report. 

When you apply for a tradeline that requires a business credit check, business lenders pull your credit report and run its data through their preferred credit scoring algorithm. That calculates your credit score and informs their decision to offer you a credit account. 

While consumer credit bureaus only ever operate in this capacity, business credit bureaus are also responsible for issuing credit scoring algorithms.  

In fact, D&B has several credit rating variations, including the D&B Failure Score, the D&B Delinquency Predictor Score (DPS), and the D&B Supplier Evaluation Risk (SER) Rating. 

However, its most popular scoring product is its PAYDEX Score, which works a lot like a FICO rating. It reflects a business’s payment performance over the last two years and ranges from 1 to 100. Paying on time or early is the only way to increase it. 

eCredable Also Reports to Duns & Bradstreet 

Business credit cards that report to Dun & Bradstreet are great tools for establishing a credit history with the credit reporting agency, but they’re not the only ones. eCredable also shares data with D&B, and our program is available to everyone. 

If you have ongoing business expenses, such as an office lease or a mobile phone subscription, the eCredable Business Lift program can transform them into tradelines and help you build business credit. 

For $9.95 per month, we can report your ongoing expense payments to Equifax Business and Creditsafe. If you have a substantial payment history, we can also report up to 24 months of previous payments to jumpstart your business credit overnight. 

To top it off, we’ll also report your monthly eCredable subscription payments to all four business credit bureaus: D&B, Experian Business, Equifax Business, and Creditsafe. Give it a try today and start building business credit with the expenses you already pay! 

Tips for Building Business Credit 

Opening a business credit card is an important step toward improving your business credit scores. It qualifies as a financial tradeline, which is generally better for building credit than a vendor credit tradeline, such as a net 60 account with a supplier. 

However, building business credit is a long-term project, and a single business credit card probably won’t be enough to get you where you want to be. Here are some other tips to help you improve your business credit rating: 

• Separate your personal and business identity: This helps establish your business’s credit profile and reduces the need for a personal guarantee when applying for credit. Take steps like requesting an Employer Identification Number (EIN), opening a business bank account, and establishing a separate legal entity.

• Open a diverse set of vendor and financial tradelines: You must have multiple business credit accounts in good standing. Start with trade credit from various vendors and work up to financial tradelines.

• Make timely payments and keep revolving balances low: Having credit accounts is only the first step to good business credit, as you must also use them responsibly. That means managing your cash flow well enough to make monthly payments on time and keep your credit utilization below 30% of your credit limit.

Generally, you can expect it to take up to a few years to build a good business credit score. Start opening tradelines and establishing your credit history as soon as possible so it’s ready when you need business financing. 

Learn More About How Business Credit Cards Affect Business Credit: 

- Which Business Credit Cards Do Not Report Personal Credit?

- Do Business Credit Cards Affect Personal Credit? 

- What Is a Business Credit Builder Card?

- Does Bank of America Business Card Report to Personal Credit? 

- Does PNC Business Credit Card Report to Personal Credit? 

- Does US Bank Business Card Report to Personal Credit?  

Does US Bank Business Card Report to Personal Credit? 

US Bank is one of the few business credit card issuers that doesn’t report to the personal credit bureaus under any circumstances. Neither positive nor negative activities from its business accounts should appear in your personal credit report. 

In other words, making late payments or defaulting on a US Bank business card won’t damage your personal credit score, making it an attractive option for small business owners who want to build business credit while minimizing their risks. 

For example, if there’s a chance you might make late business credit card payments due to inconsistent cash flows, using a US Bank business card could be an effective way to limit the potential damage. 

Fortunately, US Bank does report its business cards to Dun & Bradstreet (D&B)—arguably the most popular major business credit bureau—and the Small Business Financial Exchange (SBFE). 

As a result, it can be an effective tool for improving your D&B credit report and business credit score while preserving your personal credit.  

However, you may need other credit cards to build business credit with Equifax Business and Experian Business, the other two major business credit bureaus. 

Which Other Cards Report to the Personal Credit Bureaus? 

Every business credit card issuer has its own credit reporting policies, but most choose not to share positive activity with any personal credit bureau. Currently, Discover and Capital One are the only notable exceptions. 

Discover isn’t issuing business accounts as of the time of writing, but you can learn about Capital One’s reporting practices in our article, Does the Capital One Business Credit Card Report to Personal Credit? 

Meanwhile, many more issuers report negative business card activity—like missed monthly payments, high credit utilization, and defaults—to the personal credit bureaus.  

Doing so is another way of encouraging cardholders to use their cards responsibly and repay their debts, so it has a more tangible benefit for them. 

For example, some companies that report negative activity to the consumer credit bureaus but not positive activity include American Express (Amex) and Chase.  

If you're trying to find the best credit card for your circumstances, learn more about them in our articles on each credit card issuer: 

• Does the Amex Business Credit Card Report to Personal Credit? 

• Does the Chase Business Credit Card Report to Personal Credit? 

If you’re interested in the personal and business credit reporting policies of other major credit card account issuers, visit our article for a summary: Which Business Credit Cards Do Not Report to Personal Credit? 

Use eCredable to Build Business Credit 

Business credit cards are one of the best ways to build business credit. If you have a good personal credit history, you can often qualify for one as a new small business owner by signing a personal guarantee. 

However, your creditor can then pursue your personal assets if your business defaults. That puts your personal finances at risk as well your personal credit scores if the negative business credit card activity can reach your personal credit reports. 

eCredable can help you build credit without taking on these risks. You can also sign up without a good personal credit score since no personal guarantee or credit check is required. 

After account opening, our Business Lift program lets you report your ongoing payments and up to two years of payment history for an unlimited number of eligible recurring expenses, transforming them into vendor tradelines. 

Sign up for eCredable today and take the shortcut to a better business credit score. 

Learn More About Business Credit Cards:

-Does Bank of America Business Card Report to Personal Credit? 

-Does PNC Business Credit Card Report to Personal Credit? 

Does PNC Business Credit Card Report to Personal Credit? 

PNC Bank doesn’t report its business credit cards to any personal credit bureau. The policy applies to both positive and negative business credit card activity.  

That means you shouldn’t see a PNC business credit card appear in your Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion personal credit reports under any circumstances, even if you make late payments or default on an account. 

That can make PNC’s credit lines more attractive than certain alternatives if you want to prioritize protecting your personal credit score from your business debts. 

For example, say you’re trying to scale your startup and need to lean heavily on business credit cards to finance significant purchases.  

It might be wise to protect yourself by using a PNC card that won’t report your credit utilization or any missed payments to a personal bureau. 

Fortunately, PNC does report to each major business credit bureau, which includes Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), Experian Business, and Equifax Business. 

As a result, PNC offers some of the best business credit cards for building business credit. You can use them to establish tradelines that contribute to all of the most popular business credit scores without any risk to your personal credit history. 

Which Other Cards Report to the Personal Credit Bureaus? 

Discover and Capital One are the most notable small business credit card issuers that report positive activity to the consumer credit bureaus. In other words, their accounts can appear in your personal credit report even if you use them responsibly. 

However, of the two, only Capital One offers business card accounts as of the time of writing.  

You can read more about the financial institution’s requirements and reporting policies in our other article, Does the Capital One Business Credit Card Report to Personal Credit? 

Many more credit card companies report negative activities to the personal credit bureaus, typically to encourage responsible use.  

For example, as we explored in our article, Which Business Credit Cards Do Not Report to Personal Credit?, that includes issuers like Chase and American Express (Amex). 

That said, personal credit reporting policies are only one factor when determining the best credit card to use. You should also take into account card details like business reporting policies, credit limit practices, and minimum credit score requirements. 

If you’re interested in Chase or Amex cards, you can learn more about these additional considerations in our articles on each credit card issuer:  

• Does the Amex Business Credit Card Report to Personal Credit?  

• Does the Chase Business Credit Card Report to Personal Credit? 

Use eCredable to Build Business Credit  

Business credit cards are one of the best ways to build a better business credit score, but they often require you to take on significant risk to your personal credit and finances, especially if you’re a relatively new business owner. 

eCredable is an excellent way to avoid the issues often associated with business credit cards. Not only is there no personal guarantee required, but there’s also no credit check, so your personal credit score is always protected. 

After account opening, our Business Lift program lets you report an unlimited number of recurring payments, like rent and utility bills, to the business credit bureaus. 

That includes up to two years of payment history, allowing you to establish multiple robust vendor tradelines without taking on any additional expenses other than our $19.95 monthly subscription—which we also report! 

Sign up for eCredable today and take the shortcut to better business credit. 

Learn More About Business Credit Cards: 

- Does US Bank Business Card Report to Personal Credit?

- Does Bank of America Business Card Report to Personal Credit? 

Does Bank of America Business Card Report to Personal Credit? 

Bank of America is one of several major credit card issuers that won’t report your business card activity to any personal credit bureau. 

That policy applies to both positive and negative account activity. In other words, you won’t see a Bank of America business credit card account in any personal credit report, however you use it—even if you default and it goes to collections. 

That can make Bank of America an attractive option if you’re worried about your business credit cards potentially damaging your personal credit score. 

For example, say you’re a new small business owner with inconsistent cash flow that increases your risk of missing monthly payments. In that case, a Bank of America business card could provide peace of mind. 

However, Bank of America doesn’t report to the major business credit bureaus either, which include Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), Equifax Business, and Experian Business. It only reports to the Small Business Financial Exchange (SBFE). 

As a result, Bank of America’s business credit cards may not pose a risk to your personal or business credit, but they aren’t the best for establishing a positive payment history either. 

Which Other Cards Report to the Personal Credit Bureaus? 

Most major credit card issuers choose not to report positive business card activity to any consumer credit bureau.  

As of the time of writing, Discover and Capital One are the only exceptions, which means they can appear in your personal credit reports even if you use their accounts responsibly. 

Discover doesn’t currently offer any business credit cards, but you can read more about Capital One’s offerings and policies in our article Does the Capital One Business Credit Card Report to Personal Credit? 

Meanwhile, major issuers are split on whether or not they report negative small business credit card activity—such as late payments—to any personal bureau.  

To protect your personal credit, you may want to stay away from those that do, such as American Express and Chase. 

That said, these companies’ business reporting policies can complicate the decision.  

To make an informed choice, review our articles on each credit card issuer:  

• Does the Amex Business Credit Card Report to Personal Credit?  

• Does the Chase Business Credit Card Report to Personal Credit? 

For a summary of the personal and business credit bureau reporting policies of all the popular credit card companies, visit our article, Which Business Credit Cards Do Not Report to Personal Credit? 

Use eCredable to Build Business Credit 

Business credit cards are one of the most effective tools for building a good business credit score, but qualifying for them can be challenging, and late payments may pose a significant threat to your personal credit and finances. 

eCredable’s Business Lift program makes for an excellent alternative. There’s no personal guarantee or credit check, and you can use it to report certain recurring expenses to the business credit bureaus as vendor tradelines. 

In addition, eCredable lets you report up to two years of historical payments for each expense, helping to quickly establish a deep, positive payment history—all without risking your personal credit or increasing your financial burden. 

Sign up for eCredable today to streamline your business credit building. 

Learn More About Business Credit Cards: 

- Does PNC Business Credit Card Report to Personal Credit? 

- Does US Bank Business Card Report to Personal Credit? 

How to Get a $50k No Doc Business Loan

Financing your small business quickly is your primary focus as a business owner.  

The difficulty lies in finding financing opportunities that require minimal effort or waiting on your part.  

One option is a 50k no doc business loan.  

Below, we’ll look at no-doc business loans, eligibility requirements, and alternatives to help you better understand your financing options.  

Is It Hard to Qualify for a $50K No Doc Business Loan? 

A $50k no doc business loan simplifies the financing process by requiring little paperwork on your end.  

But is it as easy to qualify for as it is to apply to? The answer is that it depends.  

Generally, no doc financing options are easier to qualify for because they’re designed for those who are unable to tap into traditional loan opportunities.  

No doc options allow you to get funding fast. They just come with the tradeoff of higher interest rates and shorter repayment periods.  

That being said, $50,000 is a sizable chunk of money. No doc or low doc options offering this amount will likely need you to meet certain eligibility requirements to qualify.  

In many cases, you won’t need documentation. The experience won’t be like applying for an SBA loan. But your small business will need to meet criteria like: 

• Minimum time in business 
• Annual revenue or gross monthly sales requirements 
• Minimum credit scores (bad credit options may be available) 

The key to finding the right options is to compare $50k no doc business loans and low doc business loans to see what the varying eligibility requirements are.  

Then, apply to the options you’re most likely to qualify for (with the best loan terms). As a borrower, you may need to temper your expectations at first. We’ll provide more insights on how to qualify more easily in the sections below. 

What Are the Credit Score Requirements for a $50K No Doc Business Loan? 

Credit score requirements will vary depending on the lender.  

Some lenders will require no minimum personal credit score. However, it’s rare not to require a credit check. You may end up having to deal with higher interest rates as well as higher annual revenue minimums. You’ll be funded, but your bad credit will cost you. 

On the lower end, you can expect a minimum personal credit score of 520 and above. This should be more achievable for many with bad credit. Again, however, these terms are relatively scarce and will cost you.  

To be on the safe side, aim for, at a minimum, 600 (680 is better for credit approval) and above. 600 is considered fair and will generally be enough to qualify for most no doc business loans.  

It’s also worth noting that some lenders may check business credit scores too. These aren’t typically listed in the credit score requirements list. You should be able to find these terms directly on the lender’s website.  

You can reach out to them if you need further clarification. Ask before applying if you're unsure. It will save your small business even more time when trying to secure financing. 

How to Get a $50K Business Loan 

Getting a $50k no doc business loan will require you to do the following. 

• Establish a List of Lender Options: The difference between applying for a regular loan and a $50k no doc business loan is that the latter is much easier to apply for. You don’t need to worry about getting together documentation and all of the other typical steps. Now, you can start the process off by creating a list of lender options instead of doing the traditional prep work associated with securing a loan.  
• Narrow Down Your Options Based on Eligibility: With a list of options in hand, narrow down your choices based on eligibility. If you know your personal credit score isn’t high enough or your recurring monthly revenue won’t meet certain earnings thresholds, you can begin eliminating lenders on your list.  
• Take a Look at Whether No Doc Options Are Truly That: As with EIN-only business credit cards and other financial solutions, “no doc business loans” may not always be what they’re advertised to be. Some are low doc small business loans. It’s important to see exactly how much documentation you’ll need to worry about. A no doc and low doc business loan are fairly close in terms of ease of application. That being said, you don’t want to be caught by surprise.  
• Apply With Your Top Options First: Once you’ve taken care of the above, all you have to do is apply for funding! Start with the top option and then work your way down from there.  

Keep in mind too that you may not qualify for most options right away. Borrower requirements can be strict. When this happens, what should you do?  

How to Build Business Credit to Qualify for a $200K Business Loan 

Are you struggling to find anything from a $10k business loan to a $100k business loan?  

Discovering that you’re ineligible for most small business funding options can be frustrating. 

One key factor that may prevent you from securing any loan amount is your business credit.  

If you want to build business credit that’s capable of securing you a no doc $50k no doc business loan or something higher like a $200k business loan, there are solutions.  

eCredable can help you build your business credit score and credit history with multiple tradelines. 

The eCredable Business Lift and Business Lift+ subscriptions report each subscription payment to several business credit bureaus to help you build business credit fast. These include D&B, Experian Business, and Equifax Business.  

We also help you maximize your efforts by reporting third-party bills. Whether you pay rent for an office space or have a dedicated customer support number, you could be building business credit with it.  

We report third-party bills to: Equifax Business.  

Both subscriptions offer the same reporting benefits. However, the Business Lift+ subscription allows you to link your accounting package for greater financial insights and monitoring. This can be helpful for the average small business owner. 

If you want to boost your business credit to maximize your business financing choices, sign up for eCredable to start building business credit fast! 

How to Find the Best $200K Business Loan Offer 

Always start your loan research by finding reliable and updated sources. There are a host of guides out there that can point you in the direction of the best $200k business loans. They just have to be recent and relevant to your small business. 

You will also need to check the websites of the associated lender. Some lenders may change offers or information can be incorrect in various guides. Nothing’s worse as a borrower than researching extensively and finding that most options are gone or incorrect. 

Then, compile your options into one seamless resource. A spreadsheet is an excellent way to not only see all of your options at a glance but to visually compile important eligibility requirements as well.  

After that, all that you need to do is apply. Applying will help you see who will be willing to extend your small business funding. If you get rejected, you may gain clearer insights into why.  

Both of these are helpful. If you don’t get funding, you’ll know exactly what you need to do in order to make your business more appealing to lenders.  

There are plenty of services to take advantage of too. Don’t be afraid to leverage professional support to compare and apply for business loans. When you need cash fast, professional resources can save you time and money. 

Types of $50K Business Loans to Choose From 

When you’re looking for a $50k no doc business loan, you have options. But it’s crucial to remember these are not the same options as your average business loans. You’ll typically be working outside of what a traditional lender might offer. 

If you need $50k quickly and without documentation (or very little), consider: 

• Short-Term Business Loans: Short-term unsecured business loan options generally require little documentation and are easily accessible. Just keep in mind that these have less desirable terms. High interest rates and shorter payback periods are common with no doc loan options. This especially includes a business term loan with a shorter payback period. 
• Invoice Financing: Invoice financing is a type of financing whereby you use unpaid customer invoices as collateral to receive funding. This can be limiting if you don’t have $50k in unpaid invoices sitting around. However, you can easily work up to that point over time if you need to boost your cash flow. Invoice factoring is another option that’s similar to invoice financing. This is where you sell your invoices to another company that will collect those debts. This type of small business loan comes with its downsides, but it will help you boost your cash flow too. 
• Business Line of Credit: A business line of credit is one of the better options on this list. There are ample financing options out there that will offer $50k or more with no documentation or limited documentation. The eligibility requirements may be stricter for a business line of credit. Keep this in mind when applying for this type of small business loan. 

Alternatives to Business Loans 

Business loans aren’t your only options for funding your small business. There are other alternatives that may come with no doc or low doc benefits. Here are a few.  

Business Credit Cards 

Business credit cards offer revolving credit that you can continue tapping into. More than that, it’s possible to get credit limits of up to $100,000. This will offer plenty of credit to help you fund your business.  

Unlike a startup business loan, you have access to that amount for longer stretches too. 

If your card issuer reports to the major business credit bureaus, this also helps you build credit so you can access better and more financing options.  

With the above in mind, finding no doc options can be more challenging. Some solutions like corporate charge cards may have less documentation than typically required. They may also offer many of the same benefits as a traditional business card.  

Research business credit card issuers carefully. You may have to go with full doc options if those are the only ones you can acquire at this point in time.  

Equipment Financing and Merchant Cash Advances 

Equipment financing and merchant cash advances are other alternative financing options. If you need a small business loan, you should consider these as well. 

Equipment financing is a form of financing where you get the funding you need to purchase specific equipment for your small business. Equipment loans are easier to acquire since the collateral is your equipment. 

If you need small business funding primarily for equipment, this is one form of financing that may be best suited for your needs.  

Another financing option is merchant cash advances. Merchant cash advances extend your funds in return for a chunk of your credit card or debit card sales.  

Merchant cash advances are notorious for high interest rates and strict repayment schedules. We’re not talking about a high monthly payment, but daily repayment in some cases. 

Keep this in mind before committing to a merchant cash advance. It will boost cash flow, but there are major downsides that make it a last-resort financing choice. 

Finding a $50k no doc business loan is difficult, but not impossible. If you’re looking to fund your business without the hassle of jumping through hoops, use the insights and direction offered in the guide above to access the type of funding that you need.  

If you need to build business credit or personal credit to expand your options and qualify more easily, get started now with eCredable.