Is Establishing Business Credit Important?

30. August 2011

The erratic status of the economy today had created a negative effect on almost everyone in the work industry. This effect has forced some of the professionals to make a move and start their own businesses and be entrepreneurs by using all the industrial knowledge they have gained from their jobs. However, new entrepreneurs should take time to learn about some of the things necessary before jumping in with both feet. Establishing business credit is actually the first step in doing this.

Similar to a person’s personal credit, business credit is also an indicator of creditworthiness but at a business level. It reflects the ability of an organization or a company in obtaining products as well as services that is based on a promise to settle the payment on a later date. This kind of ability is oftentimes used as reference whenever the business plans to secure a loan in order to fund anything that is related or associated with the business such as uniforms, office materials, and office space rentals. This is the reason why establishing a business credit becomes a foundation of a business.

Is establishing a business credit important?

Yes, of course. Business credit plays the same significant role like that of your personal credit standing. A business would need all the capital it can get in order to invest on things to make the business as stable as possible, regardless of the type of business it is. However, there are some important details that a person should be aware of when establishing business credit. 

First, obtaining a Federal EIN or employer ID number and opening a bank account with the exact business name. The reason that a business would do this is simple, you want to establish the business credit and protect your personal credit at the same time.

A business credit profile must be opened with the three reporting agencies. Then, obtain at least 5 suppliers or vendors that can extend a certain amount of credit line for your company. This way, these vendors and suppliers can furnish or provide histories of your payments to these credit agencies.

Using personal credit in purchasing company materials may only lead to the person’s negative impact on his own credit as well as not establishing the business credit. Whenever you use your personal accounts in any transactions, it only builds your personal credit, not the business credit. Applying for business credit cards would be better but these accounts should not be linked to you personally in any way. This is also another good way of establishing business credit as the payment histories are furnished to the credit reporting agencies.

Anyone can certainly start up their own business and be entrepreneurs themselves. However, establishing business credit would mean a lot in maintaining the business and keeping it stable. Good business credit always reflects good business and creditworthiness.

Business Credit, General ,