What funders really look at in your file

The statement comes first

Owners with credit trouble often assume the score is the first and last thing a funder sees. In a revenue-based review, the order is closer to the reverse. About three months of business bank statements set the tone, and the credit report adds context. That is why FICO scores from 500 and up are considered at all.

Five things a reviewer reads in your statements

1. Monthly deposits. How much comes in, and whether it is real revenue rather than transfers between your own accounts.
2. Consistency. A steady $90,000 a month often reads better than one $200,000 month followed by two thin ones.
3. Daily balances. Whether the account regularly runs near zero or holds a cushion.
4. Overdrafts and returned items. A few over a year is common; a pattern every week raises questions.
5. Existing obligations. Recurring debits to other funders or lenders show how much of your cash flow is already spoken for.

Where credit still fits

Credit is reviewed, starting with a soft pull. A reviewer is looking for context: is a low score from an old medical bill or a business failure years ago, or from something recent and ongoing? Strong current deposits can carry a lot of weight against an older setback. For more on that balance, read how strong revenue offsets weaker credit.

What is not on the list

Tax returns are not required. You do not need a business plan, projections, or a stack of financial statements. Sole proprietors are reviewed on the same business deposit history as corporations. The point is to judge the business by what it actually does month to month.

Small fixes before you apply

• Run revenue through one primary business account where possible.
• Download full statements, every page, rather than summaries.
• Make sure the business name on the account matches the application.
• Be ready to explain one-time deposits, like an insurance payment or an asset sale.

These are habits that make any review smoother. They are not tricks, and none of them change what the numbers say.

Who this guide is for

Established businesses doing $60K or more a month whose personal credit is behind where the company is. Funding from $25,000 to $5,000,000 is provided through our partner Merchant Fund Express. When your statements are ready, apply here, or review how the process works first.