By Dennis Henson Building Business Credit
Notes and Slides www.singlefamilyfortunes.com/businesscredit
Seven Secrets of Success in Real Estate Investing 1. Get Your Mind Right 2. Seek Wisdom 3. Develop Skills 3. Develop Skills 4. Make Detailed Plans 5. Take Massive Action 6. Form Great Alliances 7. Be Persistent
5 M s of Real Estate Investing Mining Money Maintenance Marketing Managing
By Dennis Henson Building Business Credit
Famous Quote All the money you will ever need is available to you! Who said
Is it Possible to: Separate personal from Business Credit? Obtain $10 s or $100 000 s of credit Even if you just filed bankruptcy And do not even have a job
And is it Possible to: Obtain right now Business Credit Cards Vendor Lines of Credit Computer Leases Vehicle Leases Business Equipment and Supplies Store Cards (Home Depot, Lowes, Etc ) Lower Interest Company SBA & Bank Loans Commercial & Private Property Business Lines of Credit up to $150K CASH Without any Personal Guarantee!
Keep Dreaming!
=Provides Cash= Business Credit For Start-ups To extend cash-flow To get better terms To build credibility To limit personal liability To prove credit worthiness To create rapid growth For the life Blood of Business
Personal vs. Business Credit Personal Credit Get a SS # & like magic it appears Business Credit Doesn t miraculously start Takes of work Requires being proactive Contacting a major bureau for help is best
What is Business Credit? It is the Credit extended to businesses In two forms Trade Credit Cash Credit
Businesses Expect to Give Trade Credit
Credit for Products & Services Terms may range from 10 to 30 days net
Net 30 Definition Full payment due in 30 days A discount may be offered for early payment 2% for 15 day payment Written as 2/15 net 30
Set up Properly, A Company May Receive Trade Credit From Vendors Suppliers Office Supply Stores Equipment Companies This type of Credit is very important Using & paying it establishes business credit
Trade Credit May be Used for Inventory Advertising Contract services Office supplies Equipment Office furniture
There s Also Cash Credit Cash Credit Includes Business Loans Business Lines of Credit From Banks Business Credit Cards Visa MasterCard American Express Both should be used often
Types of Credit Accounts
The Cash Conversion Cycle Measures days to recover $ after buying inventory, ads, etc.
Example of CCC Invest $10K today in inventory Sell inventory in 30 days to recover 10K+ Cash Conversion Cycle = 30 days
Credit Scores Personal 350 to 850 680 or higher is good 720 or higher is excellent Business 0 to 100 75 or more is good 80 or more is excellent
Personal Credit Ratings 3 major credit bureaus Equifax Experian TransUnion Rating system is called FICO Score Five factors determine score Best to have a 740 or higher
Business Credit Score Determined by Financials Payment experience Variety of vendors When payments are made Amount of debt owed to vendors Length of time vendors have been active
Business Credit Bureaus 1. Dun & Bradstreet 2. Corporate Experian 3. Equifax (Business Credit Division) 4. Smaller players include Pay Net FD Insight Business Credit USA Client Checker
Dun & Bradstreet Has Collected information over 165 years It sells information to other companies It s the predominant business bureau Reporting on over 140,000,000 businesses
D&B Issues DUNS # s (Data Universal Numbering System) Number 1 business ID A nine-digit number issued to companies company divisions Like an employer ID# Allows self-reporting to portray co in best light Starting point for credit profile and for a Paydex Score It is Free Takes about 30 days
And DUNS Reports A Report Card for Businesses Similar to an annual report Prepared by D&B as an observer Allows creditors to see a co's operations And compare it to competitors
Includes DUNS Report A thorough investigation of a business Financial statements, debt loads Corporate filings & credit ratings Some include information on the company's Buildings and employees Personal histories of principal staff Industry statistics
Paydex Scores D & B uses Paydex to rate a company s credit Similar to a FICO score Scores range from 0 to 100 75 or higher is considered safe investment For a Paydex score D&B checks How fast a company to pays their creditors Frequency of late or missed payments Debt ratios Used by vendors & banks to gage risk
To Get D&B Scores & Reports Visit the D&B business information center @ www.dnb.com Register for an account as a first-time user D&B will investigate & verify the submission Receive invitation by e-mail Consider purchasing D&B's monitoring service for More-detailed reports Help to manage your business credit rating Financial reports & public records
2 nd Business Credit Agency Experian Second major player next to D&B Has over 30,000,000 business reports Compared to D&B s over 140,000,000 Doesn t accept self-reported information
Four Stages to Business Credit Set up Maintain Correct Grow
Stage One Set up Maintain Correct Grow
Major Points Set up a real business entity Register with all the Business Credit Bureaus Conform to all licenses and requirements Prepare a Professional Business Plan Manage debt Make all Payments on time
Starting Steps Listed 1. Set-up your company s business structure 2. Obtain a Federal EIN # (Employer Identification Number) 3. Obtain Business Licenses 4. Set-up a Commercial Office Location 5. Get a Business Phone 6. Open a Bank Account in the Business Name 7. Set up a Website with e-mail capabilities 8. Identify the Company s SIC and NAICS Codes 9. Identify Officers and Management Team 10. Develop a Company Profile 11. Get a DUNS Number
Set up a Structure LLC (Limited Liability Company) C-Corporation Subchapter S-Corporation Non-Profit Corporations LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) Professional Corporation Professional LLC LP (Limited Partnership)
Get an EIN Number Employer Identification Number (EIN) Every business needs this number to file taxes to open a business bank account Go to IRS website for info and to apply online http://www.irs.gov/businesses Your CPA can help you complete the IRS Form SS-4
Obtain Business Licenses Check with city, county and state governments Credit Bureaus verify businesses are current
Office in a Commercial Building Credit Bureaus check telephone directories city, county municipal, & other sources to verify address is zoned for business Home-office alternatives Executive office suites Virtual office suites
A Business Phone Not a Cell phone Essential to building business credit Number listed in business name In directory assistance Bureaus verify & maintain databases
A Business Bank Account Standard requirement on credit applications Critically important to building business credit Not expensive to open
A Company Website With E-mail Is impressive to creditors Makes small companies look large
Identify Officers and Team Pictures add credibility Bio s are a big plus Do not have to be employees
SIC & NAICS Codes Credit bureaus will likely request them use for marketing lists to sell to creditors Find SIC codes at www.osha.gov Real Estate Investors = 6531 Find NAICS at www.census.gov Real Estate Investors = 531110
Company Profile Develop a good company profile With all relevant information Borrow ideas from big co s Include Year Founded Annual Sales (if good) Number of Employees DUNS Number (if available) Use when applying for DUNS # Credit
Get a DUNS # Go to www.dnb.com Options @ D&B site Get a DUNS number not an official DUNS rating - FREE Get a DUNS number with the Credit Builder program (Recommended if you have vendors NOT reporting to D&B) $??? eupdatepassword Provides access to credit file anytime Allows updates and changes Removal of certain info for accuracy To start growing credit get an account rep to setup DUNS - a D&B rating - an eupdatepassword $???
Stage Two Set up Maintain Correct Grow
Maintaining the D&B Report Periodically check the score Use D&B s Monitoring Service for Alerts positive and negative to changes in reports of Credit Ratings Suits, liens, or judgments PAYDEX scores Financial statements Other significant news
Who s Reporting For a list of companies reporting Call a D&B representative Request an e-mail list of companies reporting See the overview of companies reporting Check the dollar weighted payments Check the PAYDEX score
Stage Three Set up Maintain Correct Grow
Correcting D&B Report On the D&B Website, Select Establish & Manage Co Profile Find the DUNS # & Company name Check the company name for accuracy Be sure LLC, Inc, or LP are listed correctly Check business detail for accuracy Business license State documents Tax numbers Dates
Business Credit Profiles Include Payment & Banking Data Suits, Liens, & Judgments Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Filings Business Registrations Incorporation & Bankruptcy Filings Corporate Financial Reports Internet Website Mining News, Media Stories, & Press Releases Self-reported Data Other Companies that have Granted Credit
Remember Do not make changes often May cause red flags For D&B For Lenders D&B monitors Log-in times It s better for a D&B rep to make changes Much less chance of errors
Remove Whenever Possible Items that Lower PAYDEX Collections Judgments Liens Suits Bankruptcy
Other Items to Remove 120 day lates--devastate PAYDEX Especially large dollar amounts Unfavorable comments Not only affect PAYDEX but D&B rating Bad Debt or Credit Refused These cause red flags
Ask D&B Customer Service Companies posting collections For file name(s) For collector s name To dispute negative reports if: No payments are due Wrong or incorrectly billed The company name is not known The bill was paid or is being paid on time Get the D&B rep s name for follow up
Correcting PAYDEX Pick each battle carefully Disputes should be accurate If wrong, the item will remain for 16 months Better for an account rep dispute trade references Minimum three at a time so choose wisely! Add positive vendors to list to offset negatives Pay reporting trades on time
D&B PAYDEX Scores Payment History An 80 is a Good PAYDEX score Score 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 Bill Payment Time Anticipate Discount Prompt Slow to 15 Days Slow to 22 Days Slow to 30 Days Slow to 60 Days Slow to 90 Days Slow to 120 Days
After D&B Dispute One of the following things will happen The trade responds the info is correct responds the info is incorrect does not respond No response in 15 days Item is removed from file Info incorrect Item is removed from file Info correct Do further investigation Or further action
Removing Law Suits, Liens, and Judgments Inaccurate filings on D&B Require proof to be deleted Proving documents include Settlements Satisfactions Releases from the court taxing authorities Keep good records Items may show up long after settlements especially if made out of court
Bankruptcy Is a Public record On report for 25 years D&B reports if accurate Very difficult to remove Rare exception Proving change of ownership
Public Filings Goal A blank Public Filings Section Showing the best credit report possible If not blank work toward showing them all satisfied
UCC Filings (Uniform Commercial Code) Shows Lien Against Items Could be positive Shows other vendors give secured interest Could be negative If several appear in short time frame May appear to be over extended Stay on report for 5 years or less Depending on term of security document
Stage Four Set up Maintain Correct Grow
After Credit is Established Use the credit and repay on time It is not necessary to use it all After 4-6 months ask for an increase Also ask for an interest rate decrease if there is an interest rate Continue building business credit As scores increase continue work on credit Creditors will purchase info from credit bureaus
Seek Additional Financing Business Supplies Business Equipment Business Lines of Credit Business Credit Cards Vendor lines of Credit Computer Leases Vehicle Leases Store Cards (Home Depot, Nordstrom s, Etc ) Company SBA & Bank Loans Commercial & Private Property
Use Real Estate Investing Credit for: 20% Down Fix-up Costs Mortgage/Rent Property Taxes Supplies Equipment
Quote by Shawn Casey The more money you borrow-- the more people will want to lend you money!
Equipment Leasing Lender buys & owns equipment Rents it to a business At a flat monthly rate For a specified number of months At end of lease, the Business may: purchase equipment For its fair market value or a fixed or predetermined amount continue leasing existing equipment return it And or lease new equipment
Growing Lease Credit Leasing companies generally approve twice the amount of a bank loan A 40K loan should equal an equipment Lease of 80K Pay on time 6 Months show a good reason and ask for a larger credit line Continue the process for 2-3 years at 4-6 month intervals This should build a large credit line and the ability to be approved for even bigger equipment leases Be conservative to protect the business credit score
Credit Friendly Businesses Amazon AT&T AT&T (Phone Services) Best Buy Costco Dell Fed Ex Fry s Electronics Hertz Home Depot JC Pennys Jiffy Lube Fleet Kinkos Kohls Lowes Office Depot Office Max Officedepot Officemax Pep Boys Fleet Quickbooks Radio Shack Sam's Club Sam's Club Credit Account Staples United States Postal Service UPS Gemplers Walgreens www.att.com www.usps.com
Growing Business Lines of Credit Start here and repeat Get a 30K of Business Line of Credit NOTE: Do not open more Only than 3 open bank 3 accounts bank accounts within a 90-day within 90-days period of to time. avoid Your business Chex Systems may get problems caught in the Chex Systems. Deposit 10K in 3 separate banks Once good average Once a good average balance is established, balance has been established the banks will often offer Ask each bank for higher credit higher amounts of credit lines lines. After that money is deposited, Go back go back to each to each bank where and apply money for was a deposited business and line apply of credit for a business line of credit..
Business Credit Cards Often the cheapest funds to borrow Apply after finishing the steps for trade credit Goal should be no personal guarantee Watch for personal guarantee clauses in apps
Grow Credit Card Credit Start small, but pay on time Apply for several cards at once Use all cards Pay ahead of time In 4-6 months ask for an increase If turned down ask for supervisor Apply for more cards Repeat process every 4-6 months
www.creditcards.org/for-bad-credit?lp=1
Increasing the PAYDEX Score Remove negative reports from the report Increase the number of positive reports Increase the amount on each report
D&B Alert Dear Norma T Henson, D&B has just issued the following alert(s) on your company (VANGUARD MARKETING AND INVESTMENTS, INC.) Business Name: VANGUARD MARKETING AND INVESTMENTS, INC. Address: 6902 Shore Breeze Ct City, State: ARLINGTON, TX Phone: 817 483-1751 DUNS: 884534426 Number of alerts for company: 1 Date:6/26/12 2:56 AM Commercial Credit Score Class Your Commercial Credit Class has improved from Class 2 to Class 1
Step by Step Check List Form a Business Entity Obtain a Federal Tax ID# Get a Listed Business Phone number Acquire any required business licenses Select a business classification code
You re Off Set up a profile with DNB (dnbnumber.com) Add information as needed to complete picture Add existing positive existing trade references D&B s Business Credit Builder adds references Apply for vendor lines of credit Use vendors that report credit limits monthly
Raise Paydex to 90+ pay invoices 20 days early Build a big solid payment history volume Increase all account types and trade lines Consistently monitor the business credit file Get listed with multiple business credit bureaus Target specific bureaus for your industry And the big 3 D&B Equifax Business Corporate Experian Breaking Away
List the financial products you will need Set up a business bank account Credit unions and community banks are more flexible Obtain secured business credit cards Get a small business line of credit Establish credit diversity different account types trade credit revolving credit Loans leases Set up/keep good financials The Stretch
Winning Do a quality business plan Outline each component for business success Strive to maintain a personal credit scores of 700+ Some may still require a personal check Build large trade lines with many kinds of credit Request credit limit increases every 4-6 months Learn requirements before asking for more credit Join Business Credit forums and social networks Read articles and subscribe to blogs
Or Just Get it Done for You Business Credit 123 http://www.businesscredit123.com
1 2 3 Help with Getting Business Credit established Business Credit Cards Lines of Credit Real Estate Company Vehicles Office Equipment Business Loans and Leases Unsecured Business Credit Business Credit Lines Venture Capital and Financing
Also Get Help From www.dnbnumber.com
Beginner s Mistakes Thinking bus credit not possible due to poor personal credit Using personal credit to finance a business Buying a Line of Credit Not making the business an entity Applying for loans before establishing a payment history Applying for loans before establishing solid bus credit score Making personal guarantees Not researching the current credit status Not complying with credit bureau requirements
More Beginner s Mistakes Getting Red Flagged by business credit bureaus Not getting help to repair business credit Working w/vendors who only report negative payments Wasting time trying to build business credit without help Damaging personal credit score Not preparing documentation when seeking financing Not doing something everyday to build business credit Not looking at the business as a separate entity
Easy as 1 2 3 Seeking Wisdom is a Secret to Success!!! To learn more about Business Credit go to www.businesscredit123.com
Final Thought If you only take one thing from the training let it be this... Be ready when opportunity appears! Let s get out there & start getting ready!
Questions? Contact information: Dennis Henson 6902 Shore Breeze Ct Arlington Texas 76016 Phone: 817-371-8658 dennisjhenson@yahoo.com Web site: http://www.dennisjhenson.com