Many people think banks care only about your personal credit score but that’s just part of the story. What lenders really want is a low-risk borrower. Here’s what they’re evaluating before approving your business: 1️⃣ Are you already a customer? Opening a checking or savings account before applying gives you a huge advantage. Make consistent deposits banks are relationship-based lenders. 2️⃣ Is your business set up correctly? Red flags include unverifiable addresses, high-risk NAICS codes, no dedicated phone number, no operating agreement, and missing business credit scores. 3️⃣ Are you applying at the right bank for your funding needs? Big banks deny more freely. Smaller, local “portfolio” banks lend based on relationships and local risk — making them ideal for small business funding. Pro tips: ✅ Build banking relationships early ✅ Start with small or regional banks that support small businesses ✅ Talk to a business relationship manager ✅ Make sure your entire credit file is strong not just your scores Learn the fundamentals before applying. Make your business look exactly how lenders want it to. Communities like this one are perfect for asking questions, participating, and ge tting real answers.