How to Get Business Funding
Even With Bad Credit.

Why credit scores matter less for some funding types

Traditional lenders — banks and credit unions — use your personal credit score as a proxy for risk. A score below 680 typically means an automatic decline for most bank business loans, regardless of how your business is actually performing.

But not all business funding is credit-based. Revenue-based funding products like merchant cash advances evaluate your business differently — they look at your monthly bank deposits, your time in operation, and the consistency of your cash flow. Your credit score is largely irrelevant to this analysis.

What is a merchant cash advance and why does credit matter less?

A merchant cash advance is working capital provided to your business in exchange for a portion of your future revenue. The funding decision is based almost entirely on your bank statement history — how much you deposit each month, how consistent those deposits are, and how long you've been in business.

Businesses with credit scores in the 500s and 600s regularly qualify for merchant cash advances when their revenue history is strong. The logic is simple: if your business has been consistently depositing $30,000 a month for the past year, your credit score tells the funder less about your repayment ability than your bank statements do.

What do you need to qualify?

At Reeve Capital, the three qualifying criteria are:

• You are the business owner or an authorized principal
• Your business has been incorporated and operating for at least five months
• Your business bank account shows at least $5,000 in average monthly deposits

There is no stated minimum credit score requirement. Checking your eligibility has no effect on your personal credit score.

Tips for getting the best offer with imperfect credit

While your credit score won't disqualify you, your bank statements tell the whole story. Here's how to put your best foot forward:

• Submit all four months of bank statements — the more data you provide, the more complete the picture of your business
• Avoid submitting during an unusually slow month if possible — time your application during or just after a strong revenue period
• Make sure your business bank account is active and in good standing — overdrafts and negative balances raise flags
• Be accurate on your application — inconsistencies between your stated revenue and your bank statements slow approval

What about improving your credit over time?

Getting funded today doesn't mean you're locked into higher-cost capital forever. Many business owners use a merchant cash advance as a bridge — getting the capital they need now, using it to grow, and building a stronger financial profile over time that eventually opens doors to lower-cost bank financing.

Using a merchant cash advance responsibly — taking what you need, using it productively, and repaying on schedule — can also contribute positively to your business's overall financial health, even if it doesn't directly affect your credit score.