Most business owners think funding starts with filling out an application.
It doesn’t.
Funding starts with passing the lender’s silent checklist — and most denials happen before a human ever looks at your application.
Here are the non-negotiables you need before you apply:
- Business Entity – Your LLC or Corporation must be active and in good standing with the state.
- Business Bank Account – Must be in the same name as your registered business.
- Matching Information Everywhere – Your business name, address, and phone must match exactly across all platforms (Secretary of State, IRS, bank, online listings).
- Professional Contact Info – No Gmail or Yahoo emails. Use a business domain email.
- EIN Number – Obtained directly from the IRS.
- Business Phone & Address – Lenders often flag home addresses or personal cell phones unless set up correctly.
If you miss even one of these, you could be leaving $50K–$100K in approvals on the table.
Teaching Tip:
Before you ever apply, think like the underwriter — they’re looking for signals you run a real, stable business.