Business Startup Credit AuditFix 610→670 First
610 FICO = No merchant accounts. No business loans. This audit reveals your exact funding blockers and the 30-day fix path to 670+ eligibility. Can't charge clients until you fix YOUR credit first.
Merchant accounts: 8-12% processing fees
Business loans: DENIED or 25%+ APR
Business cards: $500 limits, secured only
$8K/yr lost to high fees alone
Merchant accounts: 2.9% + $0.30
Business loans: SBA eligible, 7-12% APR
Business cards: $10K+ limits, rewards
Premium rates = profit margin
$100K revenue/yr:
610 FICO: $8,000 in fees (8%)
670 FICO: $3,200 in fees (2.9%+$0.30)
$4,800/yr saved = 27 extra clients
Pay down to 30% = +45-65 points. Fastest score boost available.
Late payments, collections. Each removal = +25-35 points.
Authorized user accounts add history = +15-25 points.
670+ unlocked. Premium merchant accounts available.
What's the minimum score for business merchant accounts?
Most premium processors (Square, Stripe) require 650-670+. Below that, you're stuck with high-risk processors charging 8-12% per transaction. That's $80-$120 lost per $1,000 in revenue.
How fast can I really go from 610 to 670?
With aggressive action (utilization drop + dispute wins), 30-45 days is realistic. The biggest lever is credit utilization - dropping from 68% to 30% can add 45-65 points in one billing cycle.
Do late payments block business loans?
Yes. Recent late payments (past 12 months) are the #1 reason for business loan denials. Even one 30-day late can drop your score 50-100 points and stay on your report 7 years.
Can I start my credit repair business with a 610 score?
Technically yes, but you'll pay 2-3x higher processing fees and struggle to get business credit. Fix your score first - you'll save $4,800/year on a $100K business just in merchant fees.
What if I have collections on my report?
Collections are major funding blockers. Dispute for validation first - 30-40% get removed for errors. For valid ones, negotiate pay-for-delete letters. Each removal can add 25-50 points.