Do you carry out hard credit checks, or only the providers I choose?

Q: Do you carry out hard credit checks, or only the providers I choose?

Best Business Loans does not perform hard credit checks. We may run soft checks to validate information and match you to lenders, and only the lender or broker you choose will run a hard credit check after you provide explicit consent.

Short answer

Best Business Loans does not run hard credit checks on your business or its directors as part of our introduction service. We may use soft searches or internal validation checks to match you with suitable lenders or brokers, and any lender or broker you decide to engage with may perform a hard credit check—but only with your explicit consent. Submit a Quick Quote to get a clear, step-by-step eligibility overview before any provider runs a hard search.

What Best Business Loans does and does not do

We are an introducer and matching platform: we help UK businesses find suitable lenders and brokers using AI-driven matching and an experienced network. We are not a lender and we do not make lending decisions or issue finance ourselves. That means we do not initiate hard credit searches in your name as part of our standard matching process.

To shortlist possible providers we may use non-invasive validation and soft credit checks to verify business identity, credit file presence, or basic trading history. These soft checks are designed to reduce wasted applications and improve match accuracy without affecting your credit score. Any hard credit checks are carried out by lenders or brokers later in the process and only with your authorisation.

Soft checks versus hard checks: what each means

A soft credit check (or soft search) provides basic information on whether an account or credit file exists and may include affordability indicators. Soft checks do not leave a footprint on your credit file visible to other lenders, and they do not affect credit scores. We may use soft checks to help our AI match your profile to lenders that are actively lending to businesses like yours.

A hard credit check (or hard search) is a more detailed search performed by a lender or broker when you apply for finance or when a Decision in Principle (DIP) is requested. Hard searches are recorded on your business or director credit file and can be seen by other lenders reviewing a future application. Multiple hard searches in a short period can be interpreted by some credit reference agencies as increased lending risk, which may temporarily influence credit decisions.

How our matching and eligibility process works in practice

Step 1: Complete a Quick Quote on our site. We ask a few simple questions about your business, loan purpose and approximate funding requirements so our AI can find suitable matches. This Quick Quote is quick and non-binding and typically triggers only soft validation checks.

Step 2: We match you to lenders and brokers that fit your profile, and we explain what each provider will do next. You remain in control: we will not share your details with a lender or broker you have not agreed to contact. When a provider needs to progress to a formal application or a DIP, they will ask for your explicit consent to run a hard credit check.

Step 3: Providers ask for permission before hard searches. This is usually done at the point you accept a loan illustration, sign an application form, or approve a DIP. Brokers sometimes run a limited hard search on behalf of a lender with your written permission; lenders normally explain the consequences before proceeding. If you prefer, you can instruct a broker or lender to carry out additional pre-qualification that uses soft checks only.

Decision in Principle (DIP) and pre-qualification

A DIP gives a provisional indication of whether a lender would be likely to provide credit and often requires a hard search. Pre-qualification or soft-PDI alternatives exist with some lenders, and we will highlight these where available. Ask the provider to confirm whether a search will be hard or soft before you agree to progress.

Protecting your credit score and practical tips

If you are concerned about hard searches, tell us when you submit your Quick Quote and ask us to prioritise lenders who offer soft pre-qualification. We can also connect you with brokers who are comfortable using soft checks first and only progressing to hard searches once you are confident in the match. Clear communication with any lender or broker is the best way to control when a hard search happens.

Practical steps to minimise impact: consolidate applications within a short window with the same type of lender, ask for soft pre-qualification where offered, and get a Decision in Principle that minimises multiple hard searches. Keep records of which provider asked for what, and request written confirmation of any hard search before it is performed. This approach helps maintain a clean credit profile while still getting the information you need to decide.

For asset-specific funding such as equipment finance, our matching system will show providers who commonly work with machinery and vehicle loans and will state whether they typically perform soft or hard checks at early stages. You can read more about equipment finance options here: https://bestbusinessloans.ai/loan/equipment-finance/.

Compliance, transparency and next steps

We follow industry best practice on transparency and data handling and are committed to offering fair, clear and non-misleading information. Although Best Business Loans is not an FCA-regulated lender, we respect FCA, ASA and Google advertising standards in our communications and ensure you receive the information required to make an informed decision. We will always make clear if a lender or broker is likely to perform a hard search and ask for your consent before any such check.

Before you proceed, ask for a written summary from any provider that explains the type of search, the credit reference agencies they use, and the likely impact on your credit file. If you are unsure about wording or consent, contact our support team for clarity before you give permission. We also recommend securing a Quick Quote so you can see likely matches and understand when a hard credit check may be requested.

Key takeaways

Best Business Loans does not perform hard credit checks as part of our matching service.
We may use soft checks or validation to improve matches; these do not affect your credit score.
Lenders or brokers will request hard checks only with your explicit consent, usually at application or DIP stage.
Ask providers for soft pre-qualification, written confirmation before searches, and clarity on credit reference agencies used.
Submit a Quick Quote to get matched and to see which providers offer soft pre-qualification and which typically require hard searches.

Next step — Get a Quick Quote

If you want to explore options without risking hard searches right away, start with our Quick Quote. The Quick Quote takes a couple of minutes, uses soft validation, and gives you an eligibility snapshot before any provider is allowed to perform a hard credit check. Complete the form to receive tailored matches and clear guidance on when and why a hard credit search would be requested.

Need help choosing providers who avoid hard searches early on? Contact our UK support team at hello@bestbusinessloans.ai for guidance. We can explain typical lender behaviours, broker approaches and help you control when any hard credit checks happen.

Best Business Loans helps UK SMEs navigate business finance choices confidently, without carrying out hard credit checks ourselves. Start your Quick Quote today to see matched providers, understand their search practices, and remain fully in control of every credit decision.

Last updated: October 2025