Will completing a Quick Quote or eligibility check affect our credit score?

Short answer: No — our Quick Quote won’t impact your credit score

Completing a Quick Quote or eligibility check with Best Business Loans does not affect your credit score. We do not carry out hard credit searches, and any initial matching uses information you provide plus non-intrusive checks where appropriate. A hard search would only ever happen later if you choose to proceed with a specific provider and give explicit consent.

Soft eligibility checks, when used by lenders or brokers, leave a footprint that is visible to you but does not impact your score. Hard searches, which can affect your score, are only performed by a lender or broker after you authorise a formal application.

Our role is to guide you towards suitable finance providers and reduce the need for multiple applications, helping protect your credit profile while you explore options.

What we mean by “Quick Quote” and “eligibility check”

“Quick Quote” is our fast, free enquiry that captures your business details, funding purpose, and amount required. We use those details to match you to relevant lenders or brokers who may be interested in your case.

An “eligibility check” is a preliminary assessment by us or a finance partner to see if your business broadly meets a provider’s criteria. At this stage, most providers use soft-search tools or purely data-led screening.

Neither of these steps requires a hard credit search to be run by Best Business Loans. Hard searches only occur when you decide to apply to a specific lender and provide permission.

Soft versus hard searches — the UK basics

Soft searches do not impact your credit score and are not visible to other lenders; they are only visible to you on your credit file. Examples include pre-qualification checks, price estimates, and identity verification where permitted.

Hard searches are visible to other lenders, can influence your score, and usually occur when you submit a full application for credit. Too many hard searches in a short period can be viewed as higher risk by some providers.

In the UK, the main credit reference agencies are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Providers may query one or more of these agencies as part of their decision-making process.

Last updated: October 2025

Information here is for UK businesses and reflects current market practice. Always read the specific provider’s terms before you proceed.

How credit checks apply to business finance

For limited companies and LLPs, lenders will typically review both business credit data and, in many cases, the personal credit of directors or guarantors. This is normal in UK commercial lending, especially for unsecured borrowing.

A soft search may be used first to pre-qualify, followed by a hard search only if you proceed with a formal application. This staged approach helps you assess options without unnecessary impact to your credit file.

If you operate as a sole trader, personal credit checks are more likely to be central to the decision. Please note we currently focus on established UK companies and LLPs rather than start-ups or sole traders.

When could a hard search happen?

Only after you choose to progress with a specific lender or broker and you provide consent for a full application. Your chosen provider will explain what checks are required and why.

Hard searches may occur if a personal guarantee is needed, if unsecured borrowing is requested, or if the lender’s underwriting requires a deeper look at your profile. You will always be asked to agree to this before it happens.

Where possible, many providers begin with soft checks to minimise any unnecessary impact. This is especially true for decision-in-principle stages.

Business credit, supplier checks, and director data

Alongside CRA data, providers may also review open-source information, Companies House filings, and trade payment data. These checks are standard and do not, by themselves, harm your score.

Some suppliers and insurers conduct soft-credit assessments to monitor risk when offering terms. These activities are part of normal business diligence and typically do not affect your credit rating.

Where director data is used, lenders follow strict data protection rules and require consent when moving from eligibility to full application.

Our promise on transparency

Best Business Loans will never run a hard credit search. We act as an independent introducer, using AI to match your enquiry with suitable providers in our network.

Any credit checks conducted by finance providers will be explained to you by that provider, with your consent requested before any hard search is performed. You can opt not to proceed at any time prior to a hard search.

This approach supports fair, clear, and not misleading journeys, aligning with FCA standards for financial promotions and Google’s advertising policies.

How our process protects your credit profile

We designed our enquiry flow to minimise unnecessary checks and reduce the risk of multiple hard searches with different lenders. The aim is to help you narrow options before you apply.

Here is how it typically works:

• Step 1 — Quick Quote: You submit a short, secure enquiry outlining business details and funding needs.
• Step 2 — AI Matching: Our system analyses your case against current provider criteria.
• Step 3 — Introductions: We introduce you to one or more relevant lenders or brokers who are actively lending in your sector.
• Step 4 — Eligibility Review: Providers may undertake a soft check or a document-led review to shape an initial view.
• Step 5 — Decision in Principle: Where possible, a provider issues an in-principle indication based on soft data.
• Step 6 — Full Application (Optional): You decide whether to proceed. A hard search occurs only with your explicit consent.

At each stage, you remain in control of how far you go and which provider you engage. This helps protect your score while you compare options on merits.

What information we use to match you

We consider your sector, trading history, loan purpose, amount sought, affordability signals, and assets where relevant. Accuracy here improves your match quality and reduces the risk of wasted applications.

We do not sell your data. We share your details only with relevant providers in line with your enquiry and our privacy policy.

This keeps your journey efficient, secure, and aligned with best practice.

Clear consent before any hard search

If you decide to apply to a matched provider, they will explain what type of search they need to conduct. You will need to give clear consent before any hard search is submitted.

If you prefer soft-search stages only, tell the provider at the outset and ask whether a decision in principle is possible without a hard search. Many providers can accommodate this.

If a hard search is necessary for underwriting, you can still choose whether to proceed at that point.

How to protect your score while shopping for finance

Use an introducer like Best Business Loans to avoid “shotgunning” applications. This reduces duplicated hard searches across multiple providers.

Ask providers to confirm whether they will run a soft or hard search, and at which stage. Request a decision in principle using a soft search where available.

Keep your information consistent across enquiries. Inconsistencies can trigger more questions and checks, adding friction to the process.

Simple steps to keep your profile strong

• Check your business and personal credit files with Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion before applying.
• Dispute inaccuracies and keep Companies House filings up to date.
• Pay suppliers and existing credit on time to build a positive payment history.
• Avoid making multiple full applications at once; compare in principle first.
• Provide up-to-date management accounts and bank statements to reduce uncertainty.
• Be clear on your funding purpose and repayment plan to speed underwriting.

If you operate in a regulated professional service — for example, legal practices — you may wish to read our sector guidance on loans for solicitors and law firms. Sector context can influence which providers are the best fit.

By taking these steps, you can preserve your score while moving quickly towards suitable funding.

Common myths about credit checks

Myth: Any eligibility check will hurt your credit. Reality: Soft checks do not affect your score.

Myth: It’s better to apply everywhere at once to “see what sticks.” Reality: Multiple hard searches can reduce your options and weaken your position.

Myth: All business loans require personal hard checks. Reality: Requirements vary by product and lender; many begin with soft or document-led pre-qualification.

Important: Best Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender

We help you find suitable lenders and brokers; we do not offer loans directly or make credit decisions. Eligibility and approval remain at the discretion of the finance provider.

We focus on established UK businesses and do not currently support start-ups, sole traders, franchises, property finance, or commercial mortgages. Our service is free to enquire and without obligation.

Your information is handled securely and shared only with relevant providers connected to your enquiry.

FAQs, compliance and key takeaways

Will completing a Quick Quote affect my credit score?

No. Our Quick Quote does not involve a hard search and will not affect your score. We use your data to match you with relevant providers without impacting your file.

Do you run any credit search at the eligibility stage?

We do not run hard searches. Some providers may run soft checks to pre-qualify, which do not affect your score. You will be asked for consent before any hard search.

When does a hard search happen?

Only when you choose to make a full application to a specific lender or broker and give permission. The provider will explain the check and request your consent first.

Do soft searches show on my file?

Yes, you can see them, but other lenders typically cannot, and they do not impact your credit score. They are used for pre-qualification and pricing indications.

Will multiple eligibility checks damage my score?

No, if they are soft checks. However, multiple hard searches in a short period may impact your score and underwriting outcomes. Use decisions in principle before applying.

What can I do to protect my credit profile?

Use a single enquiry with an introducer, request soft-search decisions in principle, keep data consistent, and avoid multiple full applications at once. Maintain timely payments and accurate filings.

Is this financial advice?

No. This content is for information only and not financial advice. Always review provider terms or seek professional advice where needed.

Are your promotions compliant?

We aim to ensure all communications are fair, clear, and not misleading, aligning with FCA financial promotion standards and Google’s financial services policies. We are an independent introducer and do not approve or issue regulated financial products.

How does Best Business Loans make money?

Where applicable, we may receive an introducer fee from a provider if you proceed. This does not affect your rate and we remain transparent about our role.

Who do you help?

Established UK companies and LLPs across sectors including manufacturing, logistics, construction, healthcare, retail, and professional services. We don’t currently support start-ups, sole traders, franchises, property finance, or commercial mortgages.

Key takeaways

• Our Quick Quote and eligibility checks do not affect your credit score.
• Soft searches don’t impact your score; hard searches can, but only with your consent when you apply.
• We help you compare options first, reducing the need for multiple hard searches.
• You control when and if a hard search takes place.
• Use soft-search decisions in principle to protect your credit profile while exploring funding.

Next step: Get your free Quick Quote

It takes minutes to start and there’s no obligation. Our AI-led matching helps you find providers who understand your sector and funding goals.

Complete your Quick Quote today to see what you could be eligible for — without affecting your credit score. If you choose to proceed later, your chosen provider will always request consent before any hard search.

Business finance made simpler, faster, and clearer — with your credit profile protected at every stage.