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      White Paper

      A better way to evaluate small business credit risk

      Published September 29, 2016

      Commercial Commercial Insights Credit & Economic Trends

      If a new company has not yet established a credit history, many lenders turn to the business owner's personal credit to evaluate risk. But does personal credit alone paint an accurate picture of a new business's risk? Is there a more optimal way to determine how creditworthy a young company may be?

      To find answers, Experian® randomly selected the credit files of 2.5 million U.S. small-business owners and compared them with the records of 1 million consumers. We then looked at the credit history of both groups, as well as key demographic data such as age, education and income. We also reviewed the number of open trades, delinquencies, bankruptcies and business survival rates. The results of this research are explained in this whitepaper.

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      In this report, you’ll discover:

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      How to Prep for the Holiday Shopping Season 2026

      Get ahead of the 2026 holiday shopping season with our expert prep guide. Discover proven strategies, marketing tips, and consumer insights to maximize loyalty and retention efforts, boost customer engagement, and ensure you are top of wallet.

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