White Paper
Published October 20, 2015
Commercial Commercial InsightsWhen attempting to determine a small business's credit risk, which is more useful, the company's credit history or its owner's? For decades, conventional wisdom has held that a business owner's personal credit history alone can be used to judge his or her company's creditworthiness. Many lenders have tended to see small businesses and Small Business owners as one and the same, their funds so frequently commingled as to make the two entities virtually indistinguishable. However, this strategy is not always successful. A business owner with good personal credit still can have a failing company, and someone whose personal credit is messy still can own a successful business. Since a bad call can cost a creditor thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of dollars, Experian® decided to test the conventional wisdom for itself.
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Webinar
Q2 2025 Quarterly Business Credit Review Webinar
Experian’s Brodie Oldham, VP of Commercial Data Science, and Marsha Silverman, Strategic Analytic Consultant revealed several insights on how small businesses are performing during the Q2 Quarterly Business Credit Review.
During the webinar we asked the audience:
- Which macroeconomic factor is having the greatest impact on small business credit conditions this year?
- What actions if any have you taken in 2025 in response to additional tariff?
- How are small businesses adapting to tighter credit conditions in 2025?
Why you should watch:
- Leading Experts on Commercial and Macro-Economic Trends
- Credit insights and trends on 30+ Million active businesses
- Industry Hot Topics Covered (Inclusive of Business Owner and Small Business Data)
- Commercial Insights you cannot get anywhere else
- Peer Insights with Interactive Polls (Participate)
- Discover and understand small business trends to make informed decisions
- Actionable takeaways based on recent credit performance
Video
Student Loan Debt’s Growing Impact on Small Business Credit Health
Outstanding student loan debt in the U.S. has reached an all-time high of $1.63 trillion, and the ripple effects are being felt far beyond the personal finance arena. This unprecedented debt burden is now shaping the way many small business owners borrow, manage credit, and maintain financial stability.
Check out the full report to see how these trends could impact your strategy!
Video
Leisure & Hospitality Sector Faces Diverging Credit Realities Amid Summer Surge
As temperatures rise across the U.S., so does the nation’s appetite for travel—and the Leisure & Hospitality sector is feeling the heat. In this week’s Commercial Pulse Report, we examine how soaring consumer demand intersects with evolving credit conditions for businesses in travel, lodging, and transportation.
Check out the full report to see how these trends could impact your strategy!
Video
Used Cars Surge as Credit Tightens: The Auto Industry’s Balancing Act
As the automotive sector adapts to rising vehicle prices, shifting consumer behavior, and persistent inflation, the ripple effects are clearly visible in commercial credit activity. Experian’s latest Commercial Pulse Report (July 22, 2025) dives deep into the evolving credit dynamics within the auto industry—and one trend is clear: credit access is contracting across nearly every segment.
Check out the full report to see how these trends could impact your strategy!