eBook
Published June 14, 2023
Commercial Credit Education Small Business Financial InclusionAre you a small business owner navigating the process of establishing your business credit profile?
Experian is here with a helpful guide about business credit and how it works to help you on your journey. From understanding how business credit scores and Reports are originated, to employing best practices for building up a strong business credit report, the Experian Blueprint is here to assist you every step of the way.
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Video
Under Pressure: How Rising Food Costs Are Changing Restaurant Credit Behavior
Experian’s latest Commercial Pulse Report dives into the financial health of the restaurant sector amid rising costs and shifting consumer behavior.
Key insights:
- Menu prices at Full-Service Restaurants rose 4.6% in August — outpacing inflation.
- Limited-Service Restaurants are showing improved credit risk scores, suggesting stronger adaptability.
- Credit access is tightening across the board, with average credit limits falling below $6,000.
- Revolving credit utilization is climbing — an early signal of potential cash flow strain.
What does this mean for lenders and decision makers?
✅ Not all restaurant types face the same risks.
✅ Segmenting credit strategies is more important than ever.
✅ Watch utilization and inquiry trends closely — they may be early indicators of distress.
Check out the full report to see how these trends could impact your strategy!
Video
Credit Signals in Construction: Early Warnings for Lenders and Risk Leaders
The construction industry has experienced significant growth over the last seven years, but fresh data reveals mounting signs of financial stress that commercial lenders and Chief Risk Officers should be closely monitoring.
Check out the full report to see how these trends could impact your strategy!
Case Study
Leveraging cash flow data across diverse borrowers
Our use cases share real-world examples of how cash flow insights help grow portfolios responsibly while expanding credit access. Explore scenarios across borrower types, including:
- Gig workers and freelancers with fluctuating income
- Small business owners with nontraditional cash flow patterns
- Thin-file and new-to-credit consumers lacking traditional credit history
- Subprime borrowers demonstrating positive financial behavior
Video
How Small Businesses Have Changed Since the Pandemic
According to Experian’s latest Commercial Pulse Report, business formation remains strong:
- 471,000 new business applications were filed in July alone
- Between 2018 and 2023, the number of new businesses establishing commercial credit rose by 38%
- New businesses today look more financially stable than those from earlier years
What’s driving this resilience?
👉 Faster tech adoption
👉 Hybrid business models
👉 Stronger financial fundamentals
The pandemic forced small businesses to transform at record speed. Now, they’re leveraging those lessons to build smarter, more adaptable enterprises.
Check out the full report to see how these trends could impact your strategy!