For starters, make sure all your finances are in the best order they can be before you apply. This includes your credit score, but also make sure you’re absolutely ready to take the loan on.

Check up on your own credit score now to see where you’re at. CreditWise by Capital One is free and lets you check your credit score and full report - as well as helping you see what’s actually impacting it. It’s worth bearing in mind that your credit score won’t be affected by this, regardless of how many times you check it.

Once you know where you stand, and you’re ready to take on a loan, you can decide if your score’s in a strong enough shape to take the next step. Being turned down for a loan or credit card can impact your score, as can a lot of applications to lenders, so make sure you’re in the best possible position before applying.

If your score isn’t looking great, a bonus of CreditWise is that you’ll get to see what’s actually impacting it. This should help you understand some steps you can take to start improving your score over time, putting you in a better place before you apply for your loan.

Good luck!

Credit Score Surgery: How do I prove I’m reliable when I’m applying for a business loan?