Business Loans Australia :: Articles

5 Credit Killers

What are the top factors that can damage your credit score?

5 Credit Killers

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

A good credit score speaks volumes about your financial habits. It's the evidence most creditors need to evaluate your credit worthiness.
Interestingly, there are some credit killers that even people maintaining good credit scores would unwittingly be a part of, which will be their undoing when applying for credit facilities in the future.
These mistakes may seem to be insignificant, but when the time comes, you may face more problems than you expect.

Avoiding Debt

Creditors need to evaluate your financial history to approve any credit facilities.
If you have no previous or existing debts, it might adversely affect your case, as creditors have no way of checking out how you'll handle the credit you get from them.

Shopping For Rates

Looking around for the best rate may actually turn out to be bad.
Too many inquiries within a short period could damage your credit score.
Usually, if you do more than 3 or 4 inquiries within a single month, you are likely to scare the lenders. For the same reasons, transferring the balances on your credit cards could be a bad idea as well.

Assuming There's a Grace Period

If you are late on a payment by even one day, you are late, period.
Never assume there's a grace period for late payments, because it only affects your credit score negatively.

Closing Old Accounts

Because your relevant transaction history also gets erased when you close your old accounts, your credit history is shortened and it may lower your credit score.
If you want to close your old accounts, close everything except the oldest account, which will leave a longer history.

Co-signing Loans

The obvious problem here is that the primary borrower's mistakes will end up on your credit report as well.

Business Loans Australia Weekly News Briefing

Podcast Cover Image This week: the RBA lifted the cash rate to about 4.85% on Tuesday, pushing up variable business borrowing costs. David Jones entered voluntary administration on Thursday, highlighting retail stress and supplier risk. A parliamentary inquiry is examining a proposed 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts, with calls to grandfather firms under $10m turnover. And more SMEs plan Black Friday promotions, but many rely on credit for stock and lack margin discipline. Takeaways: refresh repayment estimates, tighten credit control, scenario‑plan trust structures, and model cash flow for sales events. Visit business‑loans.com.au for guides and calculators.

Published: Sunday, 1st Aug 2021
Author: Paige Estritori

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.


Business Loans Articles

How to Compare Business Loan Features Before You Apply
How to Compare Business Loan Features Before You Apply
Comparing business loan features is an important part of understanding the different finance options available to your business. Loan products vary between lenders, with differences in interest rates, fees, repayment terms, borrowing limits and eligibility criteria. - read more
Equipment Leasing for Australian Businesses: Cash Flow, Costs and Key Considerations
Equipment Leasing for Australian Businesses: Cash Flow, Costs and Key Considerations
Equipment leasing can help Australian businesses access vehicles, machinery, technology or other essential assets without paying the full purchase price upfront. This guide explains how leasing works, how it may affect cash flow and budgeting, and what to consider before choosing a lease arrangement. - read more
Business Liquidity Financing Options in Australia
Business Liquidity Financing Options in Australia
Liquidity is a vital part of business financial health. It describes how readily a business can meet short-term obligations, manage cash flow and respond to changing conditions without unnecessary financial strain. - read more
Business Loan Refinancing and Sustainable Business Growth
Business Loan Refinancing and Sustainable Business Growth
Business loan refinancing involves replacing existing debt with a new loan under different terms. For Australian businesses, refinancing may help improve cash flow, simplify debt management or align repayments with longer-term growth plans, but the costs and trade-offs need to be assessed carefully. - read more
Breaking Down Barriers: How to Overcome Delays in Business Loan Approvals
Breaking Down Barriers: How to Overcome Delays in Business Loan Approvals
Embarking on a business endeavor often requires substantial financial support, and securing a business loan can be a crucial step towards progress and expansion. A well-prepared loan application not only showcases your business in its best light but also significantly enhances the prospects of obtaining the needed funds. Attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the lending process can streamline your journey to approval. - read more
Business Loan Eligibility Criteria in Australia: What Lenders Commonly Assess
Business Loan Eligibility Criteria in Australia: What Lenders Commonly Assess
Business loan eligibility in Australia depends on a lender's assessment of your business finances, credit profile, repayment capacity, loan purpose, security and supporting documents. Understanding these common criteria can help you prepare before applying. - read more
Personal Guarantees and Security for Business Loans in Australia
Personal Guarantees and Security for Business Loans in Australia
Personal guarantees, collateral and security interests can affect both a business and the people behind it. This guide explains key risk concepts Australian SME owners, sole traders and company directors should understand before signing a business loan agreement. - read more

Finance News

SME Borrowing Rebound Puts Planning Ahead of Panic
SME Borrowing Rebound Puts Planning Ahead of Panic
04 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori
Australian SME borrowing activity appears to have regained momentum, with newly reported Banjo Loans Barometer data for the quarter to 30 September 2026 pointing to stronger loan applications, more loans drawn and a continued focus on cash buffers. The result is notable because it follows months of more cautious borrowing signals from parts of the small business market, and suggests many firms are not simply waiting for conditions to improve before reviewing their funding position. - read more
SMEs Turn to Non-Bank Funding as Investment Plans Hold Up
SMEs Turn to Non-Bank Funding as Investment Plans Hold Up
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori
Australian SMEs planning their next round of investment are increasingly looking beyond traditional bank funding, with new ScotPac SME Growth Index findings reported by Inside Small Business on 22 October 2026 showing non-bank finance has reached a record share of intended funding use. The result is a notable signal for business owners and finance managers: the question is no longer simply whether credit is available, but which structure best matches the timing, risk and cash flow profile of the business. - read more
Business Confidence Signals Put Loan Readiness Back in Focus
Business Confidence Signals Put Loan Readiness Back in Focus
16 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori
Latest Australian business survey reporting is sending a practical message to owners and finance managers: trading conditions may be holding up in parts of the economy, but confidence remains fragile. For SMEs, that mix matters. When revenue is uneven, input costs are sticky and customers are cautious, the timing and structure of new borrowing can become just as important as the headline interest rate. - read more
Why ATO Interest Changes Matter for Business Borrowers
Why ATO Interest Changes Matter for Business Borrowers
09 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori
A tax change now working through Australian business finances deserves close attention from owners, directors and finance managers. Since 1 July 2025, the ATO’s general interest charge and shortfall interest charge have no longer been tax-deductible. For businesses carrying overdue tax or correcting underpaid obligations, that can lift the effective after-tax cost of falling behind. - read more
Payday Super Puts Payroll Timing Under the Finance Microscope
Payday Super Puts Payroll Timing Under the Finance Microscope
02 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori
Australia’s move towards Payday Super is more than a compliance update for employers. For many small and medium-sized businesses, it changes the rhythm of payroll-related cash outflows and places a sharper focus on whether day-to-day liquidity is strong enough to meet obligations as they fall due. - read more
Specialist SME Lending Remains Open, But Discipline Matters
Specialist SME Lending Remains Open, But Discipline Matters
26 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Latest market reporting around specialist SME lender Judo Bank points to a business credit market that is not shutting down, but is becoming more deliberate. The lender’s continued focus on relationship-led lending, deposits and small to medium-sized business borrowers suggests demand for finance remains present among firms with clear plans and serviceable cash flow. - read more
Payment Timing Keeps Pressure on SME Working Capital
Payment Timing Keeps Pressure on SME Working Capital
19 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Fresh small business indicators are again pointing to a familiar challenge for Australian SMEs: trading activity may continue, but the timing of cash receipts is still creating pressure. Recent industry commentary has highlighted uneven payment behaviour, cautious customer spending and a more deliberate approach to investment among smaller firms. For owners and finance managers, that combination can make working capital planning just as important as sales growth. - read more


Knowledgebase
Interest Rate:
A rate which is charged or paid for the use of money. An interest rate is often expressed as an annual percentage of the principal. It is calculated by dividing the amount of interest by the amount of principal. Interest rates often change as a resul