Credit Pull (Soft vs Hard)
A check of your credit; a soft pull generally does not affect your score, while a hard pull can lower it slightly.
A credit pull is a request to view your credit history, and there are two kinds. A soft pull (or soft inquiry) is used to check eligibility or show options and generally does not affect your credit score. A hard pull (hard inquiry) happens when you formally apply for credit and can ding your score by a small amount, with the effect fading over time.
For business funding, the distinction is practical. Many funders can present options based on a soft pull plus your bank data, so exploring what you might qualify for does not have to touch your score. A hard pull is usually a separate step that requires your explicit authorization — so read the consent language and know which one you are agreeing to.
This is also why cash flow underwriting matters: when approvals lean on your real bank statement activity, the credit score is one input rather than the whole decision. Operators with imperfect personal credit but strong deposits still have real options.
Frequently asked
Does checking my funding options hurt my credit score?
A soft pull used to check options generally does not affect your score. A hard pull, tied to a formal application, can lower it slightly. Confirm which one a funder is running.
When does a hard pull happen?
Typically when you formally apply and authorize it. It is usually a distinct step with its own consent, separate from a soft eligibility check.
What is the difference between a soft and hard pull?
A soft pull is a background or eligibility check that does not affect your score; a hard pull is tied to a credit application and can reduce your score by a small, temporary amount.
Related terms
An approval approach that weighs your real deposit activity and cash flow over the owner’s credit score.
Evaluating a business by reading its bank statements — deposits, balances, and account behavior — rather than relying on credit alone.
How long your business has been operating, usually measured from formation or first revenue — a core eligibility signal.
A promise by the business owner to be personally responsible for the obligation if the business cannot pay.
The requirement that funds be used for commercial purposes, not personal or household use — central to commercial financing.
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