What credit score do I need for equipment financing as a startup?

For startups, the minimum personal FICO score required by Marcas for equipment financing is 700 (marcascapital.com).

Typical credit score thresholds

Most equipment financing programs require a personal credit score of 580 or higher (biz2credit.com).

Preferred credit score for equipment financing is 650 or higher, with stronger applicants often having 680 or higher (topmarkfunding.com).

Funding partners in July 2026 report approximate minimum credit scores in the high‑500s to low‑600s, depending on the program and transaction (verifunding.com).

• Ask the lender to confirm the minimum personal credit score they require for a startup.

• Write down the score range each lender offers and note any differences for specific equipment types.

Review How Do I Get Equipment Financing for a Startup Construction Business? while preparing questions for the lender.

How score impacts pricing

In 2026, equipment financing rates for A‑tier borrowers (FICO 720+ with at least two years in business) range from 7% to 9% APR (axiantpartners.com).

Mid‑tier borrowers (FICO 640‑719) see rates between 10% and 14% APR in 2026 (axiantpartners.com).

Borrowers with credit below 640 face rates of 15% to 22% APR, typically from specialty lenders (axiantpartners.com).

• Request a sample APR quote for your current credit score from each lender.

• Record the quoted rates alongside the lender’s credit tier to see how your score influences cost.

Review Getting Equipment Financing with No Revenue History: Alternative Paths 2026 while preparing questions for the lender.

Improving your eligibility

As of October 2026, equipment financing rates run 6%–14% APR for borrowers with 700+ FICO scores (baystreetlending.com).

APR ranges for 720+ credit on hard‑asset equipment are roughly 6% to 10% in 2026 (ranfunding.com).

Borrowers with credit scores 600–639 typically see APRs of 18% to 28% for equipment financing (ranfunding.com).

• Ask the lender which credit‑building actions (e.g., paying down credit cards) would move you into a better tier.

• Create a timeline for improving your score and note when you can re‑apply.

Documentation you’ll need

Established businesses can access equipment financing programs starting around a 600 FICO score (fivewestfinancial.com).

• Ask the lender to list the documents it wants to review and write down where to submit them.

Disclosures

This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. contractorequipmentloans.com may receive compensation from partner lenders, which may influence which products are featured.

Sources

• marcascapital.com
• biz2credit.com
• topmarkfunding.com
• verifunding.com
• axiantpartners.com
• baystreetlending.com
• ranfunding.com
• fivewestfinancial.com