Credit & Fundability Assessment Standard Operating Procedure
This comprehensive SOP outlines our structured approach to evaluating client credit profiles and funding readiness. We'll guide you through our systematic process for assessing both personal and business credit health, identifying strategic opportunities, and developing actionable capital-building plans tailored to each client's unique situation.
Our proven methodology ensures consistent, high-quality assessments that maximize funding potential while addressing critical vulnerabilities in credit profiles before approaching lenders.

by Dexter Crawford

Purpose & Objectives
Structured Review
Conduct thorough analysis of credit profiles
Determine Readiness
Assess current funding eligibility
Create Capital Plan
Develop strategic roadmap for improvement
This SOP provides a framework for performing comprehensive credit and fundability assessments for our clients. By following a consistent, methodical approach, we can accurately evaluate current credit standings, identify both strengths and weaknesses, and create targeted action plans to improve funding readiness.
Scope of Assessment
Process Boundaries
Assessment begins after client intake forms and required logins are received. It concludes when the completed assessment and strategic plan are delivered to the client. This provides clear start and end points for the process.
Included Activities
  • Comprehensive review of credit profiles across NAV, FairFigure, DnB and other platforms
  • Identification of critical red flags and strategic leverage points
  • Development of customized action plans with timing estimates and goals
Excluded Activities
  • Execution of credit repair actions (covered in separate SOP)
  • Specific lender application processes (covered in Capital Execution SOP)
Roles & Responsibilities
Clear role definition ensures accountability throughout the assessment process. Currently, the CFO handles the entire credit review and analysis process, with plans to delegate administrative tracking to a future team member once capacity allows.
The CFO's specialized expertise in credit strategy is essential for identifying nuanced opportunities and developing tailored funding roadmaps. Future expansion will maintain this expertise while streamlining documentation.
Required Tools & Resources
NAV
Prime tier preferred for comprehensive personal credit data and funding suggestions
FairFigure
Premium tier recommended for detailed business credit insights and bureau updates
DnB Insights
Essential for Paydex score monitoring and business risk assessment
Tracking Systems
Google Sheet Tracker (Client Credit Profile tab) for documentation
Additional optional tools include eCredable for alternative credit data and Experian Business (with manual refresh capabilities) for supplementary business credit information. Access to premium tiers of primary platforms ensures the most accurate and comprehensive assessment data.
Assessment Criteria
Personal Credit (NAV)
  • FICO score range (target: 750+)
  • Open collections status (paid/unpaid)
  • Payment history (goal: 0 late payments in 12 months)
  • Credit utilization percentage
  • Average account age and credit mix
  • Available funding offers displayed in NAV
Business Credit
  • D&B Paydex score (target: 80+)
  • Number of reporting tradelines (goal: 6+ across bureaus)
  • Active vs. terminated UCC filings
  • Industry risk classification impact
  • Business data consistency across credit bureaus
These criteria provide standardized benchmarks for evaluating client credit profiles. The specific target metrics have been selected based on lender preferences and funding approval patterns, ensuring our recommendations align with actual market requirements.
Procedural Steps
Access Client Platforms
Log into client's NAV, FairFigure, DnB, and Experian Business accounts (10-15 minutes)
Document Key Metrics
Record critical scores and factors into Credit Tracker tab or notes (30 minutes)
Flag Critical Issues
Identify red flags and compile list of repair items (15 minutes)
Identify Funding Options
Note eligible or potential lenders suggested by platforms (10 minutes)
Create Action Plan
Draft comprehensive credit improvement strategy and timeline (30 minutes)
Deliver Assessment
Send plan via email or client deliverable folder (10 minutes)
Version Control
1.0
Initial Version
Created May 11, 2025 by Dexter Crawford
6
Monthly Reviews
Scheduled evaluations of SOP effectiveness
2
Planned Major Updates
Annual comprehensive revisions to procedures
Maintaining accurate version control ensures all team members follow the most current procedures. The initial SOP draft was based on the Sanford model for financial operations standardization, providing a solid foundation for our assessment methodology.
Future versions will incorporate lessons learned from implementation and adapt to evolving credit market conditions and lender requirements.
Review & Update Schedule
Bi-Annual Review
Comprehensive evaluation every 6 months
Update Procedures
Revise based on findings and market changes
Validate Changes
Test effectiveness with sample assessments
Document Results
Record improvements and implementation notes
Last reviewed on May 11, 2025, with next review scheduled for November 11, 2025. Updates will incorporate new credit platforms, changing lender preferences, and evolving scoring methodologies to maintain assessment accuracy and funding success rates.
Best Practices & Implementation Tips
Confirm Before Proceeding
Do not advance to funding steps until the credit plan has been reviewed and confirmed with client to ensure alignment of expectations
Reverse Engineer Success
Utilize NAV and FairFigure's funding suggestions to identify and target specific lender requirements that shape the improvement plan
Set Clear Minimums
Always include specific benchmarks such as "At least 6 tradelines reporting across all 3 bureaus" to provide actionable targets
Track Reporting Cycles
Review tradeline reporting schedules, noting that most post by the 1st of the month, to accurately time funding applications
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