Get your business loan readiness score and a plan to improve it.

What your score looks at

Five things lenders commonly check

These are among the main things lenders commonly look at when they review a small business loan. Lenders also weigh things this tool doesn’t check, such as collateral, the purpose of the loan, your business plan and economic conditions.

• Cash flow coverage

  Does your business earn enough to make the loan payments, with room to spare? Lenders check this first, so if your income doesn't cover the payments, your result is capped however strong the rest is.

• Owner investment

  How much of your own money is going into the business or project?

• Personal credit

  For most small businesses, the owner's credit history matters as much as the business's.

• Industry experience

  Have you run or worked in this kind of business before?

• Net worth

  Your personal net worth, and your business's tangible net worth if you have statements, show what you could fall back on.

Sample result

What a result looks like

Fictional example: a landscaping company asking for $80,000 for equipment. Score: 74/100, Possible, with some work.

• Strong: 8 years of experience in the industry, good personal credit, and personal net worth above the loan amount.
• Holding it back: cash flow covers the payments, but only barely. The owner is putting in less than 10% of the cost.
• Things to work on: a larger down payment, or a smaller first loan. Bring a seasonal cash flow forecast to the meeting.

Education only. Loan Ready isn't a loan decision or a prediction of one. Every lender sets its own criteria and makes its own decision.

Who built it

Built by a commercial banker

Loan Ready was built by a commercial banker with more than 25 years of banking experience. Over my career I’ve seen many good businesses turned down for things they could have fixed months earlier. This tool shows how your numbers compare with what lenders commonly look for, before you sit down with one.

Loan Ready is an independent product and isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by any bank, credit union or other lender. Education only. Loan Ready isn't a loan decision or a prediction of one. Every lender sets its own criteria and makes its own decision.

From the blog

Straight answers from across the desk

• October 29, 2026

  How Do Lenders Evaluate My Business? A Commercial Banker's Honest Answer

  A commercial banker explains what lenders look at first, why missing paperwork slows your loan, and what to do before you apply.

• October 26, 2026

  How to Prepare Your Business for a Loan

  Banks are 3-to-1 cash flow lenders that look for a second way out. A commercial banker explains what that means and how to get your business ready to borrow.

See all posts

Who it’s for

For owners who want to walk in prepared

Startup founders and small business owners across Canada (outside Quebec) who are getting ready to apply for a bank loan, a credit union loan or a Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) loan. Loan Ready isn’t affiliated with the Government of Canada or the CSBFP.

• Starting a business

  Find out what lenders commonly expect before you write the business plan, not after.

• Growing one

  Planning equipment, a renovation, more stock or a second location? Check that the numbers carry the payment.

• Turned down before

  See which factors may be holding you back, and what to work on before you try again.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is a loan readiness score?

A score out of 100 that shows how your business numbers compare with what lenders commonly look for, plus the specific things to work on. It's educational: it isn't a loan decision or a prediction of one.

Will a bank approve me if I score well?

Not necessarily. Every bank and credit union has its own rules and makes its own decision, and lenders also weigh things this tool doesn't check, such as collateral and your business plan. A high score means your numbers meet most of the common benchmarks this tool checks, not that you're approved.

Does checking my score affect my credit?

No. You choose your credit score range yourself. We never pull your credit report or contact a credit bureau, so nothing shows up with TransUnion or Equifax.

What if I don't have financial statements?

Choose "I don't have financial statements" and answer the questions with your best estimates. Startups use this option. Business net worth is then left out of your score.

Is my financial information stored?

The figures you type in, like revenue, expenses and debts, are used to calculate your result and are not stored. If you choose to upload your financial statements (up to three files; tax returns, bank statements and personal statements of affairs are not accepted), you give consent for the files you choose in that upload, and an AI service reads them (Floot sends them directly to OpenAI; this happens outside Canada, and OpenAI's processing isn't limited to one country. OpenAI does not train on them but may keep a copy for up to 30 days to detect abuse, longer only if the law requires; see our Privacy Policy). Each file is deleted from our storage once it has been read. The figures read from them are deleted when you confirm or withdraw them, or within 24 hours at the latest, and we email you before that deadline. You can choose Withdraw and delete at any time. We keep your account details and a record of each assessment's date and result band. If you came to Loan Ready through a partner, your results are kept as described in the Partner-Client Terms you'll be asked to accept. We never sell your information, and we never share your name or results with a lender unless you give explicit permission. If you came through a partner that is a lender, such as a credit union, you'll be told before you choose to share.

How much does it cost?

Each calculation is paid for on its own, by card, with no subscription. If you enter all the figures yourself, a calculation is $4.99 CAD. If you upload your financial statements so our AI reads the figures for you, it is $10.99 CAD, and you can upload up to three files (for example a separate income statement, balance sheet and debt schedule) for that one calculation. A purchase may qualify for a refund within 14 days if you have not clicked Calculate, less the payment processing fee. Once you click Calculate, it is not refundable. Refund requests are reviewed and completed by email.

What do I need to have ready?

Rough figures for your monthly revenue, expenses and existing debt payments, the loan amount and what it's for, your credit score range, and what you personally own and owe. Financial statements help but aren't required. If you upload, use an income statement, balance sheet or debt schedule; tax returns, bank statements and personal statements of affairs are refused.

How long does it take?

Most people finish in about 10 to 15 minutes.

Is it only for one province?

No. Loan Ready is available to businesses in every province and territory except Quebec. It's in English only for now.

What's a good score?

80 and up: your numbers meet most common lender benchmarks. 55 to 79: one or two areas to work on. Under 55: work on the basics first. Cash flow comes first: if your income doesn't cover the loan payments, your result is capped however strong the rest is. Education only. Loan Ready isn't a loan decision or a prediction of one. Every lender sets its own criteria and makes its own decision.

Who is behind Loan Ready?

Loan Ready is built by 5 Cs Business Solutions Inc., a New Brunswick, Canada company that helps small-business owners prepare for financing. It's an independent product and isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any bank, credit union or other lender.