With a credit score under 600 you will not meet Credit Key's published minimum. Realistic options are supplier trade credit, a secured business credit card, lenders that weigh revenue more than credit, and personal loans from lenders that serve lower scores. Expect higher costs and smaller amounts.
Options, honestly ranked
| Option | Why it can work | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier trade credit | Based on your relationship and payment record | Short terms |
| Secured business card | Your deposit backs the limit | Ties up cash |
| Revenue-based financing | Looks at sales more than score | Can be very expensive; read the total payback |
| Personal loan | Some lenders serve fair and poor credit | Higher APRs; personal liability |
Costs to check before signing
- The APR, not just a monthly or factor rate
- Total amount repaid
- Origination and late fees
- Whether early payoff saves money
- Whether a personal guarantee or lien is required
Raise the score while you borrow
Pay every account on time, bring card balances down, dispute report errors, and avoid a run of new applications. A move from the 500s into the 600s opens Credit Key and many other products.
What not to do
- Do not stack several high-cost advances at once; daily repayments compound quickly.
- Do not pay an upfront fee for a loan.
- Do not apply to many lenders in a week through hard inquiries.
- Do not borrow to cover a loss-making activity without a plan to fix it.
If debt is already unmanageable, a non-profit credit counselor can help you look at options before you add more.
Request a personal loan
Our network includes lenders that consider a range of credit profiles. There is no guarantee of an offer.
Request funding through our lender network
This form is not a Credit Key application. It sends a personal loan request to third-party lenders, who decide and disclose their own terms. No fee to request.
- Free to request
- No obligation
- Terms shown before you accept
- Not a Credit Key application
Common questions
Can I get Credit Key with a 550 score?
No, not on its published criteria, which require 600 or above.
Will a loan request hurt my credit?
Submitting a request typically does not. A lender may run a credit check, which can be a hard inquiry, before finalizing an offer.
Sources
- Credit Key — FAQs
- CFPB — What is a personal installment loan?
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Fund your business
Checked November 12, 2026. We link to primary sources so you can verify each figure yourself.