SME Credit Readiness Gap Audit — 25-Point Checklist

Digital Transaction Footprint

Lenders need 6–12 months of consistent, readable transaction history

0 / 6

1I process sales through a registered POS terminal (not cash-only)

2My POS terminal is registered under my business CAC name, not a personal name

3I receive supplier or customer payments through a dedicated business bank account

4I use MoMo or mobile money transfers for business transactions regularly

5My business bank account shows at least 6 months of consistent inflows

6My monthly revenue pattern is consistent — not lumpy or irregular without explanation

Business Identity & Compliance

Lenders verify legal existence before they read any transaction data

0 / 5

7My business is registered with CAC (Business Name or Limited Liability)

8I have a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from FIRS

9My CAC registration name matches the name on my business bank account exactly

10I have a valid BVN linked to my business account

11My business address on CAC records matches where I actually operate

Financial Records

AI credit models need structured financial data — not just raw transactions

0 / 6

12I can produce 6 months of bank statements on request within 24 hours

13I record sales and expenses consistently (spreadsheet, app, or accounting software)

14I can state my average monthly revenue for the last 6 months without checking first

15I know my average monthly operating costs for the last 6 months

16I use an accounting tool (QuickBooks, Sage, Wave, or similar — even basic)

17I have no unresolved loan defaults or court judgments against my business

Supplier & Customer Payment Patterns

Cashflow-based lenders analyse how money moves — not just totals

0 / 5

18I pay key suppliers through digital channels (bank transfer, MoMo, or POS)

19My customers pay me digitally at least 50% of the time

20I have repeat customers who transact with me regularly (monthly or more)

21My payment cycles are predictable — I can forecast inflows a month ahead

22I do not make large unexplained cash withdrawals immediately after deposits

Open Banking & Lender Access

New lenders can only read data you've made accessible — consent is required

0 / 3

23I understand what open banking is and how lenders use it to assess SME credit

24I have used or am open to using a CBN-licensed digital lending platform

25I would consent to a lender reading 12 months of my transaction history

What Your Score Means

Total: 25 points

0–9

Foundation Missing

CAC registration and a dedicated business bank account are the first two steps. Nothing else works without them.

10–15

Digitisation Needed

Your transactions aren't readable yet. Start with a business account and POS terminal before approaching any lender.

16–21

Partially Ready

1–2 specific gaps are blocking you. Identify them, fix them first, then apply. You're closer than you think.

22–25

Lender-Ready

Your data footprint is strong. Apply to cashflow-based lenders now. The new credit model works in your favour.

⚠ Your Top 3 Gaps to Fix First

Circle every "No" answer above. The three items in Sections 1, 2, and 3 that you couldn't check are your priority — lenders screen on those before anything else.

Gap 1 — Item #

Gap 2 — Item #

Gap 3 — Item #

Know your score. Know your gaps.
Know exactly what to fix.

A 30-minute diagnostic session maps your specific gaps to a prioritised action plan — which items to fix, in what order, and which lenders to approach once you're ready. You leave with a clear next step, not a general framework.

$100

₦150,000

30-min Diagnostic Session

DM "AUDIT" on LinkedIn
or WhatsApp to book

SME Credit ReadinessGap Audit

What Your Score Means

Know your score. Know your gaps.Know exactly what to fix.

SME Credit Readiness
Gap Audit

Know your score. Know your gaps.
Know exactly what to fix.