Most people thinking about building a sizable nest egg focus on working harder and saving more, but they rarely think of having good credit as money in the bank.

Joe Humphreys

“Building good credit can be as good as putting in extra work to boost your savings account,” said Joe Humphreys, director of the University of the Houston-Victoria Small Business Development Center. “Good credit will save you money and help you get closer to your savings goal.”

To help area business leaders and residents build a better credit portfolio, the center will host “SBA Building a Better Credit Portfolio” from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. May 29 at the UHV SBDC office, 3402 N. Ben Wilson St. The free workshop is sponsored by the SBDC and the Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

Annie Hudspeth, a lender relations specialist with the San Antonio Small Business Administration District Office, will present the workshop.

“This workshop will explain the importance of building a good credit portfolio and help you stay in the driver’s seat of your credit,” said Hudspeth. “I also will offer tips on raising your credit score.”

Farhang Niroomand

Farhang Niroomand, dean of the UHV School of Business Administration, said the workshop will be of special interest to business owners looking for loans.

“When seeking a business loan, credit is always something that comes up,” he said. “The workshop will give information so potential business owners can attend to any problems before they seek financing from a lender.”

The workshop will explore how to determine and improve credit ratings. Hudspeth also will give useful tools for small businesses owners seeking loans and look into how lenders use credit reports and scores. Other areas covered will include what credit reports and credit scores are, how to obtain credit reports and how credit histories affect consumers.

Annie Hudspeth

“Negative items can stay on a credit history report for up to seven years,” Hudspeth said. “That is why it’s important to look at your own credit report. You can find mistakes and address dated information that should have been removed.”

The UHV SBDC offers assistance on starting, growing and financing a business; contracting opportunities; and recovering from disaster. Most of its services are free to area small business owners in Aransas, Bee, Calhoun, DeWitt, Gonzales, Goliad, Jackson, Karnes, Lavaca, Refugio and Victoria counties. It is part of a nationwide small business assistance program serving the small business community and federal, state and local governments.

To register for the workshop, call 361-485-4485 or email sbdc@uhv.edu.