Angel Arias

If you're starting or growing a business, you'll eventually need financing: a business credit card, equipment financing, a line of credit, net-30 terms from a supplier, or a small business loan. That's when business credit matters. Many owners don't realize their business can have its own credit profile, separate from their personal credit, and that building it takes deliberate steps. Here's a plain-English guide to how business credit works and how to start building it the right way....

Buying a home in Los Angeles County, whether it's a condo in Koreatown, a starter home in the San Fernando Valley or a townhouse in Santa Clarita, is one of the biggest financial moves you'll make. Home prices here are high, so even a small difference in your mortgage rate can add up to a lot of money over the life of a loan. Your credit is one of the main things that affects that rate. Here's how lenders look at your credit, what the basic score requirements are for common loan types, and a...