There are a few ways that you can tell if the company you are working with is a direct lender: If the consultant you’re working with works directly for the company supplying capital to your business; If the name of capital provider on the application you receive is the same as the name on the contracts; Your personal credit should only be pulled once when working with a direct lender. If you are not working with a direct funding company they may send your company information to several direct funding companies, who may all pull your credit;