How and where to check your business credit score

What is a business credit score?

A business credit score refers to your company’s creditworthiness based on factors like payment history, credit utilization, and length of credit history. It can impact everything from your ability to secure financing to your suppliers' willingness to extend credit to you.

There are several business credit scoring systems, including Experian’s Intelliscore Plus and Dun & Bradstreet’s PAYDEX Score, which rank businesses between 1 to 100.

Following their system, here's a breakdown of what's considered a good, moderate, and bad business credit score:

• Good: A score of 80 or above is generally considered good and indicates a low risk of default. Businesses with good credit scores are more likely to qualify for favorable terms on loans, credit lines, and other financing options.
• Moderate: A score between 50 and 79 indicates a moderate risk of default. Businesses with moderate credit scores may still be able to qualify for financing but may face higher interest rates or stricter terms.
• Bad: A score below 50 is considered bad and indicates a high risk of default. Businesses with bad credit scores may have difficulty obtaining financing or may need to pay significantly higher interest rates to compensate for the higher risk.

Other business credit reporting systems may follow different rankings — though generally, the higher the number, the better the score.

Why you should know and monitor your credit score

Understanding and monitoring your business credit score can help keep your operation in good financial health.

Here are a few benefits of knowing where your business stands:

• Preventing fraud: Checking your business credit score can help you quickly spot any unusual activity, such as unauthorized credit inquiries or new accounts you didn't open. Some payment providers like PayPal Merchant Services even offer integrated fraud protection to help you safeguard your business transactions.
• Accessing additional capital: A strong business credit score can help you access better financing options and lower interest rates, which may help save you money in the long run. Learn more about the benefits of a PayPal Business credit card.
• Monitoring business health: Your business credit score can be a good indicator of your company's overall financial health. By regularly checking your score, you can see how your business is performing over time and identify areas that need improvement.

Where can I check my business credit score?

There are many business credit reporting systems that lenders, suppliers, and other businesses may use to assess a company's creditworthiness. Some well-known options include:

• Dun & Bradstreet’s PAYDEX Score
• Experian’s Intelliscore Plus 
• FICO Small Business Scoring Service (SBSS)
• Equifax Business
• CreditSafe

How to build business credit

Building business credit doesn’t have to be a challenge. To get started, register your business and get an EIN. From there, you can incorporate these strategies to help establish and build your business credit score:

• Separate personal and business bank accounts and expenses
• Make sure business expenses are listed under your business name
• Pay your bills on time
• Pay down any existing debt
• Keep your records up to date

Don’t stop there: Get more tips on how to build business credit.