What is a business credit score and how does it work?

A business credit score measures your company's creditworthiness based on its payment history with suppliers and lenders, separate from your personal credit. The major business scores include the Dun & Bradstreet PAYDEX, Experian Business, and the FICO SBSS used in SBA lending. Building business credit — an EIN, a business bank account, and on-time vendor and card payments reported to the bureaus — strengthens future financing terms.

What a business credit score is

A business credit score reflects how reliably your company pays its obligations — to suppliers, vendors, and lenders — and is tied to your business's identity (EIN and business profile) rather than your Social Security number. Lenders use it alongside your revenue and bank activity to gauge risk. Early on, many small-business lenders still weigh the owner's personal credit too, but as the business builds its own track record, the business score carries more weight.

The major business credit scores

Dun & Bradstreet PAYDEX — a 1–100 score based on payment timeliness to suppliers; requires a D-U-N-S number
Experian Business / Intelliscore — blends payment history, credit utilization, and public records
Equifax Business — reports payment trends and credit utilization
FICO SBSS — the Small Business Scoring Service score the SBA uses to pre-screen 7(a) applications

How to build it

Building business credit starts with the basics: register the business and get an EIN from the IRS, open a dedicated business bank account, and put recurring expenses on accounts that report to the business bureaus. Pay vendors and business cards on time (or early), keep utilization moderate, and add trade references that report. Separating business and personal finances this way is also what protects the liability shield of an LLC or corporation, per the SBA's guidance on business structure.

Sources

The SBA recommends separating business and personal finances — an EIN and a business bank account — as foundational steps for building business credit and protecting the entity. — SBA — Establish Business Credit
Employers and most LLCs and corporations obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) directly from the IRS at no cost. — IRS — Employer ID Numbers
The CFPB explains that business credit reporting is distinct from personal consumer credit and is not covered by the same consumer-protection rules. — CFPB — Consumer & Small Business Finance

Key takeaways

A business credit score is tied to your EIN and company, separate from personal credit.
Major scores: D&B PAYDEX, Experian Business, Equifax Business, and the FICO SBSS used in SBA lending.
Build it with an EIN, a business bank account, and on-time reported vendor and card payments.
Stronger business credit improves your financing terms; ClearValue Lending routes your file accordingly.