Your business can have its own credit report, but unlike consumer credit reports, there’s no federal law that requires credit reporting agencies to provide those reports for free. However, there are sources that allow you to view reports from the major commercial credit reporting agencies at no charge. Show
Key Takeaways
Your Business Credit ReportBusiness and consumer credit reports are similar in that both provide information on how the subject of the report pays its credit obligations, such as credit cards and loans. Business credit reports (also known as commercial reports) may also contain information about trade or supplier credit. These are accounts that allow businesses to purchase and pay for goods or services later, with net-10 or net-30-day repayment terms, for example. NoteUtility accounts, which don’t traditionally appear on consumer credit reports, may appear on small-business credit reports. Just as the public-record portion of a consumer credit report may contain information filed with a court, such as bankruptcies or tax liens, business credit reports may include those items, as well as judgments and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. Why You Should Check and Monitor Business Credit ReportsLenders, suppliers, prospective business partners—anyone, really—can check your business credit report. Unlike consumer reports, there is no restriction on who can access your business credit report. According to the Federal Reserve 2019 Small Business Credit Survey, 54% of business owners said they relied either on business credit or a combination of business and personal credit when applying for financing. Business Credit Reporting AgenciesThere are a number of national commercial credit reporting agencies. A few include:
In addition, the Small Business Financial Exchange (SBFE) is a nonprofit trade association that collects small-business data and makes it available through certified vendors that currently include Dun & Bradstreet, LexisNexis, Equifax, and Experian. It is not a credit bureau, and business owners cannot request or review data on their business directly from SBFE, but are directed to contact the certified vendors. Only a couple of national credit reporting agencies directly provide business owners with a copy of their free credit report. Free Business Credit Reports
NavNav offers free credit report services, with a free summary of business credit reports from Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax, and Experian, along with a letter grade including the credit-score range for each. It also includes Business Launcher, a free tool that guides business owners in building business credit. CreditsafeFill out an online request form at My.Creditsafe.com and claim your business credit report. You will then be asked to talk with a Creditsafe representative to fully activate your report. Dun & Bradstreet CreditSignalYou can sign up for a free CreditSignal report online. You will receive a credit report that includes basic company information, payment history, and public filings. You’ll also get a summary of changes to your business’ various Dun & Bradstreet credit scores (including the D&B PAYDEX score), but not the actual scores. NoteOnce you enroll, both Dun & Bradstreet and Creditsafe may offer other products that, for a fee, will help you build business credit. Credit.netWith a free trial (no credit card required) you can request a single report on your business for free at Credit.net. The report includes company information, legal filings, and a business credit score. The Bottom LineYour business credit report can help you and your customers understand the financial health of your business. Knowing how to access it may be useful when applying for a business loan, too. With these free and paid resources, you can get your business credit report in no time. Frequently Asked QuestionsHow Much Does a Business Credit Report Cost?You can view many aspects of a business credit report for free, including summary reports from Nav and score improvement indicators from Dun & Bradstreet. Can I Check Another Business’s Credit Score?You can view another company's credit report including its scores, ratings, and payment history. However, you will need to pay for the report. Editor’s Note: Gerri Detweiler is the former education director for Nav. Want to read more content like this? Sign up for The Balance’s newsletter for daily insights, analysis, and financial tips, all delivered straight to your inbox every morning! How do I get access to my business credit?Where Can I Check My Business Credit Score? You can check your Experian business credit score by purchasing a one-time copy of your credit report or signing up for business credit monitoring, including unlimited access to scores.
How do I look up my credit for free?How do you check your credit report? On AnnualCreditReport.com you are entitled to a free annual credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies. These agencies include Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are experiencing financial hardships.
How do I check my paydex score?How to Check Your DUN & Bradstreet PAYDEX Score. Login to your Dun & Bradstreet account (www.dnb.com > Login > View, manage, and update my information).. Make sure you have a minimum of three trade lines established.. Call Dun & Bradstreet at (248) 641-3800.. Explain that you want to check your business credit score.. Does business credit show up on your personal credit?The bottom line
Business credit affects personal credit. Applying for your first business credit card will trigger a hard credit inquiry on your personal credit, which could lower your score by a few points.
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How to check your business credit for free
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