Unlike personal credit, there is no single business credit score. Several agencies each use their own model, and lenders may rely on different ones. Knowing the main scores helps you understand what lenders see.
Dun & Bradstreet PAYDEX
The PAYDEX score runs from 1 to 100 and focuses on how promptly you pay suppliers. A score of 80 generally reflects payment on time, while higher scores indicate early payment and lower scores indicate delays. It is based on trade payment data reported to Dun & Bradstreet.
Experian Intelliscore Plus
Experian Business uses a 1 to 100 scale, where higher means lower risk of serious delinquency. It draws on payment history, credit utilization, company size and age, industry, and public records.
Equifax Business Credit Risk Score
Equifax offers risk scores that estimate the likelihood of late payment or default, along with a payment index that tracks how quickly you pay your bills.
FICO LiquidCredit and SBSS
The FICO Small Business Scoring Service, or SBSS, is widely associated with small business loan prescreening, including some programs tied to the Small Business Administration. It ranges from 0 to 300 and blends business data with the owner’s personal credit information.
What Influences Your Scores
- Payment history on trade accounts and loans
- Credit utilization, meaning how much of your available credit you use
- Length of business history
- Public records such as tax liens, judgments, or bankruptcies
- Industry risk and company size
- Number of reporting accounts
How to Improve Your Scores
Pay every bill on or before the due date, keep balances low, and make sure your vendors report to the agencies. Verify your company information is correct on every report. Since each agency scores differently, you may notice different numbers; focus on consistent habits rather than a single number.
Score ranges and models can change, so confirm current details with each agency. This article is general information only.