Business credit guides

Business credit is a file in your company's name, kept by Dun & Bradstreet, Experian and Equifax, separate from your personal credit. Each bureau scores it differently, and an account only builds that file if it reports to them. These guides cover how the scores work, which accounts say on their own websites that they report, and when you're still personally on the hook.

1–100PAYDEX and Experian business score rangeSources in this guide

5 of 14vendors we checked name the bureaus they report toSources in this guide

4business cards we found with no personal guaranteeSources in this guide

$0cost of a D-U-N-S Number from Dun & BradstreetSources in this guide

How are business credit scores measured?

Dun & Bradstreet's PAYDEX and Experian's Intelliscore Plus both run from 1 to 100, and higher means lower risk on both. Equifax groups businesses into risk classes, and its Business Failure Score runs about 1,000 to 1,610.

How business credit works: where the data comes from and who sees itWhere Dun & Bradstreet, Experian and Equifax get business credit data, what the SBFE is, and why business reports don't carry consumer report rights.Business credit vs personal credit: how they differ and where they overlapDifferent bureaus, scores and rights. How business and personal credit differ, and where they connect: personal guarantees, card reporting and lenders.Business credit scores explained: PAYDEX, Experian and EquifaxPAYDEX and Experian's Intelliscore Plus both run 1 to 100. Equifax uses risk classes, and its failure score runs about 1,000 to 1,610.D-U-N-S Number: what it is, what it costs, and what it doesn't doA D-U-N-S Number is free from Dun & Bradstreet. How long it takes, how to look yours up, and why it doesn't give you a PAYDEX score on its own.

Which accounts build business credit?

Only accounts that report to the business bureaus count. Of the 14 vendors we checked, 5 name those bureaus on their own websites. The rest either don't name them or don't say they report at all.

Net 30 vendor accounts that report to business credit bureaus (2026)We checked 14 vendors' own websites. Only 5 name the business credit bureaus they report to. Here's what each one actually says.First business credit card with fair credit: what issuers actually offer (2026)Only one business card we checked names fair credit. Secured cards from Bank of America, FNBO and Valley, and corporate cards that skip personal credit.

Am I personally liable for my business's credit?

Often, yes: Amex and Chase make the cardholder and the business jointly liable. Brex, Ramp, BILL and Mercury say they require no personal guarantee, but Brex, Ramp and Mercury only take LLCs and corporations.

Personal guarantees on business credit cards: who's liable (2026)Amex and Chase make you personally liable on their business cards. We read 10 cards' own terms for liability and personal credit reporting.Sole proprietor vs LLC: liability, taxes and cost (2026)A sole proprietor can be personally liable for business debts; an LLC usually protects you. How each is taxed by default, and what an LLC costs.

Track your business credit steps

Frequently asked questions

Is business credit separate from personal credit?

Yes. Business credit is a file in your company's name at Dun & Bradstreet, Experian and Equifax, apart from your personal FICO Score. See business credit scores explained.

How do I start building business credit?

Get a D-U-N-S Number, which is free, then use accounts that say they report to the business bureaus and pay them on time. See vendor accounts that report.

What is a good PAYDEX score?

Dun & Bradstreet puts 80 to 100 in its low-risk category for late payment. The other bureaus' scales are in business credit scores explained.

Can I get a business credit card without a personal guarantee?

Yes. Brex, Ramp, BILL and Mercury say their corporate or charge cards need no personal guarantee. See personal guarantees on business cards.