Business Credit Profile is a record of a company's financial history, including its credit history, payment behavior, and financial transactions, used by creditors and lenders to assess the company's creditworthiness and make decisions about extending credit or loans.
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Last Updated: January 22, 2026
A business credit score (sometimes called a business credit profile) is used to determine whether an entrepreneur can get a loan for their business. Generally, the better the company’s chances of getting a low interest rate. Some credit vendors will offer better payment flexibility if a business has a better credit profile.
A business credit profile or credit score definition is similar to a personal credit score or credit report. It usually takes time to build up a company’s credit profile and reap the benefits.
A business credit profile is unique to the business, not the people who own it. As a result, the company needs an identification number to tie to its credit profile. This could be an Employee Identification Number and a Dun & Bradstreet Number (D-U-N-S Number). These numbers allow creditors to accurately report business transactions to credit agencies.
Building up a business credit score also requires a company to have a separate business credit card. Forming a separate business entity can help with applying for credit solely in the name of the company. Opening a business credit card and asking vendors to report payments to credit agencies can also help.
The advantages of having a business credit profile and credit score are that lenders, vendors, and landlords will have an idea of how the business handles its finances and whether it pays its bills on time. A business credit score’s benefits are directly related to how well the company manages its finances. Banks, for example, may give a company more favorable interest rates if they pay their bills on time. On the other hand, if a business doesn’t have a business credit profile or its score is poor, it may face obstacles in finding funding, securing lower insurance premiums, or finding vendors who will work with it.
A business credit profile helps business owners grow their company when they take steps to actively build business credit. When a business is just getting started, it has no credit. Thus, small businesses often rely on an individual owner’s credit initially.
That said, many business owners try to build their business credit profile and credit score early, so their personal score isn’t permanently tied to the owner’s personal score. Carrying large business credit balances on the personal side would have a negative impact on the owner’s personal credit scores.
Sometimes a business credit profile is called a business credit report or commercial credit.
A business credit score lists a company’s basic information, its credit score, the basis for that score, and a summary of the company’s credit history. Examples of business credit reports are available on the websites of the three leading business credit reporting agencies: Experian, Dun & Bradstreet, and Equifax.
Business credit scores are on a scale of 0-100, with 100 being the highest score. An example of a good business credit score is in the 80-100 range.
A business credit profile describes a business’s financial transactions, including any outstanding loans or liens. A business credit profile and credit score give banks, lenders, investors, and other entities an idea of a company’s ability to manage its finances.
ZenBusiness can help entrepreneurs form a business entity and start building business credit with their Business Formation service. ZenBusiness also offers business resources, such as 8 Steps to Establishing Business Credit. Their customer support team can help out with any questions.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. For specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by ZenBusiness Editorial Team
The ZenBusiness Editorial Team has more than 20 years of combined small business publishing experience and has helped over 850,000 entrepreneurs launch and grow their companies. The team’s writers and business formation experts are dedicated to providing accurate, practical, and trustworthy guidance so business owners can make confident decisions.
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