How to establish business credit fast in 2025

These steps can help you quickly build business credit without using personal credit.

1. Register your business

Your business needs legal recognition before you can establish business credit. Register as an LLC, corporation, or other business entity in your state. The registration process typically involves choosing a business name, filing the necessary documents with your state's Secretary of State, and paying any required fees.

2. Apply for an EIN

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your business's Social Security number. Don’t pay third-party services that charge fees for this process, and instead apply for free directly through the IRS website. Your EIN allows you to open a business bank account, apply for business credit cards, and establish accounts with vendors without using your personal Social Security number.

The EIN application takes about 15 minutes online and you'll receive your number immediately. This nine-digit number becomes the primary identifier for your business credit profile across all three major business credit bureaus.

3. Apply for a DUNS number

A DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number is a unique nine-digit identifier that Dun & Bradstreet—which is one of the major business credit bureaus—assigns to your business. This number is often used by lenders and other businesses to determine the creditworthiness of your business, and government contractors and large corporations often require DUNS numbers before they'll work with you.

4. Open a business bank account

Open a dedicated business account using your EIN. This account creates a clear financial trail that separates your business and personal expenses, which is something credit bureaus and lenders look for when evaluating creditworthiness. Use this account for all business-related income and expenses, as a positive banking history can be a factor in credit decisions.

5. Apply for a business credit card

Applying for a business credit card is the next step to building business credit fast. While some business credit cards allow you to apply using personal credit or a personal guarantee, that can tie your personal finances to your business performance. Applying for a business credit card with no personal guarantee or an EIN only business credit card can help separate your business from your personal financial health.

When considering business credit cards for a new business, look for providers like Brex that report payment history to the major business credit bureaus. Tools such as expense management software and automated accounting software that can come with corporate credit cards can make a big impact on your bottom line. Nonetheless, the goal is establishing a positive payment history that gets reported to business credit agencies.

6. Establish credit with vendors and suppliers

To accelerate building business credit, establish credit with vendors and suppliers that report payment history to the major business credit bureaus. Focus on suppliers you’ll actually use, such as office supply companies, telecommunications providers, shipping companies, and industry-specific vendors. Companies like Grainger, Quill, and Uline often approve new businesses and report payment history to business credit bureaus.

7. Make prompt payments

Making prompt and on-time payments is essential to establishing a good business credit score. Business credit scoring weighs payment history heavily, and even one late payment can significantly impact your business credit score. Set up automatic payments or utilize expense management tools to ensure you never miss a due date.

8. Monitor credit

Check your business credit score reports regularly with all three major bureaus: Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business. Each bureau may have different information about your business, so monitoring all three ensures you catch errors or identity theft quickly. Business credit monitoring services often offer free basic reports, though detailed reports typically cost $50 to $200 per bureau.

Building business credit delivers benefits that impact your startup's growth potential and financial flexibility. Here's why founders should establish business credit rather than relying solely on personal credit.

Limit personal liability

Business credit creates a legal and financial firewall between your personal assets and business debts. When you establish business credit for your LLC or corporation, creditors evaluate your business entity separately from your personal finances, protecting your personal assets from business-related financial issues.

Without business credit, you can be forced to personally guarantee business loans and other credit lines. This means if your startup can’t repay its debt, creditors can pursue your personal assets to satisfy business debts. Separately, a strong business credit profile allows you to secure financing based on your company's creditworthiness, not a personal guarantee.

Improved access to capital

Business credit opens doors to funding sources that don't consider personal credit, as many lenders, investors, and alternative financing companies focus exclusively on business credit scores and cash flow when making lending decisions. Once you’ve started building your business credit, establishing a positive payment history and improving your credit scores can give your business better access to capital

For instance, vendors can extend significantly higher credit limits to businesses with established credit profiles. A new business might qualify for $5,000 in trade credit initially, but the same company with a year of positive business credit history could access $50,000 or more in vendor financing.

Business credit also qualifies you for SBA loans, equipment financing, and business lines of credit that require established business credit histories. These funding sources typically offer larger amounts and better terms than personal credit-based financing options.

Qualify for better financing terms

Strong business credit scores can unlock lower interest rates, higher credit limits, and more favorable repayment terms. Companies with excellent business credit can access business credit cards with 0% introductory APR periods, rewards programs, and credit limits that exceed what personal credit cards offer.

Equipment financing also becomes more accessible and affordable. Businesses with strong credit profiles often qualify for equipment loans with lower rates than those available through personal credit-based financing.

Wider vendor availability

Many suppliers and service providers require established business credit before extending trade credit or net payment terms. This is particularly true for wholesale suppliers, manufacturing companies, and B2B service providers who work primarily with established businesses. Without business credit, you're limited to cash payments or personal credit card purchases, which restricts your purchasing power and cash flow management options.

Better reputation among customers

Established business credit signals legitimacy and stability to potential customers, partners, and investors. Other companies can look up your business credit profile through services like Dun & Bradstreet to verify that you're a legitimate business with a track record of paying bills on time.

This credibility becomes essential when pursuing larger contracts or working with enterprise customers who conduct vendor due diligence. A strong business credit profile demonstrates financial responsibility and reduces the perceived risk of doing business with your company.

Even with the right strategy, founders can make mistakes that slow their progress or damage their business credit scores. Avoid these common errors to establish business credit fast and maintain a strong credit profile.

Mixing personal and business finances

Using your business credit card for personal expenses or paying business bills with personal accounts destroys the legal separation that helps make business credit valuable. Credit bureaus and lenders look for clear financial boundaries between your personal and business activities, and mixed finances can signal poor business management and increase liability risks.

For example, using your Brex card to pay for groceries or personal travel expenses creates a paper trail that connects business and personal spending. If your business faces legal issues, this mixing of funds can eliminate the legal protections your business structure provides, making your personal assets vulnerable to business creditors.

Keep separate bank accounts, credit cards, and accounting records for all business transactions. Even small purchases like office supplies should go through business accounts to maintain clean financial records that support your business credit profile.

Neglecting to pay bills on time

Compared to personal credit scores, business credit scores weigh payment history much more heavily. As a result, late payments can be devastating for business credit scores. On top of that, managing payments is critical as many vendors report late payments after just 30 days past due, compared to personal credit where late payments typically aren't reported until 30 to 60 days overdue.

Damaging your business credit can undo months of progress. This is especially damaging when you're trying to build business credit in 30 days, where every positive payment counts toward establishing your credit history. Setting up automatic payments for all recurring bills and creating calendar reminders for invoice due dates can help prevent missed due dates.

Maxing out credit lines

High credit utilization ratios can signal financial stress to business credit bureaus and potential lenders. Keep your business credit card balances below 20% of available credit limits, and ideally, below 10% for optimal credit scores.

For instance, if you have a $10,000 business credit line, carrying a $9,000 balance tells creditors you're financially stretched, even if you make payments on time. This high utilization can prevent you from qualifying for additional credit lines or better terms on future financing. Instead of maxing out one credit line, consider applying for multiple smaller credit lines to increase your total available credit while maintaining low utilization ratios.

Not monitoring credit reports regularly

Business credit reports can contain errors, outdated information, or even fraudulent accounts that damage your credit score without your knowledge. Check your business credit reports quarterly at minimum, and immediately after establishing new vendor relationships to verify they're reporting your account activity. The cost of monitoring services is minimal compared to the potential damage from undetected errors or identity theft.

Successfully building and maintaining strong business credit can require the right tools and resources. From monitoring services that alert you to changes in your credit profile to software that helps automate payments, these resources can simplify your credit management process and help you avoid costly mistakes.

When selecting tools and resources, consider your business's size, industry, and specific credit goals. Many platforms offer free trials, allowing you to test their features before committing. Keep in mind the most expensive option isn't always the best, and instead focus on finding tools that integrate well with your existing systems and will get used by your team. Consistent use of these resources, combined with sound financial practices, will help you build and maintain the strong business credit profile necessary for long-term success.

Here's a list of effective tools available to manage your business credit.

Credit monitoring services

Dun & Bradstreet Credit

Dun & Bradstreet, one of the major business credit bureaus, offers monitoring of your D&B credit file, including alerts for changes to your scores and reports. The service also allows you to add positive payment history that might not otherwise be reported, potentially boosting your PAYDEX score. Their CreditMonitor service provides unlimited access to your credit file and scores, along with industry benchmarking data to see how your credit compares to similar businesses.

Equifax

Equifax’s business risk monitor offers oversight of your Equifax business credit file with instant alerts for any changes or inquiries. The service provides access to your Business Credit Report and Business Credit Risk Score, along with tools to help you understand factors affecting your creditworthiness. Equifax also offers identity monitoring features to protect against business identity theft and fraud.

Experian

Experian’s business credit advantage provides monitoring of your Experian business credit report with real-time alerts when changes occur. The platform includes score tracking, credit report disputes, and recommendations for improving your credit profile. Their premium tiers offer additional features like competitor monitoring and industry risk assessments.

Payment management software

Brex

Brex integrates a powerful corporate card with an AI-powered expense management platform, helping businesses track and control spending while ensuring timely payments. Brex’s spend management software automates expense categorization, provides real-time spending insights, and integrates with popular accounting software, allowing your business to confidently build credit. With features like automatic receipt matching and customizable spending limits, Brex streamline the accounting process and helps your business financial discipline.

QuickBooks

QuickBooks offers extensive payment management features within its accounting software. In addition to basic bookkeeping, it provides cash flow forecasting, payment reminders, and the ability to pay bills directly through the platform. QuickBooks Capital also offers financing options based on your business's cash flow data, making it easier to access credit when needed.

Trade credit networks

Moody’s Analytics

Moody’s maintains a trade payment database and helps businesses establish trade credit relationships. Their platform allows you to research potential vendors' payment requirements and credit policies, making it easier to identify opportunities for building trade credit.

Creditsafe

Creditsafe allows your business to check and monitor the performance of vendors and suppliers, including business credit scores, payment history, and other financial information. Services like Creditsafe helps businesses find reliable partners, and their international coverage is particularly valuable for businesses with global operations or suppliers.

Educational resources

SCORE

The SCORE Association offers free mentoring and educational workshops on a range of business-related topics, including business credit management through a network of volunteer business experts. Their resources include templates, guides, and one-on-one counseling to help businesses develop credit management strategies.

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The Small Business Administration provides extensive educational resources for business owners, including online courses, local workshops, and counseling services on business credit. Their Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) network offers free consulting on credit building and financial management.

Credit Suite

Credit Suite specializes in business credit building education and consulting, offering courses, coaching, and done-for-you services. While paid, their approach can be valuable for businesses serious about rapidly building strong credit profiles.

Accounting and bookkeeping tools

Xero

Xero bookkeeping software helps maintain accurate financial records that are essential for credit applications and monitoring. Its cash flow management tools and integration with various payment platforms help ensure timely payments and proper documentation of your business's finances.

FreshBooks

FreshBooks combines invoicing, expense tracking, and payment processing in a user-friendly platform built for small businesses. Its reporting features help you track payment patterns and identify areas for improvement in your credit management strategy.

Wave

Wave offers free accounting software with paid add-ons for payment processing and payroll. Despite being free, it provides robust features for tracking expenses, managing invoices, and maintaining the financial records necessary for building business credit.

Business credit cards are an accessible entry point for building business credit without using personal credit. While just one component of a credit-building strategy, they’re an effective tool to demonstrate responsible credit management to business credit bureaus, which can prepare your business for better opportunities in the future.

While your business makes consistent payments, your business credit card can also help establish your business as a legal entity separate from your personal finances. Unlike personal credit cards used for business expenses, dedicated business credit cards report activity under your business's EIN, building credit history tied to your company rather than your personal profile.

With the top business credit cards, you can access the financial tools growing businesses need to prevent cash flow problems. These cards, also known as corporate credit cards, offer sophisticated spend controls that help you build credit responsibly. Real-time budgets, transaction limits, and category restrictions ensure your business can consistently cover monthly payments while establishing the positive payment history essential for strong business credit scores.

Brex offers businesses a corporate card program designed specifically to separate personal and business finances without requiring personal guarantees or personal credit checks. With the Brex card, your credit limits are determined by your business’s financial performance, allowing businesses to access credit limits that are 10-20x higher than traditional business credit cards. With the option to issue cards for nearly any purpose, your business can take advantage of those high limits.

With Brex, your business can issue purchase cards for general expenses, vendor-specific cards for supplier relationships, and virtual cards for one-time or recurring online purchases. Each card can be configured with custom expense policies that control transactions based on employee, department, spending category, and amount limits. And with custom approval flows, you can be sure the right expenses are being approved by the proper managers.

These built-in controls help ensure spending stays within policy while real-time budgets help guarantee your monthly payments won't exceed your business's capacity to pay. As you build business credit, it's essential to maintain a consistent payment history and be sure your payments are affordable for your business.

Brex’s functionality goes beyond its credit cards and employee spend controls with its automated bill pay software. With Brex bill pay, your business can automate the accounts payable process and establish itself as a reliable customer, enabling your business to work with a broader range of vendors.

When your business receives an invoice, Brex’s bill pay software automatically extracts data from those bills with optical character recognition (OCR) technology. Due dates, categories, vendor information, and line items are automatically uploaded into the Brex platform, and Brex then generates a payment and routes approvals through predetermined flows. This helps ensure due dates aren’t missed and any early payment discounts are taken advantage of.

Sign up for Brex today to integrate Brex’s corporate cards and expense management software into your credit-building journey.