Question 1

Can I do a free company credit check?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with a Capitalise for Business account, you can run free credit checks. This gives you a basic overview of the companies risk profile. To access a full credit report, including a company's business credit score and credit limit, simply upgrade to one of our paid plans. Our plans are monthly and you can cancel at any time.

Question 2

How much does it cost to check company credit scores?

Accepted Answer

To check a company's full credit profile, including their credit score, simply use a Capitalise for Business paid plan, starting at just £19.95 per month.

Question 3

What information is needed to do a company credit check?

Accepted Answer

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Question 4

What is included in a company credit check report?

Accepted Answer

When you credit check a company, you can access key financial information, including: the company’s credit score and how it compares to similar businesses; the maximum credit limit they’re eligible for; any legal notices or actions taken against the business; their payment performance, such as invoice payment consistency; risk factors, like a recent drop in their credit score.

Question 5

Will I need permission to credit check a company?

Accepted Answer

No, you don’t need permission to credit check another company. Credit checks through Capitalise for Business are anonymous and leave no trace. We partner with Experian to access credit data on your behalf. This means that the rating of the company you check won’t be affected and your business won’t be linked to the credit check.

Question 6

What to do if a company credit check reveals a poor score?

Accepted Answer

If a company credit check reveals a poor score, it’s a signal to proceed with caution. In some cases, you may decide not to trade with that customer or partner, particularly if there are serious warning signs, such as a ,[object Object], which indicates that the business may be closing down.If you choose to continue working with them, you can reduce your risk by tightening payment terms. This might include requesting upfront payment, shortening payment windows, or lowering credit limits. In some cases, switching to a proforma basis can help until the business demonstrates consistent payment behaviour.

Question 7

How to use credit check data to set payment terms?

Accepted Answer

Credit check data helps you tailor payment terms to match a customer’s risk profile. Companies with a high business credit score are generally lower risk, so you may feel confident offering standard terms (e.g. 30 days) and higher credit limits.For businesses with a low credit score, the risk is higher, so you can reduce exposure by shortening payment terms, lowering credit limits, or requiring partial or full upfront payment. Suggested credit limits and payment history within the report can also serve as a benchmark, helping you apply consistent, data-driven credit control across your customer base.

Question 8

How to apply credit limits from a credit report?

Accepted Answer

Suggested credit limits in a report provide a useful guideline, showing the recommended amount a credit bureau advises you to extend to a customer at any one time. If you go beyond this level, it may indicate a need for closer credit control and monitoring. When deciding how much credit to offer, this figure can act as a helpful benchmark. However, it shouldn’t be followed blindly. You should also consider your own risk tolerance, the size of the relationship, and the customer’s payment history with your business. Many companies choose to set internal limits below the suggested amount for added protection.

Question 9

What are the types of business credit reports?

Accepted Answer

Business credit reports range from basic summaries to more detailed, comprehensive reports. Basic reports, which we offer for free at Capitalise, include high level company information, such as a company's basic credit rating. Our paid plans unlock full reports, giving you a deeper view of a company’s financial health and risk profile. This includes the company’s full credit score and how it compares to similar businesses, the maximum credit limit they’re eligible for, any legal notices or actions taken against the business, their payment performance, and key risk indicators such as recent changes in their credit score.

Question 10

What are the advantages of company credit reports?

Accepted Answer

An advantage of company credit reports is that they help you make more informed decisions when working with other businesses by giving you clear visibility into their financial reliability. This allows you to assess risk before extending credit, reducing the likelihood of late payments or bad debt. They also strengthen your credit control processes by helping you set appropriate credit limits and payment terms based on real data. With ongoing monitoring and alerts, you can stay informed about changes in a company’s financial position and respond quickly if risk increases, helping to protect your cash flow.

Question 11

What are the major business credit bureaus?

Accepted Answer

Business credit bureaus collect and analyse financial data to generate credit reports and scores. The most widely used include Experian, Dun & Bradstreet, and Equifax. Each bureau uses its own data sources and scoring models, which means credit scores and reports can vary depending on the provider.

Question 12

What are the key factors in a business credit report?

Accepted Answer

Business credit reports are based on several core factors that indicate a company’s financial reliability. Payment history is one of the most important, as it shows whether a business pays its invoices on time. Credit utilisation is also considered, reflecting how much of its available credit a business is using. Public records, such as County Court Judgements (CCJs), insolvencies, or other legal notices, also play a significant role. Together, these factors provide an overall picture of risk, helping you assess how likely a business is to meet its financial obligations.

Company credit checks to reduce risk in your business

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Make informed decisions

Stay ahead with real time alerts to changes

Protect your business

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