Business credit reports explained

When you run a business, your creditworthiness matters, not just to banks, but to suppliers, customers, and even potential investors. Just like people have credit scores, businesses have credit reports too. These reports provide a snapshot of your company's financial health.

At Capitalise.com, we make it easy for business owners to check their own business credit report, and even look up the credit reports of other companies. In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about business credit reports, including what they are, why they matter, and how you can access yours.

What is a business credit report?

A business credit report is a summary of a company’s financial and credit history. It shows how reliably the business has repaid its debts, whether it pays suppliers on time, and if it has any legal issues, such as County Court Judgments (CCJs).

Credit reference agencies like Experian compile this data from multiple sources, including banks, lenders, suppliers, and public records.

Just as personal credit reports help lenders decide whether to approve a loan, business credit reports are used by:

• Banks and lenders assessing loan applications

• Suppliers offering trade credit

• Potential business partners evaluating financial risk

• Business owners checking the health of their own company

Which agencies provide business credit reports?

There are several credit reference agencies that offer business credit reports in the UK, these include Experian, Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax and CreditSafe. 

Experian is one of the most widely used agencies by high street banks, lenders, and suppliers when assessing business credit risks.

When you sign up for a paid plan with Capitalise, you’ll get access to full Experian business credit reports, giving you deeper insights into your company’s financial profile.

Do businesses have credit reports?

Yes, absolutely. If your business is a registered UK limited company, then it will have a credit report.

Even small businesses and startups can have credit reports. That’s why it’s important to know how to check a business credit report, especially your own and keep it in good standing.

Why is it important to check your business credit report?

Here are a few reasons why regularly checking your business credit report is important:

• You’ll understand how others see your business. Banks, suppliers, and partners may review your report when making financial decisions.

• Improve your chances of securing funding. A strong credit profile can help you qualify for better terms on business loans and credit lines.

• Spot errors or signs of fraud early. If there's incorrect information or suspicious activity, you can take action quickly.

• Manage your financial reputation. A good credit score reflects trustworthiness, making it easier to grow your business.

• Get a clear overview of your financial position. In your report, everything’s in one place, presented in an easy to understand format.

What’s in a business credit report?

Each credit agency may present data a little differently, but most business credit reports include:

• Business identification details (name)

• The business’ sector

• Credit score and rating

• Suggested credit limit

• Payment history

• Any CCJs or legal filings

• Company structure and ownership

Do business loans show on personal credit reports?

In most cases, business loans do not appear on your personal credit report, as long as the loan is taken out in the name of the business.

Business credit reports will also only show the borrowing and repayment activity of your business. Personal loans and credit cards stay on your personal credit report and don’t affect your business credit file.

To keep things separate, it’s a good idea to use a dedicated business bank account for all company transactions, especially when applying for finance.

If you want to build your business credit history, taking out a business loan or using a business credit card can help. Consistent, on-time repayments can support your company’s credit profile, which may lead to:

• Better access to finance

• More flexible terms from suppliers

• A stronger financial reputation when working with partners or investors

What can you use your business credit report for?

Your business credit report can help you apply for funding, secure better terms with suppliers, and prove your financial strength when bidding for contracts.

When you use a Capitalise business credit report, you get more than just a credit score. Alongside your score, payment history, and public records, your report includes:

• Up to 3 years of balance sheets

• Profit & loss statements (if available)

• Key financial ratios and analysis

• Shareholder and share capital information

• Group structure, including parent or subsidiary companies

• Details of any mortgages or charges against assets

This means your Capitalise credit report has all the key financial information you need to tender for new contracts, saving you time and making the process faster and more efficient.

How to check a business credit report

Checking your own business credit report, or even the report of another company, is easy with Capitalise. By signing up you can: 

• View your free business credit report

• Monitor changes in your credit score over time

• Track the credit health of your suppliers and customers

• Receive alerts about significant changes to any credit report you’re watching

Having this information helps you reduce financial risk and make more informed decisions.

Download your business credit report as a PDF

At Capitalise.com, we know that sometimes you need a business credit report in a format you can share, store, or present. That’s why we let you download credit reports as a PDF.

This can be helpful for:

• Sharing with lenders or investors during funding applications

• Keeping records for internal finance teams or accountants

• Negotiating with suppliers, using your report to support better terms

Downloading your report is fast and easy, right from your dashboard on Capitalise.com.

Get your free business credit report today

To get started, just sign up at Capitalise.com. You’ll be able to view a basic version of your business credit report for free.

For more detailed information, including full credit data, reports on other companies, alerts, and trend tracking, you can upgrade to a paid plan, starting at £19.95 per month.