Which Business Cards Build Business Credit?
This guide explains how business credit is built, which cards actually help, and how to use one deliberately to grow your business credit.
How business credit is built
Business credit is tracked by commercial bureaus, chiefly Dun and Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business, which build scores such as the Paydex from your payment behavior. Using a business account and paying it on time creates a track record those bureaus can score, separate from your personal file. Our guide on how to build business credit covers the full playbook.
Which cards report
Many major business cards report to at least one commercial bureau, though some report only negative activity like missed payments. If your aim is to build business credit, favor a card known to report positive activity, and confirm which bureaus it reports to. This is what turns routine spending into a growing business profile.
Using a card to build business credit
Put regular business expenses on the card, pay early and in full, keep the balance low relative to the limit, and keep the account open to build history. Over time this establishes a business credit profile that can help you qualify for larger financing. Compare options on the business credit cards page, and note that most of this stays off your personal report, which is also why a business line does not count toward your personal total credit.
- Business credit lives at commercial bureaus, separate from your personal credit.
- Cards that report activity to those bureaus build your business profile.
- On-time payments and low balances build a business score.
- Most business cards keep this activity off your personal credit.
- Choose a reporting card if building business credit is a goal.
Frequently asked questions
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