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What makes up a business credit profile
Business credit agencies score limited companies using data from Companies House (filing history, mortgages registered, director changes), payment data from suppliers and financial institutions, court judgments (CCJs), and in some cases publicly available financial accounts. Unlike personal credit scores, business scores are visible to any third party who searches your company number — potential suppliers and landlords routinely check them.
A new company will have almost no credit footprint, which can be as limiting as a poor score. The goal in the early months is to generate positive data points across multiple sources.
Practical steps to establish credit
File your accounts and confirmation statements on time at Companies House — late filings are the single fastest way to depress a business credit score. Open a dedicated business bank account immediately on incorporation and keep it in good standing. Register for VAT if your turnover warrants it; a VAT number signals an established trading entity.
- Apply for a business credit card with a low limit and repay it in full each month
- Open trade credit accounts with at least two or three suppliers and pay on or before terms
- Register with Dun & Bradstreet's D-U-N-S system (free) to ensure your company appears in their global database
- Ask suppliers to report payment history to a credit reference agency where possible
Maintaining and improving your score over time
Consistency matters more than single actions. Pay every trade creditor on time — even one persistent late-payer relationship can pull down your overall score. Avoid County Court Judgments at all costs; a CCJ that is satisfied still appears on your company record for six years and will block most commercial credit applications. Keep your registered address and director information accurate and current at Companies House, as discrepancies raise red flags with automated scoring systems.
Check your own business credit report annually with each major agency. Errors in registered data, misattributed CCJs, or outdated financial information are more common than directors realise and can be disputed and corrected. Confirm the reporting process with each agency directly.
How credit history affects commercial borrowing
When a limited company applies for a commercial loan, bridging finance, or an asset finance agreement, the lender will pull your business credit report alongside your bank statements and filed accounts. A thin file — a company under two years old with few trade references — is not automatically declined, but lenders will lean more heavily on director personal guarantees and may price the facility higher to compensate for uncertainty.
Building credit proactively in the first twelve to twenty-four months of trading gives you significantly more options when you need capital to grow.
Frequently asked questions
Does my personal credit score affect my company's borrowing?
For most commercial lending to limited companies, lenders look primarily at company financials and business credit data. However, many business lenders require a personal guarantee from directors, so a poor personal credit profile can affect the terms or approval of a guaranteed facility. Keep both in good standing.
How do I dispute an error on my business credit report?
Each agency has a formal dispute process — contact Experian Business, Creditsafe, or Dun & Bradstreet directly with your company number, the specific data point you believe is incorrect, and supporting documentation. Corrections typically take 15–28 days.
Funding for UK limited companies
Credicorp lends to your company, not to you personally — short-term working capital with no personal guarantee. See what your business could access.