Business credit scores in the US: PAYDEX, Experian, Equifax and the foreign owner
In the US, your company has its own credit file. A strong business credit history opens the door to supplier accounts on payment terms and to business cards. However, most banks also review the owner's personal credit history before issuing a business card, which slows things down for foreign owners with no US credit history.
Last reviewed: October 8, 2026
Business credit vs. personal credit
Business credit belongs to the company, not its owner. Most personal credit scores range from 300 to 850, while business bureaus use their own models. If the company has no credit history yet, many lenders look to the owner's personal credit and personal guarantee instead.
Main business credit scores
| Bureau | Score | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Dun & Bradstreet | PAYDEX (1–100) | 80 means on-time payment; 100 means payment before the due date. Calculated from the last 24 months of supplier payment records, weighted by dollar amount. |
| Dun & Bradstreet | D&B Rating | An overall creditworthiness rating based on company size and balance sheet data. |
| Experian | Intelliscore Plus | Usually 1–100 (higher = lower risk). The newer version uses a 300–850 range, so check which version your report uses. |
| Equifax | Payment Index and risk scores | Payment behavior and business failure risk; ranges vary by report version. |
How is a credit file built?
- Set up a separate legal entity (LLC), get an EIN and open accounts in the company's name.
- Get a D-U-N-S Number; this can start your D&B file.
- Buy on terms (e.g., net-30) from suppliers that report payments to the credit bureaus. A PAYDEX score requires payment records from more than one supplier.
- Pay invoices on time, or early when possible, and keep your credit utilization low.
Business cards for an owner without an SSN
- Most small business cards from major banks require a personal guarantee and an SSN. Chase says it does not offer a business card you can apply for with an EIN alone, and Capital One says most of its cards require a personal guarantee.
- Some financial technology companies underwrite US-formed companies based on their EIN. Ramp says owners without an SSN can apply with a passport and proof of address. However, Ramp requires a minimum balance in a US bank account and expects most of the business's operations to be in the US.
- Brex works only with US-formed companies that have an EIN. Its agreement contains no personal guarantee clause.
- Mercury's credit card is secured by cash, so your limit depends on your account balance.
Personal US credit history with an ITIN
You can start a personal credit history with a secured card or a credit-builder product; debit and prepaid cards do not build credit. Some card issuers accept applications with an ITIN (for example, some Capital One secured cards). Whether people living outside the US are eligible varies by issuer.
You can get your credit reports from the three major bureaus for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Warning: "instant credit" and credit repair scams
- According to the FTC, it is illegal for credit repair companies to charge you before they perform any services.
- Any offer to create a "new credit identity" using an EIN instead of an SSN is a scam, and acting on it may be a crime.
- The FTC has sued companies that promise to raise scores by adding you as an authorized user on someone else's card ("tradeline" sales).
- Do not trust services that promise a "ready-made PAYDEX" or guaranteed credit approval.
Frequently asked questions
I live in Türkiye; can I get a US business card?
It can be difficult, because major banks generally require an SSN and a personal guarantee. Some financial technology companies evaluate a US company based on its EIN and the owner's passport. Check the provider's current page for its requirements.
How is a PAYDEX score formed?
D&B calculates it from the last 24 months of records from suppliers that report payments to D&B. A score requires payment records from more than one supplier.
Sources
- D&B – What is a PAYDEX score
- D&B – Credit scores and ratings
- Experian – Good business credit score
- Experian – Intelliscore Plus V3
- Equifax – Building your business credit profile
- Capital One – Applying for a business credit card
- Capital One – Credit cards for immigrants (ITIN)
- Ramp – Applying and signing up
- Brex – Platform agreement
- CFPB – What is a credit report
- CFPB – Ways to start a good credit history
- FTC – Fixing your credit FAQs
- FTC – Illegal credit repair scam alert (2025)
This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with official sources and a qualified professional before you act.
- What is a D-U-N-S Number, and how do you get one?
- Digital banking for a US LLC: Wise, Payoneer, Mercury and others
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