Build the EIN profile: make the entity fundable, then add reporting vendors in tiers so D&B, Experian Business and Equifax Business all show payment history. Vendor terms change — confirm with the vendor.
Fundable entity checklist
0/12 done
Work through these in order. Name, address, phone and NAICS must match everywhere — SOS, IRS, bank, D&B, and every application.
Industry risk
Restricted — automatic decline at most creditors
Ammunition or weapons manufacturing · Bail bonds · Check cashing · Energy, oil trading, petroleum extraction/production · Finance (banks, loan/mortgage/securities/commodity brokers, fund managers) · Gaming or gambling · Speculative purchase of securities or goods · Pawn shops · Political campaigns, candidates or committees · Public administration (government agencies) · Adult / X-rated products or entertainment
High risk — stricter underwriting
Agriculture or forest products · Auto, RV or boat sales · Courier services · Computer, software and programming services · Dry cleaners · Entertainment · General and special trade contractors · Gas stations / convenience stores · Nursing homes and assisted living · Hotels or motels · Jewelry and precious metals · Limousine and taxi services · Long-haul trucking · Mobile or manufactured home sales · Phone sales and direct selling · Real estate agents, brokers and developers · Restaurants and bars · Travel agencies
Address, name & phone
• A real, deliverable brick-and-mortar address you'll keep long-term.
• Not a P.O. box or UPS/mailbox store (fine as an extra mailing address only).
• A home address works but limits funding; a virtual office is the budget option.
• Some revenue-based lenders decline businesses without a physical location.
• Keep the exact name spelling and punctuation identical on SOS, IRS, bank and every account.
• A general name (e.g. add "Consulting" or "Enterprises") avoids landing on restricted lists.
• Cell numbers can't be listed in 411 — use a business line (e.g. a virtual phone), list it, then verify by calling area code + 555-1212 from the business phone.
D&B
PAYDEX (1-100)
Payment timeliness to reporting vendors. 80 = paying on time; higher = paying early.
The only big-three bureau focused purely on business credit. Needs a free DUNS number (dnb.com, 2-4 weeks). Tier II vendors often require PAYDEX 80+.
76 vendors below report here.
Experian Business
Intelliscore Plus (0-100)
0-15 high risk · 16-30 medium · 31-80 good · 80-100 excellent.
Financial Stability Risk Rating (1-5)
Odds of bankruptcy or severe distress in 12 months; lower is better.
Blends trade data with bank/lender data, public records, time in business and SIC code — the most balanced of the three. Correct your file at businesscreditfacts.com.
57 vendors below report here.
Equifax Business
Business Credit Risk Score (101-992)
Odds of a 90-day severe delinquency or charge-off in 12 months; lower = riskier.
Business Failure Score (1000-1610)
Odds the business fails (formal or informal bankruptcy) in 12 months; lower = riskier.
Built largely from the Small Business Financial Exchange (SBFE) — lender payment data banks rely on. Pulled by several banks alongside personal Equifax (e.g. GM/Marcus business). Errors are corrected through your creditors.
52 vendors below report here.
Tier
Reports to
88 vendors
Tier I: Starter vendors — approve new EINs. Open 3-5, buy $50+ on each so they report, pay early.
Tier II (after ~3 accounts report): Next step once Tier I is reporting — open 3-5 more. Several check for a D&B PAYDEX of 80+ and 2+ years in business.
Tier III (after ~6 accounts report): With ~6 accounts reporting, add 4-5 Tier III accounts — mostly fleet/fuel cards reporting to all three bureaus.
Tier IV (after ~10 accounts report): With ~10 accounts reporting, add 4 Tier IV accounts — revolving lines, bank cards and vehicle financing in the business name.
• Business registered to Secretary of State (SOS) for at least 60 days old.
• If a business doesn't have an established credit, they will require additional documents like accounts payable, income statement, balance sheets, etc.
• Membership fee includes access to all their products, member discounts -access to web printing and graphic design at a discounted rate. Annual Fee (Run Biz credit report, Maintain monthly reporting). Membership fee will not be reported to credit bureaus.
• Application may be approved for net 30 at time of order. Upon final review, Credit Department may change to a few pre paid orders, before a Net 30 is granted