Credit-building terms, defined.
Plain-English definitions for the words that show up across EIN-based credit research — what they mean, why they matter, and where they fit in the build.
16 terms, alphabetised
Credit extended to a company and potentially reported to commercial bureaus. Some products may also consider personal credit, a guarantee, revenue, collateral, or other information; an EIN does not make every product EIN-only.
A unique nine-digit identifier Dun & Bradstreet assigns to your business. It is the key Experian Business and many lenders use to look up your entity file — pulling a D-U-N-S is one of the first steps on the build path.
A nine-digit tax ID the IRS issues to an entity. It helps identify the business for accounts and records, but product applications may request additional information, including personal credit or a guarantee.
The third of the three business credit bureaus. Each bureau scores you independently, so a healthy file shows consistent Paydex, Intelliscore Plus, and SBFE numbers across all three.
One of the three main business credit bureaus. Your Intelliscore Plus sits here — vendor trade lines that report to Experian build the file lenders pull when you apply.
Whether a lender can underwrite your profile without a personal guarantee. It is what the EIN Readiness Score reads — entity setup, bureau presence, and bank posture — and the band your file needs to reach before lender intros close.
Credit you borrow as a lump sum and repay on a fixed schedule — term loans, equipment financing, SBA products. The other major shape of business credit alongside revolving credit.
An IRS-issued number for taxpayers who cannot get an SSN. ITIN holders can explore business-credit and funding options, but provider requirements may include personal credit, a guarantee, revenue, collateral, or other information.
A US entity type that can provide a separate legal identity. Business and personal records can still both matter depending on the account, lender, guarantee, and application.
A vendor trade line that bills you monthly with a 30-day net term. Paying on time is what reports to D&B and builds your Paydex — the workhorse trade line on the build path.
Dun & Bradstreet's 1–100 business credit score, weighted toward payment history. Providers and lenders may use different models, ranges, and cutoffs; Paydex is not a universal approval threshold.
A signed promise that you personally repay business debt if the company cannot. Whether a lender requests a PG is product- and applicant-specific and should be confirmed before applying.
Credit with a set limit you can borrow against, repay, and reborrow, such as a business card or revolving vendor line. Approval, reporting, and timing vary by provider.
Equifax Business’s 1–100 score, derived from trade-line payment history. It is the third leg of the bureau stool alongside Paydex and Intelliscore Plus — all three move together as vendor trade lines report.
A single credit account on your bureau report — one vendor, one card, one loan. The build path works by stacking tradelines that report to D&B, Experian Business, and Equifax Business under your EIN.
Credit a supplier extends for goods or services and may report to one or more commercial bureaus. Provider requirements can include business information, personal credit, a guarantee, revenue, payment, or other conditions.