Why You Should Check Your Business Credit Report At Least Once a Year

3 Mins
07/02/2025

Your business credit report is like a portrait of your company’s financial health. It’s what lenders, suppliers, and potential partners rely on to assess your credibility and decide whether to offer you better terms, financing, or business opportunities. Keeping this report accurate and up to date is crucial to securing favorable rates and winning contracts.

A strong credit profile doesn’t happen by chance. Ensuring your business credit report reflects your company’s financial standing requires proactive management. This means running regular company credit checks, making sure your suppliers are reporting payment data, and ensuring your own business data is being shared accurately. Many businesses don’t realize that suppliers play a key role in shaping their credit profile—if they aren’t reporting your on-time payments, your credit report may not reflect your true financial stability.

Need to check your business credit report?

Search for any business to get a free report

Chapter 1

How often should you check your credit report?

At a minimum, you should check your business credit report once a year. However, if your company is growing, applying for loans, or entering new partnerships, checking more frequently is a smart move. Regular reviews help you:

  • Ensure your financial reputation remains strong and attractive to lenders and suppliers.

  • Verify that your business information is up to date and accurately reflects your financial status.

  • Make sure your suppliers are reporting data correctly, as missing or incorrect data can impact your credit profile. 

  • Identify and resolve any outdated or missing information that could limit your financial opportunities.

  • Ensure your own company is sharing data with the right sources to strengthen your business credit profile.

Creditsafe makes this easy by providing business credit reports that give you a complete picture of your company’s credit standing, including credit scores, limits, and payment trends.

Pro tip: Save time with Creditsafe’s Company Monitoring. Simply add your company to your portfolio, and you’ll receive real-time alerts if your credit score, credit limit, or financial details change—so you never miss a red flag.

checking your business credit report
Chapter 1

What happens if you don’t check your credit report?

Ignoring your business credit report could mean missing out on opportunities. Here’s what’s at stake:

  • Weaker negotiation power – Many suppliers and lenders base their payment terms on your credit report. If your report isn’t in good shape, you could miss out on better rates or extended payment terms.

  • Missed financial opportunities – A strong business credit profile increases your chances of securing funding when needed. Regular checks ensure your report reflects your actual financial health.

  • Incomplete data affecting your score – If suppliers aren’t reporting your on-time payments, your score may not fully reflect your creditworthiness. Ensuring data is reported accurately helps you maintain a strong profile. 

By staying on top of your credit report, you can position your business for financial success and minimize potential roadblocks.

Chapter 1

How to check your business credit report

Checking your business credit report is simple. With Creditsafe, you can get a free business credit report by searching any company name. Your report includes key financial insights, such as:

  • Business credit scores & limits – See where your company stands and how much credit you should qualify for.

  • Payment trends and Days Beyond Terms (DBT) – Find out if your company is paying bills on time or if there are delays that could hurt your credit profile.

  • Company ownership and group structure – Verify business ownership before entering into agreements. 

  • Compliance screening – Identify potential red flags when assessing new business partners.

Regularly reviewing this information helps ensure your business is seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner.

checking business credit report
Chapter 1

Why your credit report matters

Your business credit report is more than just a score—it’s a reflection of your company’s financial credibility. It impacts your ability to:

  • Secure better financing options – Lenders use your credit report to determine loan eligibility and interest rates.

  • Improve supplier relationships – A strong report can lead to better payment terms and higher credit limits with vendors.

  • Reduce bad debt risk – Checking the credit scores of the businesses you work with can help you avoid partnerships with financially unstable companies. 

  • Stay ahead of potential risks – Monitoring your credit report ensures you’re aware of any factors that might impact your financial standing.

One of the biggest factors influencing your credit report is data reporting. If your suppliers aren’t reporting their payment experiences with you, it could negatively impact your credit profile. Likewise, ensuring your own business data is being shared correctly can help strengthen your company’s financial reputation. Creditsafe’s business credit reports also include access to international business reports, company monitoring, and business principal reports, giving you the tools to stay informed and in control.

Chapter 1

Stay in control of your business credit

Your business credit report can either open doors or create obstacles. Checking it at least once a year (or more frequently if you’re making significant financial decisions) helps you stay in control of your financial reputation.

Don’t leave your business’s financial future to chance. Get your free business credit report with Creditsafe today and ensure your company is always in the best position possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you check your business credit score?

At a minimum, you should check your business credit score once a year—but more frequent checks can help you stay ahead of potential issues. If you’re applying for financing, negotiating with suppliers, or expanding your business, reviewing your credit score regularly ensures you catch errors, detect fraudulent activity, and maintain strong financial health. Creditsafe’s business credit reports make it easy to track changes and understand how your business is viewed by lenders and partners. 

Learn more.

Why is your business credit score important?

Your business credit score impacts your ability to secure financing, establish supplier relationships, and maintain cash flow. A strong credit score can help you qualify for better loan terms, while a poor score—or incorrect information—can limit opportunities. Regularly monitoring your score with Creditsafe’s business credit reports helps ensure your company is in the best possible financial position.

Learn more.

What is on a business credit report?

A business credit report includes key details about your company’s financial history and creditworthiness, such as:

  • Credit scores and limits – Helps lenders and suppliers assess your risk level.

  • Payment trends and Days Beyond Terms (DBT) – Shows whether your company pays on time.

  • Derogatory legal filings – Includes tax liens, judgments, and bankruptcies.

  • Company ownership and structure – Identifies key stakeholders and related entities.

  • Compliance screening – Flags potential red flags when assessing business relationships.

Creditsafe’s business credit reports provide a full financial profile to help you make informed decisions.

Learn more.

How do I check my customers’ business credit report?

Before extending credit or entering a new business relationship, it’s crucial to check a company’s financial stability. With Creditsafe, you can easily search for a business and access its credit report. This gives you insights into their payment behavior, credit score, and any legal filings—helping you avoid bad debt and risky partnerships. Simply enter a company name to get started and ensure you’re working with reliable businesses.

Learn more.

Lina Chindamo

About the Author

Lina Chindamo, DIrector, Enterprise Accounts, Creditsafe

Lina Chindamo is currently Director, Enterprise Accounts at Creditsafe Canada, and a Certified Credit Professional (CCP) with over 25 years of experience in credit risk management.  She has held senior leadership roles with leading companies in multiple industries in the Canadian market such as Sony Electronics, Maple Leaf Foods, and Mondelez Canada. 

Need to check your business credit report?

Search for any business to get a free report

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