What Is A Paydex Score & Why Does It Matter?

As a business owner, maintaining a good credit score is essential for accessing financing, securing new contracts, and building a positive reputation in the industry. However, many business owners are unaware of the Paydex Score, a credit scoring system specifically designed for businesses. The Paydex Score is an important tool that lenders and vendors use to assess the creditworthiness of a business.

In this blog, we will explore what the Paydex Score is, why it's important for your business, how to check and improve your score, and how it differs from other business credit scores. Whether you're a new business owner or an experienced entrepreneur, understanding the Paydex Score is crucial for managing your business finances and securing the resources you need to grow and succeed in business banking.

Overview of The Paydex Score

Just like everyone in the United States has a credit score, all businesses have a Paydex Score. You have to have a minimum of 4 trade references on your business credit report to be able to have a Paydex score calculated.

Paydex score is a credit rating system that evaluates the creditworthiness of businesses. It is maintained by Dun & Bradstreet, one of the three business credit reporting agencies. Unlike your personal credit score, your Paydex score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better creditworthiness.

The Paydex score is based on a business's payment history (trade references). Dun & Bradstreet collects payment information from trade partners, suppliers, and lenders and calculates the score based on how promptly a business pays its bills. Late payments, collections, and bankruptcies can lower the score, while on-time payments can raise it.

The Paydex score is widely used by lenders, suppliers, and other businesses to evaluate the creditworthiness of potential partners. A high score indicates that a business is likely to pay its bills on time, which reduces the risk of default for lenders and suppliers. This can lead to more favorable credit terms, such as lower interest rates or longer payment periods.

How is Paydex Score Used?

The PAYDEX score serves as a critical reference point for various individuals and organizations in their decision-making process regarding collaboration with your business. Financial institutions rely on your score to assess whether to extend loans and the associated terms. Here's how different types of entities you may engage with utilize your Paydex Score:

• Landlords: Landlords may examine your business's PAYDEX Score when determining your eligibility for leasing a business location.
• Lenders: Lenders also take your PAYDEX Score into account when evaluating your suitability for a business loan or business credit card.
• Suppliers: Suppliers refer to your business's PAYDEX Score to gauge the likelihood of timely invoice payments and to establish credit terms for your account.

When a prospective business partner seeks to engage with your company, they often include a review of your PAYDEX Score as part of their due diligence process. Access to your PAYDEX Score is available to anyone or any business through the D&B website.

What is A Good Paydex Score?

A lower PAYDEX score for a business signifies a greater risk of late payments, which can be concerning for lenders.

• 80-100: Low risk of late payments
• 50-79: Medium risk of late payments
• 0-49: High risk of late payments

The Paydex score classifications are as follows:

How Is A Paydex Score Calculated?

As stated above, your Paydex score is calculated by Dun & Bradstreet based on payment data collected from a variety of sources, including trade partners, suppliers, and lenders. The payment data is used to create a payment history for a business, which is then used to calculate the Paydex score.

The payment history includes information about how promptly a business pays its bills, such as the number of days it takes to pay invoices and whether payments are made on time or are late. The payment history is analyzed over a 12-month period, and the Paydex score is updated every 30 days based on new payment information.

To calculate the Paydex score, Dun & Bradstreet assigns a score of 0 to 100 to each payment experience reported by trade partners and suppliers. A score of 100 is given for payments made within terms, while lower scores are given for payments made after the due date. Scores of 70 or below indicate that a business frequently pays its bills late, which can indicate a higher risk of default.

Dun & Bradstreet then calculates an overall Paydex score by weighting each payment experience based on the amount of the invoice. Payments for larger invoices carry more weight in the calculation than payments for smaller invoices. The overall Paydex score is then used by lenders, suppliers, and other businesses to assess the creditworthiness of a business and make decisions about extending credit or entering into business relationships with your business.

Components and Factors Of A Paydex Score

1. Payment history: This is the most important component of the Paydex score. It measures the company's payment history with its suppliers and vendors. The score is calculated based on how promptly the company pays its bills. A score of 100 is awarded if a company pays its bills before they are due, while a score of 0 is awarded if a company pays its bills 120 or more days after they are due.
2. Number of trade experiences: This component reflects the number of credit accounts that a company has with its suppliers and vendors. The more trade experiences a company has, the more data there is to evaluate the company's payment history.
3. Credit utilization: This component reflects the amount of credit that a company is using compared to its available credit. A high credit utilization ratio can be a sign of financial distress and can negatively impact a company's Paydex score.
4. Creditworthiness of suppliers: This component reflects the creditworthiness of the suppliers and vendors that a company does business with. If a company has a history of doing business with suppliers and vendors with good credit scores, it can positively impact its Paydex score.
5. Length of credit history: This component reflects the length of time that a company has been doing business with its suppliers and vendors. A longer credit history can positively impact a company's Paydex score, as it provides more data to evaluate the company's payment history.

The Importance Of A Paydex Score

When credit lenders, vendors, suppliers, and other businesses view your Paydex score, they make an instant assumption and judgement about your business. Your Paydex score leaves a big impression - good or bad. Your Paydex score also plays a part in qualifying your business for credit and growth opportunities.

A high Paydex score demonstrates that a company has a solid financial history and is likely to make timely payments, which can increase its chances of securing financing and favorable credit terms from vendors. Maintaining a good Paydex score is important for companies looking to establish a strong credit profile.

A Paydex score provides a quick and easy way for lenders, suppliers, and investors to evaluate a business's financial health. A low score can be a red flag that a company is struggling to pay its bills, while a high score signals that a company is creditworthy and can be trusted to make payments on time. Lenders and suppliers may also use the Paydex score to determine credit limits, interest rates, and payment terms for a business. For these reasons, maintaining a good Paydex score is crucial for any company looking to grow and expand.

A high Paydex score can also give a business a competitive advantage in its industry. It can increase its chances of being approved for loans and credit lines, and it can help it negotiate better terms with suppliers. A good Paydex score can also help a company attract new customers, as it signals that the company is financially stable and trustworthy. Overall, maintaining a good Paydex score is an important part of any business's financial strategy, and can lead to increased success and profitability in the long term.

How to Check Your Paydex Score

You can check your Paydex score right on Dun & Bradstreet’s website. You will need to purchase a business credit report that has the Paydex score on it. Dun & Bradstreet does offer a 14-day free trial in which you can view your business credit score.

How To Check Another Business’s Paydex Score?

Individuals or entities can access another company's business credit report by subscribing to D&B Credit Intelligence. Customers, suppliers, lenders, and landlords may find it beneficial to examine other companies' PAYDEX Scores for the following purposes:

• Assess whether they should engage in business with your company.
• Establish credit terms that align with your business's financial risk profile.
• Determine appropriate insurance premiums.
• Evaluate the suitability of your business as a potential tenant.

Tips On Improving Your Paydex Score

Improving your Paydex score can be crucial to building a strong credit profile for your business. Here are some tips to help you improve your Paydex score:

• Pay bills on time: This may seem obvious, but paying your bills on time is the most important factor in improving your Paydex score. Late payments can significantly lower your score, so make sure to pay all bills on or before their due date.
• Monitor your credit utilization: Keep your credit utilization low by not using more than 30% of your credit limit. This can help you improve your Paydex score over time and shows lenders, vendors, and suppliers that you aren’t using most of your credit, which can be a sign of financial distress within your business.
• Establish credit with multiple suppliers: Having credit accounts with multiple suppliers can help you diversify your credit history and improve your Paydex score. The better payment history you have with the most suppliers, the better your Paydex score becomes.
• Negotiate payment terms: Negotiate payment terms with your suppliers that allow you to pay bills over a longer period of time. This can help you improve your payment history and your Paydex score.
• Correct errors in your credit report: Check your credit report for any errors and dispute them with the credit bureau. Incorrect information on your credit report can hurt your Paydex score.
• Keep your credit accounts open: Keep your credit accounts open even if you're not using them actively. Having a longer credit history can help improve your Paydex score.
• Monitor your credit report: Regularly check your credit report to ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date. If you find any
• errors, dispute them with the credit bureau.
• Use credit responsibly: Use credit responsibly and avoid opening too many accounts at once. This can help you maintain a strong credit profile and improve your Paydex score over time.

How Can a Company Establish a Paydex Score?

To establish a PAYDEX score, the initial step is to acquire a D-U-N-S (Data Universal Numbering System) number for your business from Dun & Bradstreet. This number serves as the business equivalent of a social security number, enabling you to initiate the process of building a business credit file. This process is typically free and may take up to 30 days, although you can expedite it for a fee of $229.

Once you've obtained your D-U-N-S number, additional steps are generally not required to trigger the creation of a PAYDEX score. Dun & Bradstreet automatically tracks newly formed businesses by monitoring governmental databases and begins aggregating data for these businesses.

However, it's important to note that Dun & Bradstreet necessitates a minimum of three reported trade experiences from at least two trade references to calculate a business's PAYDEX score. The most effective way to initiate this process is to establish trade relationships and consistently make payments on time or even ahead of schedule. This can be achieved by opening business credit cards and securing business loans, as long as you can meet your payment obligations punctually.

It's advisable for business owners to refrain from using personal credit for their company since PAYDEX scores exclusively encompass commercial transaction history. Consequently, personal loans or the use of personal credit cards for business expenses, even if they are legitimate business expenditures, will not contribute to your PAYDEX score.

The Paydex Score vs. Other Business Credit Scores

The Paydex score is just one of several business credit scores available, but it is one of the most widely used and recognized. Other business credit scores include the Experian Business Credit Score, Equifax Business Credit Score, and FICO SBSS Score.

The main difference between the Paydex score and other business credit scores is the scoring model and the factors that are used to calculate the score. For example, the Experian Business Credit Score is based on a scale of 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating a lower risk of delinquency. This score is based on factors such as credit utilization, payment history, and credit inquiries.

The Equifax Business Credit Score is also based on a scale of 0 to 100, but it takes into account additional factors such as business size, industry, and length of credit history.

The FICO SBSS Score, on the other hand, is used by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to determine eligibility for SBA loans. This score takes into account factors such as personal credit history, business revenue, and years in business.

While these scores may differ in their calculation methods and the factors used to determine them, they all serve a similar purpose: to help lenders and creditors assess the creditworthiness of a business. It's important to monitor all of your business credit scores regularly to ensure that your credit profile is accurate and up-to-date. Improving your credit profile across all scores can help you secure financing, negotiate better payment terms with suppliers, and grow your business.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Paydex Score?

Typically, within three to six months following the issuance of your business's D-U-N-S number, Dun & Bradstreet may generate your business's PAYDEX Score. However, the timeline hinges on the reporting of three Trade Experiences by at least two different entities. Depending on the nature of your business transactions and whether your vendors or suppliers report your payments, D&B might not be able to create a score for your business for an extended period, possibly even years. You can expedite this process by taking the initiative to request your vendors and suppliers to report to Dun and Bradstreet if they aren't already doing so.

Advantages To Utilizing A Paydex Score vs. Other Business Credit Scores

There are several advantages of having a Paydex score over other business credit scores, including:

1. Industry standard: The Paydex score is widely recognized and used by many businesses and credit agencies, making it an industry standard for assessing a business's creditworthiness.
2. Simple scoring system: The Paydex score is easy to understand and interpret. It is based on a scale of 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating a better payment history.
3. Focus on payment history: The Paydex score places a strong emphasis on a business's payment history, which is the most important factor in determining creditworthiness. This means that businesses with a strong payment history are more likely to have a high Paydex score.
4. Accessible to small businesses: The Paydex score is accessible to small businesses and does not require a lengthy credit history or extensive financial information. This makes it a useful tool for new and small businesses looking to establish credit.
5. Ability to improve score quickly: Because the Paydex score places such a strong emphasis on payment history, businesses can improve their score relatively quickly by paying bills on time.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, a Paydex score is a credit score that measures a business's payment history and creditworthiness. It is a critical tool for businesses to use when applying for loans or trade credit as it provides potential lenders and partners with a quick assessment of a business's financial stability. A high Paydex score indicates that a business is reliable and pays its bills on time, reducing the risk for lenders and increasing the likelihood of receiving favorable financing terms. It also helps businesses to identify areas of improvement and maintain a positive credit history by ensuring they prioritize timely payments. Understanding and monitoring your Paydex score is essential for any business that wants to succeed and grow financially.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I establish business credit?

To establish a strong business credit profile, begin by ensuring that your business is officially registered within your state. Following this, acquire a D-U-N-S number by submitting an application through Dun & Bradstreet. Once you've successfully completed these initial steps, embark on conducting business transactions with entities that regularly report payment histories to business credit agencies. These could include your vendors, suppliers, credit builder accounts, and offers for business loans. Another effective method to build your business credit is by obtaining business credit cards.

With these foundational steps in place, you can now commence the process of developing your credit profile. Ensure that you meet payment terms and consistently make timely payments on all your open accounts. If possible, consider making early payments. It's crucial to bear in mind that payment history holds the utmost significance when it comes to building business credit. Timely payments will strengthen your credit score, whereas late payments have the potential to negatively impact it.

Do I need a Paydex score for my business in order to get a loan?

Dun & Bradstreet, one of the leading commercial credit bureaus, generates the PAYDEX Score. Since most lenders assess your business credit score when you apply for a business loan, having a PAYDEX score is essential if you intend to secure a loan.

How can a company improve its Paydex score?

Improving a PAYDEX score, much like enhancing personal credit, requires patience, but it's achievable. The most effective approach to raise a low PAYDEX score is by expanding your commercial credit and consistently meeting or even exceeding payment deadlines.

One strategy is to consider opening a new commercial credit card or securing a business loan. Since PAYDEX scores are influenced by dollar amounts, settling a larger debt can have a more pronounced impact. Nonetheless, timely payment of all commercial debts, regardless of their size, contributes positively to the gradual improvement of your PAYDEX score.

Given that businesses are often unaware of which companies report transaction history to Dun & Bradstreet, it's advisable for businesses to assume that all commercial transactions will factor into their PAYDEX score. Therefore, striving to make on-time payments for all debts whenever possible is a prudent approach.

How can a company check its Paydex score?

Maintaining a high PAYDEX score is crucial for businesses as it opens doors to increased credit opportunities and more favorable interest rates. Therefore, it's essential for all companies to regularly monitor their PAYDEX score. You can easily access your PAYDEX score by subscribing to Dun & Bradstreet's credit checker service, CreditSignal.

What are the main business credit scores?

The primary trio of business credit scores is provided by Dun and Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax. These three credit scores, like your personal credit scores from TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian, typically span a scale of 1 to 100.

What is a good Paydex score?

Good PAYDEX scores fall within the range of 80 (indicating consistent on-time payments) to 100 (the highest achievable score). Scores below 80 suggest that a business tends to settle its obligations later than the specified due dates.

What other business credit reporting scores are there?

Apart from the PAYDEX score offered by Dun & Bradstreet, there are other business credit score reporting agencies, such as the FICO Small Business Scoring Service (SBSS) and Experian Intelliscore Plus.

About The Author

Bryan Huynh

Product Tester & Writer

Bryan Huynh, a committed Product Tester and Writer, ensures that you are well-informed, guiding you in discovering and comparing top-rated financial services, including personal loans, business loans, credit repair, and tax relief.

Articles by Bryan Huynh

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