Lenders, including Credicorp, use business credit data as part of their assessment. Knowing what is on your company's file before you apply means no surprises — and gives you time to fix any errors that could unfairly affect your application.
Step 1 — Identify the main business credit agencies
UK business credit data is held by several agencies. The main ones used by business lenders are:
- Experian Business — one of the most widely checked; includes Companies House data, payment history, and any County Court Judgments (CCJs).
- Creditsafe — another widely-used B2B agency providing a business credit score and full report.
- Dun & Bradstreet — used by larger lenders and suppliers; relevant if your company trades on credit terms with other businesses.
- Equifax Business — used by some lenders, particularly for data on directors' personal credit linked to the company.
Step 2 — Request your reports
Most agencies allow you to request a copy of your company's report directly. Some offer free basic reports; full reports typically cost £10–£30 per agency. It is worth checking at least Experian Business and Creditsafe before a significant application.
Step 3 — Review the key data points
When you receive your reports, check the following:
- Registered address and company details — must match Companies House. Discrepancies can cause identity checks to fail.
- County Court Judgments (CCJs) — any unsatisfied CCJ will significantly affect your score. If you have paid one, ensure it is marked as satisfied at the court and that the agencies reflect this.
- Payment history — late or missed payments to trade creditors or other lenders are recorded. Recent improvement matters more than old history.
- Credit utilisation — if you have existing revolving credit, how much of the limit you are using affects your score.
Step 4 — Dispute any errors
Each agency has a dispute process. If you find incorrect data — especially a CCJ you have already paid, an address that is wrong, or a payment shown as late when it was not — raise a dispute before you apply. Corrections can take 3–4 weeks to process.
Step 5 — Understand what Credicorp looks at
Credicorp uses business credit data as one input among several. We also look at your bank account activity, affordability, and time in business. A single adverse item does not automatically mean a decline. For more detail on our decision process, see how Credicorp makes a lending decision.
See also: How Credicorp makes a lending decision, My application was declined — what should I do next?, What factors affect the loan offer Credicorp makes to your company?.