How do wholesalers build business credit for a new company?

Set up the company properly (legal entity, EIN, business bank account), get a D-U-N-S number, then use credit that reports to business credit bureaus and pay it on time. Supplier accounts with net terms and a business credit card are the usual building blocks. It takes months of on-time payments, and no provider can promise a score or approval.

What business credit is

A business has its own credit file, separate from the owner's personal file. SBA guidance notes that a business can have a credit identity for each company, tied to an EIN or a D-U-N-S number rather than a Social Security number. Banks, suppliers and lenders can look at it when deciding whether to extend credit or terms.

Step 1: Separate the business from yourself

• Form an LLC or corporation. Structure helps keep personal and business finances apart.
• Get an EIN from the IRS.
• Open a business bank account and run all business income and spending through it.
• Use a business address and phone number that appear consistently on your filings, website and applications.

Owners can live outside the US, with a US company, and the same steps apply.

Step 2: Get a D-U-N-S number

Dun & Bradstreet assigns businesses a nine-digit D-U-N-S number. Many suppliers and lenders look it up. Create a profile and keep your company details accurate. It's free to request, and as of October 2026 D&B says normal processing can take up to 30 business days (a paid option speeds that up) (D&B).

Step 3: Add trade lines

A trade line is credit from a supplier or lender that gets reported to a bureau. For wholesalers, the common ones are:

• Supplier net terms. Net 30 means you pay 30 days after invoice. Pay on time, and ask whether the supplier reports payments to business credit bureaus, because not all do.
• A business credit card. Pick one that fits your spending, and ask if and where it reports.
• Small credit lines or loans that you repay on schedule.

Dun & Bradstreet's PAYDEX score runs from 1 to 100 and reflects how promptly you pay suppliers.

Step 4: Pay on time, every time

Payment history is the main driver of most business credit scores. Set up autopay for the full balance if cash flow allows, and keep a calendar of due dates for supplier invoices.

Step 5: Check your reports

Review your business credit reports at the bureaus, fix errors, and keep your company information consistent everywhere. The three main business credit bureaus are Dun & Bradstreet, Experian and Equifax.

What not to do

• Don't rely on personal guarantees without understanding them. They put your personal credit and assets at risk.
• Don't apply for many credit lines at once.
• Don't pay for a "business credit builder" that promises a score. Nobody can guarantee one.

Where Shield fits

For newer companies, Shield's business credit card limits are based on company revenue, cash flow, reserves and operating history, not your personal credit. No personal credit score check or personal guarantee is required to apply, there are no upfront or subscription fees for cardholders, and the card is pay-in-full. Approval isn't guaranteed.

FAQ

How long does it take to build business credit? It depends on how many accounts report and how consistently you pay. Expect months, not days.

Do I need good personal credit? Some lenders look at the owner's personal credit for new companies. Others, including Shield, base card decisions on the business.

Does paying a supplier early help? It can improve a PAYDEX-type score if the supplier reports. Check first.

Next step

To see Shield's business credit card, visit Shield business credit cards.