This is Step 5 of 7 in the Build Business Credit guide. Complete Steps 1–4 first. Your PAYDEX should be at or above 70 before applying for accounts in this step.
With three months of consistent net-30 payment history and a PAYDEX score developing, your profile is ready for Tier 2 accounts. These carry higher credit limits, report to a wider range of bureaus, and signal to future lenders that your business can manage multiple types of credit — not just basic vendor accounts.
Store and Commercial Accounts
Store accounts with major retailers are generally easier to obtain than bank cards and often approve based on the business credit profile you have built so far rather than your personal credit score. Choose accounts for businesses you will actually use — consistent purchasing is what keeps accounts active and reporting.
| Account | Reports To | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Home Depot Pro Commercial | Experian Business | For businesses in construction, property management, or facilities. Apply online or in-store for a commercial account — separate from a consumer Home Depot card. |
| Lowe's Business | D&B | Useful for D&B PAYDEX building if you already have strong Experian coverage. Apply through Synchrony Business. |
| Staples Business Advantage | D&B | A higher-tier version of regular Staples. Apply through the business services section at staples.com — requires verifiable business entity. |
Fleet and Fuel Cards
If your business operates vehicles, fleet cards are a straightforward tradeline that many businesses overlook. They are easier to obtain than bank credit cards, report to D&B and Experian, and provide a practical line of credit for fuel and vehicle expenses.
| Card | Reports To | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WEX Fleet Card | D&B + Experian | Widely accepted fuel network; apply with EIN and D-U-N-S; no personal guarantee required in most cases |
| Shell Fleet Card | Experian | Good for businesses that purchase Shell-brand fuel; solid Experian tradeline |
Business Credit Cards
A business credit card that reports to the business credit bureaus adds revolving credit to your profile — a different type of tradeline from the installment-style vendor accounts, and one that many lenders want to see before extending a line of credit.
Most major unsecured business credit cards (Chase Ink, Amex Blue Business, U.S. Bank Business) still evaluate your personal credit score at this stage because your business credit history, while improving, is not yet sufficient to underwrite an unsecured revolving line independently. A personal credit score of 680 or above is typically required. This is expected and does not indicate a problem with your business credit strategy — it is the normal progression.
| Card | Reports To (Business Bureaus) | Personal Credit Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Spark Secured | D&B + Experian | Lower — accessible to fair credit | $200 deposit; reports to business bureaus; good entry point if personal credit is below 680 |
| Capital One Spark Cash | D&B + Experian | 670+ | Flat-rate cash back; reports to business bureaus; strong for building Experian file |
| Chase Ink Business Cash | D&B + Experian | 680+ | Strong rewards; reports to business bureaus; Chase 5/24 rule applies |
| Amex Blue Business Cash | D&B + Experian | 670+ | 2% cash back; reports to business bureaus; Amex may pull Experian for business applications |
| Brex / Ramp | D&B + Experian | None required | No personal guarantee; underwritten on revenue and bank balance; requires 6+ months operating history and verifiable cash balance |
Keeping Utilization Low
Business credit scoring models, like personal ones, factor in credit utilization — the ratio of your current balance to your total available credit. Keep revolving balances below 30% of the limit on any individual card. Carrying a balance close to the limit signals dependence on credit rather than disciplined use, and it negatively affects both your Intelliscore Plus and FICO SBSS scores.
Pay your business credit card statement in full each month where possible. If you carry a balance, keep it well below 30% and pay it down before applying for a line of credit in Step 6.
Before moving to Step 6: You should have at least one business credit card active, reporting to at least one bureau, and carrying a balance under 30% utilization. Combined with your net-30 tradelines, this gives a lender evaluating your application the multi-account, multi-type credit profile they want to see before approving a line of credit.
Build Business Credit — All Steps: Back to full guide
