Everything you need to know about business tradelines, authorized user tradelines, and aged shelf companies. Can't find your answer? Contact us directly.
Business Tradelines FAQ
Business Tradelines
We help business owners strengthen their business credit by adding permanent primary tradelines that report to all five major commercial credit bureaus — Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, Equifax Business, LexisNexis, and the Small Business Financial Exchange — every month, permanently.
Establishing positive business credit makes it easier to get approval for business loans, vehicle loans, and equipment lines of credit — and can help qualify for larger funding amounts. Lenders always request business credit reports, so a strong profile is critical before you apply.
Our business tradelines are permanent — they report every month with no expiration. Unlike products that drop off after a set period, our accounts remain on your credit file and continue contributing to your profile indefinitely.
Our tradelines report to Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax, while also contributing to LexisNexis and SBFE—the same systems lenders use to evaluate funding:
Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) — Builds your PAYDEX score and establishes your business credit file
Experian Business — Impacts your Intelliscore and lender visibility
Equifax Business — Supports your Business Credit Risk score
LexisNexis — Enhances business credibility and verification data
Our tradelines also contribute to the Small Business Financial Exchange (SBFE) — a lender data network used by banks and financial institutions during funding decisions.
Tradelines typically begin reporting within 35 days. We guarantee reliable posting within 60–90 business days after processing. Plan your timeline accordingly — especially if preparing for an upcoming funding application.
Tradelines can be aged back to your company's formation date. A business incorporated three years ago can show three years of history — instead of zero. Age of credit history is one of the most heavily weighted factors in commercial credit scoring.
Yes — your business must be at least 6 months old. This is a compliance requirement tied to our reporting infrastructure. If your business is under 6 months old, we recommend a free consultation to discuss preparation steps you can take in the meantime.
A primary business tradeline is an account that reports directly in your business name and appears on your business credit reports (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business).
Your business is responsible for the account, and the payment activity contributes to building your business credit profile.
An authorized user (AU) tradeline is tied to someone else’s account. You are added to that account, but you do not own it or have responsibility for the debt, and it typically reports to consumer credit reports, not your business.
Yes. We work with funding brokers, credit consultants, and corporate service providers. We offer professional volume arrangements — contact us directly to discuss a partnership structure that fits your practice and client volume.
Authorized User Tradelines FAQ
AU Tradelines
An authorized user is a person listed on a credit account they do not own. Being added as an authorized user on an account with positive history can help boost your personal credit score or increase available credit. Authorized users cannot access or spend on the account.
Tradeline is an industry term for a credit account — including credit cards, lines of credit, car loans, mortgages, and more.
Each tradeline represents a record of activity on a credit report, including payment history, account age, and credit limit.
Credit card holders are everyday people with good credit history who want to help others improve their scores for a limited time — by selling their unused authorized user spots. This process is legal and backed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Lines should report to your credit file within 7–14 days after the statement date — the date the credit card company reports history to the bureaus. Timing can vary slightly by bureau and card issuer.
Contact our Customer Support team. We'll review your credit report to verify whether the line posted. If you followed all instructions and the line is not present, you will receive a comparable tradeline or a refund.
We cannot predict the exact increase — many factors influence your score. The age of the line, credit limit, and number of lines you purchase all affect how much of a boost you can expect. Results vary by individual credit profile.
When purchasing an authorized user tradeline, you will not receive a physical credit card or access to the account. The account remains fully controlled by the primary cardholder, and your role is limited to being listed for reporting purposes only. In other situations—such as being added by a friend or family member with their consent—the primary account holder may choose to provide you with a card and allow access to the account. This is entirely at their discretion.
Some tradelines require you to update a specific address in your credit monitoring service 4–10 days after the statement date for the line to appear on your report. This can be done through Identity IQ, CreditCheckTotal, FreeCreditReport.com, or Experian.
Yes. Adding authorized users is backed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and is an option available to all credit card holders. It has commonly been used for family members and friends. We are not lawyers — please consult an attorney for specific legal guidance regarding your situation.
Aged Shelf Companies FAQ
Aged Shelf Companies
An aged shelf company is a business entity legally formed in a prior year and maintained in good standing with the Secretary of State — without ever conducting business operations. When ownership is transferred, the new owner receives an entity with an established formation date already on record.
Project stability and credibility in the marketplace
Access higher amounts of business credit
Meet time-in-business requirements for vendors and lenders
Overcome sales objections based on business age
Commercial landlords prefer to lease to older businesses
Even the playing field with established competitors
A clean unused company in active good standing, never dissolved
No EIN — confirming the company is clean of debt and liabilities
Filed Articles of Incorporation or Organization
Four Certificates of Good Standing
First-year Registered Agent Service
Operating Agreement or Corporate Bylaws
Company Resolutions
Secretary of State update reflecting new ownership and business address
Yes. Aged shelf companies are properly formed legal entities maintained in good standing. Purchasing one is simply a transfer of ownership — similar to acquiring any other company. The entity must be used in compliance with all applicable laws once ownership is transferred.
No. An aged shelf company does not automatically include existing business credit history — it must be built after acquisition. Our Ultimate Package includes a $50k business tradeline to help you get started faster.
Most transfers are completed within 24–48 hours after payment and ownership documentation are finalized. Documents are delivered via email, with physical copies mailed via USPS Priority Mail.
Yes. International entrepreneurs frequently acquire U.S. aged companies to establish a U.S. business presence. We transfer to both domestic and international buyers — contact us to discuss documentation requirements for international transactions.
