In Australia, the number of insolvencies continues to rise every year. The causes most frequently cited include issues with cash flow, poor strategic management and trading loss. For each of these, there would have been warning signs for the business in the lead up to the failure. That is, if you knew where to look and utilise a credit score.

Credit scores: powering better business decisions

For many years, banks have used credit scores to form the base for decisions regarding credit and lending. However, the information can be in your hands too. A credit score allows you valuable insight in your customer's business. Not only this, but it can alert you to certain warnings or areas of concern. A business credit score can also be used to improve your access to credit and grow your business.

Typically, a commercial credit score ranges from -200 up to about 1200. Generally, the higher your credit score, the better it looks to a lender.

How to calculate a commercial credit score

A commercial credit score is calculated based on the information held on the business credit file at a specific time.

Your credit report contains information from many sources. It takes into account commercial credit defaults and other debts and public record information. Additionally it includes court judgements, writs, directorship details, proprietorship details and invoice payment history.

Predictive modeling and advanced technology find patterns in the data. A complex algorithm developed by Equifax’s (formerly Veda) scoring team filters this data. This algorithm determines the likelihood a business/company will record an adverse event on their credit file within the next year. A score of 200 represents a 50% chance the entity will experience an adverse event.

An adverse event on a credit file means something that could negatively impact a company’s ability to repay their debt obligations. There are many examples of adverse events such as a default, going into external administration or bankruptcy. Furthermore having a collections action or any court actions related to outstanding debts are also considered adverse events.

The information used to predict the future

Equifax’s credit reports monitor these patterns of late payment for an in-depth payment history picture of your new customer.

Equifax collects these patterns from a network of over 200 suppliers representing a cross-section of industries. These industries include business-critical services such as telecommunications, utility, transport and food services.

Professionals and businesses tend to prioritise these payments in order to operate. Consequently a late payment among these industries can be a strong indication of financial strain.

How in-depth is the credit score payment-history picture?

Over the last two years, Equifax has collected over 22 million trade references (i.e. financial references against a company). Every month Equifax updates 2.5 million references. This level of detail paints a up-to-date, widespread picture of trends, company habits and payments made outside of set terms.

One score to give you power

Reviewing a business customer’s credit score and credit report helps you avoid being unprepared. If you can foresee signs of financial distress, you can have proper processes in place to keep your business safe.

If a company is indicating a risk of insolvency, that doesn’t necessarily mean other organisations shouldn’t do business with them. It is just important to go into these relationships with their eyes open.

With increasing insolvency statistics, the Equifax business credit score will help you ensure payment terms are still appropriate to safeguard your cash flow.