Resources for Small Businesses

Commonly Asked Questions about the SBFE Model

I have confirmed with my lender that they are an SBFE member and report my commercial payment history to SBFE, how do I: 1.) secure a copy of my SBFE data-driven credit report or 2.)  file a dispute due to an error or missing information found on the D&B, Experian, Equifax, and/or LexisNexis Risk Solutions credit report?

If you believe an item on your business credit report is inaccurate and would like to file a dispute, or if you would like a copy of your commercial credit report, please contact the commercial bureaus listed below. You must use the specific contact information listed below (rather than the general customer service lines) to be directed to teams that are familiar with SBFE .

Dun&Bradstreet
Phone (Enterprise Service Team): (866) 248-1450
LexisNexis Risk Solutions
Phone:
(800) 382-6228
Mail:
LexisNexis Risk Solutions Inc.
Attention: Small Business Advocacy Center
P.O. Box 105108
Atlanta, GA 30348-5108
Equifax
Phone:
(800) 727-8495
Mail:
Equifax Commercial Solutions
P.O. Box 740249
Atlanta, GA 30374-0249
What is the Small Business Financial Exchange, Inc, familiarly known as SBFE?

SBFE is a trade association for small business lenders and a commercial data repository. SBFE is not a commercial credit reporting agency and does not build or offer credit reports, scores, or models.

How does my business’s payment information get to SBFE?

If your commercial lender is an SBFE member, your payment history is reported by your lender to the SBFE. SBFE then provides that payment history to the following commercial credit reporting agencies: D&B, Experian, Equifax, and LexisNexis Risk Solutions.  The commercial credit reporting agencies combine your payment history information with other data sources (such as public record, Secretary of State filings, and trade-type account receivable data) and use all the information to create certain credit reports, models, and scores.

If my commercial lender reports my company’s payment history to SBFE will this information be included in all D&B, Experian, Equifax, and LexisNexis Risk Solutions commercial credit reports and scores?

No, the payment history reported by SBFE members will only be found in a subset of credit risk products developed by D&B, Experian, Equifax and LexisNexis Risk Solutions. Each commercial credit reporting agency offers various types of credit reports and scores that are built from different data sources (which may or may not include SBFE data). Each lender determines which products to purchase from the commercial credit reporting agencies.

What information is reported by SBFE members?

The commercial lenders who choose to join SBFE report the payment history tied to extensions of credit (such as commercial term loans, lines of credit, leases, and credit cards).

As a small business can I become an SBFE member and report directly to SBFE?

No.  Small businesses are not permitted to join SBFE or report their payment history directly to SBFE.

What commercial lenders are SBFE members?

SBFE cannot disclose its membership lists.  Ask your commercial lender if it is an SBFE member.

How the SBFE Model Works

SBFE gathers and protects the largest aggregation of small business payment data in the US and leverages the power of that data to help the small business industry build a true and accurate picture of small business credit.

STEP 1: SBFE MEMBERS

Small business lenders and merchant acquirers become members and contribute their commercial performance data to SBFE where it is protected from marketing use.

STEP 2: SBFE

SBFE normalizes data received from members and governs both contribution quality and SBFE vendor compliance.

STEP 3: SBFE Vendors

Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax, Experian and LexisNexis Risk Solutions are the SBFE-approved commercial credit reporting agencies who develop risk products such as commercial credit reports and scores using SBFE Data compiled with other sources.

STEP 4: SBFE members

Members may purchase SBFE Data-driven products developed and offered by SBFE Certified Vendors for their credit decisioning and portfolio monitoring functions.

Resources to Help Build My Business

The organizations below provide valuable resources for U.S. small businesses. Visit their websites to learn more.

Small Business Administration (SBA):

Your local Small Business Development Center:

Your local SCORE Business Mentor: