D&B rating

D&B rating is one of the most useful tools when deciding on lending terms!

This is a brief indication of the risk involved in doing business with the company.

Example (Part I) - D&B rating 5A 4

The D&B rating consists of two parts: Financial condition indicator (shown as 5A in the example) Risk indicator (shown as 4 in the example).

Financial position indicator​

The financial position indicator is determined on the basis of equity or shareholders' capital of the surveyed company.
If both figures are available, then equity is used first to determine the financial position.

Based on equity Based on shareholders' equity
5A  Financial position 60 + million 5AA  Financial position 60 + million
4A  Financial position 25 - 60 million 4AA  Financial position 25 - 60 million
3A  Financial position 12-25 million 3AA  Financial position 12-25 million
2A  Financial position 2,5-12 million 2AA  Financial position 2,5-12 million
1A  Financial position 1,2-2,5 million 1AA  Financial position 1,2-2,5 million
A Financial position 600,000-1,2 million   AA Financial position 600,000-1,2 million
B Financial position 345,000 - 600,000 BB Financial position 345,000 - 600,000
C Financial position 175,000 - 345,000 CC Financial position 175,000 - 345,000
D Financial position 120,000 - 175,000 DD Financial position 175,000 - 345,000
E Financial position 60,000 - 120,000 EE Financial position 60,000 - 120,000
F Financial position 35,000 - 60,000 FF Financial position 35,000 - 60,000
G Financial position 15,000 - 35,000 GG Financial position 15,000 - 35,000
H Financial position 0 - 15,000 HH Financial position 0 - 15,000


Other codes to use:

  • N - Financial situation is negative
  • O - Financial situation cannot be determined
  • NB - New company working for less than two years
  • NQ - Company was liquidated

Meanings of risk indicator

The meanings of the risk indicator are determined using those sections of the Business Report that indicate how the company fulfills its obligations.

Risk indicator  Risk of default Interpretation
1 Minimal risk Possible cooperation on the proposed terms
2 Low risk Cooperation possible
3 More than medium risk Cooperation is possible, but constant monitoring of the company's financial condition is required
4 High risk Special guarantees must be obtained before crediting
5 Insufficient. Too little information for decision making D&B does not have public or other relevant information to determine the company's activity


More about the Risk Indicator:

  • Excellent conditions (1)
    This rating is given to companies with absolutely stable credit and financial position. There is no or very little risk associated with lending to this company - the company pays its bills on time.
  • Good conditions (2)
    This rating is given to financially stable groups that do not have overdue invoices to suppliers. The risk of lending to such a company is small and can be classified as normal trading risk.
  • Satisfactory conditions (3)
    This rating is given to groups that initially appear to be financially sound, but still reveal overdue bills or working capital deficits or losses. The risk associated with lending to this company is higher and can be classified as a significant trading risk associated with late payments.
  • Bad conditions (4)
    This rating is given to groups with certain financial problems. Losses over several years; working capital deficit is high, negative equity continues to decline, court recoveries, payment delays, etc. The risk associated with lending to such a company is high.
  • Risk not determined (-)
    This assessment is given to groups if the known information is insufficient to get an idea of ​​the circumstances, financial position or payment history. A group that does not have a telephone number also receives a rating (-).

Example, (Part II): D&B Rating 5A 4

Thus, in this example, the rating offers a company with a financial position of 60+ million (apparently founded with equity) and in poor conditions with a significant level of risk. It is recommended that the supplier obtain appropriate guarantees before lending.