credit reference
noun[C]
ukusFINANCE,BANKING
areportthatprovidesinformationabout a person's or company'sabilitytopaytheirdebts:
Thebankcannotdecidewhichratetoofferacustomeruntil it hasreceivedanapplicationand canseekacreditreference.
You mayfeeluncomfortableaskinga newcustomerforcreditreferences, but it is goodbusinesspractice.