What is a Credit Score?

A credit score is a number assigned to you based on an analysis of your credit files, to represent your creditworthiness. A credit score is primarily based on credit report information typically sourced from credit bureaus.

Lenders, such as banks and credit card companies, use your credit scores to evaluate the potential risk you pose by lending money to you and to mitigate their losses.  Lenders use your credit scores to determineif you qualify for a loan, at what interest rate, and what credit limits. Lenders also use your credit scores to determine if you are likely to bring in revenue.

Credit scoring is not limited to banks. Other organizations, such as mobile phone companies, insurance companies, landlords, and government departments employ the same techniques.