What Do Banks See When They Look At Your Credit Report?

Rakesh had applied for a housing loan with a leading housing finance company. However, when he read in the newspapers that XYZ Bank is offering relatively lower interest rate, it definitely appealed to him to approach XYZ Bank. Considering the high loan amount, even a 0.50% benefit in interest rate does make a huge difference in the overall outflow from one’s pocket. While the bank was doing its due diligence before sanctioning him the loan, Rakesh’s credit report was also fetched by the bank. Curious about what all would show up in the Credit Report, he visited Aditya, his neighbor and also a Chartered Accountant to look for answers.

“There’s more to a credit report than just how much of money you owe to banks. The credit report details out all of your credit information as has been gathered by the Credit Information Bureau (such as CRIF) from the banks, NBFCs and other types of lenders. Bankers keenly review various details in your credit report before approving the loan.” Aditya said and continued further.

Details Fetched By Bankers From The Credit Report:

1. Credit score: It is the first impression the banker can have of you as a borrower while going through your credit report. Reflecting your repayment tendencies, it indeed impacts your access to the credit. For an individual with a regular credit history, the credit score ranges from 300 to 900. For a bank, higher the credit score, lesser is the probability of customer defaulting on the loan. It, therefore, becomes imperative for you to have a better credit score i.e. above 700.

2. How much you owe and to whom  Your credit report includes information about each of your existing credit accounts, including credit cards, home loans, car loans, personal loans etc. This helps them since the existing liabilities on you and also the type of loans taken by you. Every loan will tend to reduce the repayment capacity of the borrower for a new loan. Bank will be able to understand your monthly outflows (sum of EMI amount and card payments) towards your loans.

3. Repayment habits  This is the primary parameter which impacts your credit score as well. Your credit report tells the potential lenders about your repayment tendencies. It shows up how much amounts are overdue presently, how much amounts had been overdue in the past and in case any one-time-settlement has been resorted to by the borrower in respect of the loans.

4. Are you a Loan Hungry Individual? – In case you applied for loans with many banks in a short period or applied for many loans or cards every couple of months, you’ll seem less appealing to potential lenders. A banker may conclude that you have a high dependency upon debts and therefore you may be desperate for loans.

5. Personal Details Your credit report will also contain information of your addresses for your existing loans and credit cards. As such, the banker can have a fair idea about the stability of your residence i.e. how long you have been staying at your current place of residence etc.

“So in a nutshell, a credit report is the mirror of my credit profile and repayment habits. A bank is giving my incentive on interest rate if I have a good credit score the since they see me as the less risky customer.” Rakesh tried summarizing his lesson.

“Spot on!” Aditya beamed hearing his disciple’s summarization. “You are the solution of all my financial worries. No wonder, I totally rely upon you.” Rakesh quipped.