Which credit bureau is most used?

While Experian is the largest credit bureau and often cited as most used by lenders, all three major bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—are widely utilized, with many lenders pulling from multiple sources, especially for big loans like mortgages, where they often use the middle score from all three. Experian is the biggest in the U.S., but Equifax and TransUnion are just as crucial, with lenders choosing based on product and history.

What credit bureau is the most accurate?

No single credit bureau (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) is inherently "most accurate"; they all collect data from lenders, but may have slight variations, so it's best to monitor all three for errors as lenders use different ones, with FICO being the most common scoring model used in lending decisions. 

Is TransUnion or Equifax more important?

Neither TransUnion nor Equifax is inherently more important; their significance depends on which bureau a specific lender uses, as they collect slightly different data, with major lenders often checking all three (Equifax, TransUnion, Experian) and using the middle score for big loans like mortgages. You need good credit with all three because different lenders partner with different bureaus, so it's crucial to monitor all of your credit reports for accuracy and build strong credit across the board. 

Is Experian or Equifax used more?

Experian's Reporting Practices and Data Collection

More companies use Experian for credit reporting than use Equifax. This alone does not make Experian better, but it does indicate that any particular debt is more likely to appear on an Experian reports.

Is FICO or Credit Karma more accurate?

FICO is generally more "accurate" for lending decisions because most lenders use it, while Credit Karma provides a useful VantageScore estimate that differs due to different models, data from only Equifax/TransUnion (not Experian), and timing, often resulting in scores 20-50 points off from lenders' FICO scores, though both show your credit health trend. For real loan approvals, the lender's specific FICO score (often mid-range from three bureaus) is what matters. 

The difference between Equifax and Transunion(Canada)

How far off is Credit Karma from FICO?

Credit Karma (VantageScore) can differ from FICO scores by a few points up to 20-50 points or even more, sometimes over 100, because they use different models (VantageScore vs. FICO) and bureaus, with FICO being the standard lenders often use for major decisions, while Credit Karma tracks trends well but might miss certain negative items. The main differences stem from varying factor weightings (e.g., payment history, credit age) and data access, but generally, they stay in a similar range, though your real FICO score for a loan could be significantly lower if collections aren't shown on Credit Karma. 

What is my credit rating if my FICO Score is 700?

FICO, the most widely used credit scoring model, categorizes scores into the following ranges: 300–579: Poor. 580–669: Fair. 670–739: Good.

Do banks look at Equifax or Experian?

Lenders may consider reports from one of the credit rating agencies such as Experian or Equifax to determine your creditworthiness.

What credit score do you need for a $400,000 house?

Credit Score

When applying for a $400,000 home, lenders evaluate your credit scores to determine eligibility and the rates you'll receive: 740+: Best rates and terms. 700-739: Slightly higher rates. 660-699: Higher rates, may require larger down payment.

Why is my Experian score so much higher than my Equifax score?

Different credit scores from Experian and Equifax are normal. Each bureau uses different scoring scales, data feeds, update timing, and scoring models. Lenders may check one or both reports—and often use their own internal risk models anyway.

Do banks use TransUnion or Equifax?

Yes, banks use both TransUnion and Equifax (along with Experian), but which one they check varies by lender and loan type; some lenders prefer one bureau, some use multiple (like a "tri-merge" for mortgages), and often they don't disclose their specific choice, but it's crucial to monitor all three as lenders pull from different ones. 

Do landlords use TransUnion or Equifax?

Landlords use all three major bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—or specialty screening services that pull from them, with TransUnion and Equifax being very common, often via landlord portals like TransUnion SmartMove or RentSpree. The specific bureau depends on the landlord or management company, but it's wise to check all three before applying, as they contain different data, with Equifax often including rental payment history and TransUnion showing more tradelines. 

Do car dealerships use Equifax or TransUnion?

Auto lenders most frequently use Equifax and Experian, but TransUnion also sells credit report data to auto lenders.

Which credit bureau does Chase use?

Chase primarily uses Experian for credit card approvals but can also pull from Equifax and sometimes TransUnion, depending on location or product, so it's wise to check all three reports. While Chase Credit Journey offers Experian data for free, lenders use various scores, so monitoring Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion is key. 

Which credit score is most trustworthy?

CIBIL (TransUnion CIBIL)

As it is the first scoring bureau, it definitely covers the major portion of the market with its combined total of credit and loan accounts. So, it's often considered the most trusted by banks and financial institutions.

Why is my credit score so different on Experian and ClearScore?

Not all credit reference agencies use the same scale for the credit scores they provide. Experian rates your creditworthiness on a scale of 0 to 999, while ClearScore uses 0 to 1000 and Credit Karma uses 0 to 710. This can make the numbers look quite different, even if they reflect a similar level of creditworthiness.

Is it true that after 7 years your credit is clear?

It's partially true: most negative items like late payments and collections fall off your credit report after about seven years, but the debt itself might still exist, and bankruptcies last longer (up to 10 years). The 7-year clock starts from the date of the first missed payment, not when it goes to collections, and older negative info must be removed by law, though the debt isn't always forgiven. 

What is the 2 2 2 credit rule?

The 2-2-2 credit rule is a guideline for lenders, especially for mortgages, suggesting borrowers should have at least two active credit accounts, open for at least two years, with at least two years of on-time payments, sometimes also requiring a minimum credit limit (like $2,000) for each. It shows lenders you can consistently manage multiple debts, building confidence in your financial responsibility beyond just a high credit score, and helps you qualify for larger loans. 

How much of a house can I afford if I make $70,000 a year?

With a $70,000 salary, you can generally afford a house between $210,000 and $350,000, but your actual budget depends heavily on your credit score, existing debts, down payment, and current mortgage rates, with lenders often following the 28/36 rule (housing costs under 28% of gross income, total debt under 36%). A good starting point is keeping your total monthly housing payment (PITI) under $1,633, but a lower Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio and larger down payment increase your buying power. 

What is the 3 7 3 rule for a mortgage?

The correct answer option was, "B!" TRID establishes the 3/7/3 Rule by defining how long after an application the LE needs to be issued (3 days), the amount of time that must elapse from when the LE is issued to when the loan may close (7 days), and how far in advance of closing the CD must be issued (3 days).

What is the average credit score in the US?

The average credit score in the U.S. is around 715 (FICO), placing it in the "Good" credit range (670-739), though recent data from late 2025 shows a slight dip to 715 from 717, partly due to resuming student loan payments, with VantageScore data showing around 701-705 as well. This average reflects a generally strong credit landscape, but scores vary significantly by age, with older generations having higher averages than younger ones. 

Which banks only pull Experian?

While few major US banks use only Experian (most use all three bureaus), Chase, Bank of America, Discover, and Capital One often pull Experian first or heavily favor it for credit cards, though results vary by card, location, and time; for specific UK options, Danske Bank and Post Office are known Experian-only lenders. 

Has anyone got a 900 credit score?

No, you generally cannot have a 900 credit score in the U.S. because the standard FICO and VantageScore models cap at 850 (a "perfect" score); however, older or specialized scores like FICO Auto or Bankcard can reach 900, but these aren't what most lenders use for general credit. While an 850 score is extremely rare (less than 2% of people), it's the highest achievable, indicating excellent creditworthiness. 

How rare is an 800 credit score?

An 800 credit score is considered exceptional, and while not perfectly rare (around 22-24% of US consumers have scores in the 800+ range as of 2025), it's still an impressive achievement indicating high creditworthiness, placing you in a top tier for the best loan rates and offers. It shows lenders you're very responsible, with long payment histories and low credit usage.
 

What credit score to get an Amex?

To get an American Express card, you generally need a Good to Excellent credit score (typically 670 or higher on the FICO scale), though requirements vary; simpler cards might accept scores in the good range, while premium cards like Platinum need very good to excellent (740+), plus other factors like income and debt matter, and you can often prequalify to check without a hard inquiry.