Build confidence with your credit
Your credit report is a summary of your personal details and financial history, such as your address and repayment record. It's collected and shared by credit reference agencies (CRAs).
In most cases, a credit report and a credit file refer to the same thing. A report is simply the readable version of the information in your credit file.
Your credit score is a number calculated by CRAs using the details in your credit file. It helps you understand your overall credit situation. Different CRAs calculate credit scores differently, but they all base their scores on how you manage your credit.
You can see your credit score and your credit report with us.
Lenders make their decisions by looking at things like your credit history, income and debts, and current market conditions. They review the information in your credit file and apply their own systems to estimate how likely you are to repay.
Credit scores from credit reference agencies can give you a general idea of where you stand based on your credit file, but lenders will use their own criteria and risk appetite when making decisions. Decisions can vary between lenders.
Lenders look at the information in your credit report when deciding whether to lend to you. This same information is also used to work out your credit score.
Use credit occasionally and manage it responsibly to help build your credit history.
If you are under 21, new to the UK, or have never used credit or no longer need it, you may be considered credit invisible or have a thin file. This can make it harder to get approved for some credit products.
You can start building your credit report by:
Pay on time and, where possible, pay more than the minimum to reduce your debt. Keeping your credit usage below around 25% of your available limit can also help show lenders that you’re managing credit comfortably.
Each credit application leaves a hard search on your credit report. Too many hard searches within a short period can negatively affect your credit profile.
If you’ve been a victim of fraud, someone may use your details to apply for credit, which can create hard searches. To help protect yourself from fraudulent applications, you can register with Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System (CIFAS).
There isn’t a single universal credit score because each credit reference agency (CRA) uses its own scoring range and rating bands.
In most cases, the ratings you get from different CRAs won’t vary too much. If your score falls in the good range or above, this is a sign that you are managing your credit well.
Below is an overview of how the three largest CRAs in the UK group their scores.
TransUnion credit scores range from 0 to 710. Scores between 604 and 627 are classed as good, and scores above 627 are classed as excellent.
Your credit score and report in the NatWest app and Online Banking use data from TransUnion.
Experian scores range from 0 to 1,250. Scores between 861 and 1,120 are seen as good or very good, and scores above 1,120 are seen as excellent.
Equifax scores range from 0 to 1,000. Scores between 531 and 810 are considered good or very good, and scores above 810 are considered excellent.
A strong score may improve your chances of being accepted and help you get better interest rates.
Check your score regularly to understand where you stand and feel more prepared before you apply.
A drop doesn't always mean there's a problem. Some changes, such as a new credit application, may only affect your score for a short time.
Others, like missed payments or a court record, can stay on your report for longer and may have a greater impact. See what affects your score and how to improve it.
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