Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Report on the Use of Remittance Histories in Credit Scoring Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Credit scoring uses statistical modeling to predict whether a consumer will default on his or her debts. The quantitative estimates that these methods produce, called "credit scores," allow lenders to rank order consumers in terms of the credit risk they pose and are used pervasively in all aspects of consumer lending. As a result, having a good credit score is important for credit access. Moreover, since credit scores, or other scores generated from credit report information such as insurance scores, can be used for underwriting other financial services products, including checking accounts and property and casualty insurance, a good credit score and credit report may provide benefits beyond credit access. While there are many different types of scoring models, those based on credit history information, such as the FICO and VantageScore, are the most widely used. These models generally rely on the credit histories compiled by nationwide credit reporting agencies (NCRAs). These records detail the credit accounts each consumer has held (called "tradelines"), collection agency accounts, monetary-related public records (e.g., tax liens, bankruptcy filings), and records of inquiries made by lenders in connection with a consumer-initiated credit application.