CRIF Credit Score: What it is and How to Check

CRIF score is a key indicator of your credit health and influences your chances of obtaining loans and credit cards. Knowing how it is calculated and what affects it helps you maintain a strong financial profile.

CRIF stands for Centre for Research in International Finance. It was founded in 1988 in Bologna, Italy, as the Centrale Rischi Finanziari, later evolving into a global fintech and analytics firm. It specialises in credit bureau reporting, business information systems, and decision-support solutions.

 

In 2007, High Mark Credit Information Services was established in India to provide comprehensive credit reporting. It received its RBI licence in 2010 and began bureau operations in March 2011. In mid-2014, CRIF acquired a majority stake under RBI regulations, leading to the rebranding as CRIF High Mark.

 

CRIF High Mark is now a prominent credit bureau in India, covering all borrower segments, including retail, MSME, agriculture, commercial, and microfinance. It serves over 4,000 financial institutions with a database of hundreds of millions of credit records.

The CRIF High Mark credit score is a three-digit figure assigned to an individual or an entity by CRIF High Mark. This score indicates your loan repayment ability and is one of the first things lenders check when reviewing your loan application. 

• CRIF High Mark Credit Score Ranges

Your CRIF High Mark credit score ranges from 300 to 900. A score of 900 is the highest and reflects strong creditworthiness, whereas 300 is the lowest. The range in which your credit score falls determines your eligibility for a new loan or credit card. 

Lenders assess your creditworthiness by categorising your CRIF High Mark credit score in the following way:

A CRIF High Mark credit report is a detailed record of your past credit behaviour. A lender considers all this information and then decides whether you need to be granted more credit. It includes:

• Your personal details such as full name, date of birth, PAN, etc.

• The number of active credit accounts

• Your repayment history

• Outstanding amounts you owe to lenders

• Recent credit enquiries made about you

CRIF High Mark calculates your credit score based on various aspects of your credit history and financial behaviour. It considers specific factors and assigns weight to each while determining your score. These include: 

 

1. Credit Mix: The ratio of your unsecured loans to secured loans across all active credit accounts

2. Credit History: The record of your past loans and credit cards, including the length of your credit accounts

3. New Credit: Details of recently opened loans and credit cards that impact your credit profile

4. Payment History: A record showing your repayment history, including any missed or delayed payments

5. Amount Owed: The total outstanding debts you currently have across different credit accounts

6. Credit Utilisation Ratio: The percentage of your available credit limit that you are actively using at a given time

You can check your CRIF High Mark credit report and score by following the steps outlined below:

• Fill in Your Personal Details

Visit the official portal of CRIF High Mark and enter details, such as your full name, mobile number, date of birth, address, and gender. You will also need to submit one identification detail, such as your PAN, Voter ID, passport number, or driving license number.

• OTP Authentication

After filling in your details, click on ‘Get My Credit Score’. You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number for identity verification. Submit this OTP to proceed.

• Check Your Score

If it is your first free credit report check of the year, you will be redirected to view your report. Otherwise, you may need to pay a nominal fee. Once completed, your credit score and report will be displayed on the screen.

Here are some important points to know about the CRIF High Mark free credit report:

• It helps determine the creditworthiness of loan applicants

• The score ranges from 300 to 900

• A CRIF credit report can be generated free of cost once a year, and additional reports may cost around ₹399 each

• CRIF High Mark offers personal credit scores for individuals and business credit scores for entities

• Key factors that determine the CRIF High Mark credit score include credit utilisation ratio, credit applications, credit mix, and payment history

A good CRIF High Mark credit score offers several benefits:

• Access to pre-approved offers from lenders

• Favourable interest rates on loans and credit cards

• Easier approval for personal loans, home loans, and car loans

• Possibility of negotiating repayment terms with lenders

A CRIF score serves as a key indicator of your creditworthiness and financial discipline. It plays a crucial role in the decision-making process of lenders when assessing loan or credit card applications.

• Enables lenders to evaluate your repayment capability

• Influences the interest rates and terms offered to you

• Strengthens your eligibility for loans and credit cards

• Contributes to long-term financial stability

A good CRIF High Mark credit score reflects your creditworthiness and financial discipline, helping you secure better financial opportunities.

• Higher Loan Approval Chances

A strong credit score increases your chances of obtaining loan approvals quickly. For example, banks approve home or car loans without lengthy verifications.

• Better Credit Card Eligibility

With a good score, you can access premium credit cards with higher limits. This helps you manage expenses effectively and build your credit history further.

• Lower Interest Rates

Lenders offer lower interest rates on loans to individuals with higher credit scores. This reduces the overall repayment burden on personal loans or mortgages.

• Access to Financial Products

A high credit score enables you to secure products such as home loans, personal loans, or car loans more easily. It also allows you to negotiate better terms with lenders.

Understanding your CRIF personal credit report helps you track your financial health and prepare for future credit needs. It allows you to check for errors and monitor your repayment behaviour. This is how a CRIF credit report is structured to help you clearly understand your credit standing.

• Personal Details

This section lists your name, date of birth, contact information, and identification details. It enables lenders to verify your identity when reviewing your credit profile.

• Credit Score and Risk Grade

Displays your CRIF High Mark score, which ranges from 300 to 900, along with the associated risk category. A higher score combined with a low-risk grade reflects stronger creditworthiness.

• Personal Information Variations

Shows any changes in your demographic details, such as updated addresses or identification information. Each variation includes a reporting date for reference.

• Account Summary

Summarises the total number of your credit accounts, active and overdue accounts, and outstanding balances. It also presents your recent credit inquiries and new account openings. 

• Detailed Account Information 

Provides a breakdown of each credit account, including payment history and outstanding amounts. This section includes details such as account type, credit limits, tenure, and creditor name.

• Past Credit Inquiries

Lists all lender-initiated credit checks made in the last 24 months. The section includes the lender’s name, inquiry date, and the stated purpose of each credit check.

• Comments Section

Contains remarks added by lenders or the credit bureau regarding your credit behaviour. These notes influence how your profile is assessed for future credit.

• Appendix for Codes

Explains the abbreviations and codes used throughout your credit report for clarity. This section helps you interpret each part of the report accurately while reviewing your credit information.

Improving your CRIF High Mark credit score requires financial discipline and mindful credit use. These tips can strengthen your profile and help you secure loans on better terms:

• Pay EMIs and credit card bills on time to maintain a clean repayment history

• Maintain a credit utilisation ratio below 30%

• Avoid frequent loan or credit card applications within a short period

• Keep old credit accounts open to build a strong credit history

• Diversify your credit mix by using both secured and unsecured credit types

• Monitor your credit report regularly and dispute any inaccuracies without delay

• Repay outstanding dues as early as possible to reduce your debt burden

Spotting an error on your CRIF High Mark credit report requires prompt action to protect your credit health. You need to address inaccuracies online at no cost by submitting a request along with supporting documents to CRIF High Mark.

 

The bureau investigates every claim, and when the dispute is valid, the error is corrected. This process helps maintain an accurate credit record.

CRIF High Mark and CIBIL are credit bureaus that provide credit scores and reports to assess creditworthiness. They share similarities but differ in ownership, scoring emphasis, and operational focus.

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