CRIF Score vs CIBIL Score: What Are The Key Differences

There are 4 credit bureaus that operate in India, among which CIBIL Score & CRIF Score are the two major players. However, they differ in many aspects.

These bureaus are regulated and licensed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI), to check, collect, maintain, and monitor your credit history. The banks or NBFC only lend money after having a look at your three digit credit score which is determined by these credit bureaus. These names may sound similar, but differ from each other in various ways. 

What is CRIF Score? 

CRIF, the acronym stands for Center for Research in International Finance, was formerly named as High Mark Credit Information Services. However, it was later renamed as CRIF High Mark. It is an RBI licensed bureau that was founded in 2007, but officially started operating in India in 2011.

CRIF High Mark generates credit scores like personal credit scores and also the business credit scores, for individuals, companies, & businesses, respectively. 

This credit score provides its services in sectors like commercial and microfinance.

• CRIF lends money to segments like MSMEs (micro, small & medium) enterprises, retail consumers, commercial companies, and businesses. 
• CRIF high mark score ranges between the numbers 300-900.
• CRIF score maintains the record of credit activities like credit card use, its transactions, loans repayment track, etc. for companies, individuals, and businesses. This information in turn helps banks or lenders to think and consider before lending a loan to the concerned party. 
• CRIF uses innovative technology and algorithms that are especially designed to look into complex data information. 
• It offers credit information, data management, solutions, insights, etc. to financial institutions, that helps them in determining credit score efficiently and effectively. 

What is CIBIL Score? 

India’s first credit bureau. CIBIL stands for Credit Information Bureau India Limited, which is now known as TransUnion CIBIL.

It was established in 2000, however commenced its operations as a consumer credit bureau in 2004, and as a commercial service entity in 2006, and officially commenced its operations in 2007.

• This too operates as a credit score bureau that collects credit information, scores, credit reports, and provides them to banks or money lenders, to verify and look for the capacity of their applicants for repayment of loan. 
• CIBIL scores generally focus on the long time span of credit history.
• CIBIL score is among many of the details that are there in the Credit Information Report (CIR).
• This report reveals the eligibility of the applicants to the banks and lenders for approving their loan request. 

CRIF Score vs CIBIL Score

The credit scores vary from each other on different parameters. The score range may be similar between the two but the good score range differs, CRIF good score range is above 700, while CIBIL good score range is above 750. 

One of the major distinct differences between CRIF score vs CIBIL score is that CRIF has a global presence, while CIBIL only operates in India, since its establishment.

Both the credit score bureaus are licensed by RBI, but CIBIL is now operated and maintained by a private company called TransUnion, and is now named as TransUnion CIBIL.

Both have different credit score criteria that involve various aspects that help them determine the creditworthiness and credit scores of their applicants. 

While calculating CRIF score, they focus more on the recent credit activities, while on the other hand CIBIL score calculation focuses more on longer time span of credit activity. 

Factors Considering for Good CRIF Score

Here are some of the factors considered for a good CRIF score. 

• Payment History – Timely payment of bills, loans, credit cards are responsible for boosting the credit score. 
• Credit Utilization Ratio – This is the ratio that indicates the percentage of accessible credit for current use. Lower the ratio (below 30%) means that individuals are not wholly reliant on credit, eventually impacting their credit score. 

• Credit Types – A mix of credit can help in boosting the credit score. It can be credit cards, installments, mortgages, etc. 
• Records & Collections – Holding, liens, bankruptcies, and accounts in collection can cause severe damage to the credit scores. People should avoid these types of things in order to maintain a good CRIF credit score.

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Factors Considering for Good CIBIL Score

Here are some of the factors considered for a good CIBIL score.

• Payment History – The basic factor that every credit bureau looks for. Due payments, missing EMI payments, credit card payments, installation payments, can have a great effect on your CIBIL credit score. 
• Credit Mix – This factor looks after the variety of credits you have. It can be a mix of credit cards, secured or unsecured loans, loans, installations, credit history length, etc. These mixed credit can have a positive impact on your CIBIL credit score.

• Credit Exposure – This factor analyzes the chances of the borrower or applicant not being able to repay the due payments on time. It is the calculator of the maximum possible loss a bank or a lender has to face in case the borrower or applicant does not pay their dues on time. 

Summing Up: CRF Score Vs CIBIL Score

Both the scores have some similarities and differences and are owned and operated by different entities. A good credit score can be achieved by various factors like, paying bills and payments on time, card payments, etc.