CRIF Highmark is one of India’s leading credit bureaus that provides data on individual borrowers and businesses related to credit score and credit history. Established in 2007, Highmark obtained its license from RBI in 2010 to operate as a credit bureau. Later on, in 2014, CRIF bought a majority stake in Highmark, leading to the change in the name of CRIF Highmark. Currently, it is located in Mumbai.
It provides services to the corporate sector, to the microfinance portfolio, and to the retail, agricultural and rural sectors.CRIF Highmark also provides customer, commercial, and microfinance applicants with a credit score and credit report. Its members are various banks that NBFCs and provide data on each customer related to their credit operation.
CRIF HIGH MARK CREDIT SCORE MEANING
The CRIF high-mark credit score ranges from 300 to 900 in the case of individuals. The credit score represents an individual’s creditworthiness along with an idea of how likely he/she will be able to default on the loan in the next 12 months. The closest the individual score is to 900, the lower the chances of default and the higher the creditworthiness suggested.
WHAT IS THE CRIF HIGH MARK CREDIT SCORE RANGE?
Like other credit bureaus in India, CRIF Highmark has a credit score ranging from 300 to 900. It is possible to further divide this collection into four separate sets:
- 300-600 (Poor): The credit score in this range shows that the individual is highly likely to default on his loan and has a poor record of repaying the loan with a bad credit history. Loans to people with credit ratings in this range are not issued by lenders.
- 600-680 (Fair): Within this range, the credit score suggests that the individual has a record of some late payments and minor defaults. For banks and financial institutions, a client with a track record of delinquent payments is also a risky venture. Thus, on certain occasions, on such a credit score, no credit would be advanced. However, the interest rate will be high in situations where credit is advanced, and other terms and conditions of flexibility in repayment will be tighter.
- 680-750 (Good): Banks and financial institutions consider a credit score of 750 to be ideal. In this range, clients with credit scores indicate that they have a history of making timely payments with a good combination of secured and unsecured credit. Lenders regard as good clients individuals with credit scores in this range. However, people in this range may still have had more than their credit limit with a few late payments or a brief duration of unpaid borrowing.
- 750-900 (Excellent): People with credit scores in this range are considered to be highly stable and less risky. Such people have shown the exemplary practice of credit repayment and have never defaulted on any loan payments. They know how to carefully manage credit, and that’s why lenders are still able to lend enticing deals to these people as well.
HOW CAN WE CHECK CRIF HIGH MARK CREDIT SCORE?
There are other credit bureaus in India other than CRIF High Mark, as well as Equifax, CIBIL, etc. As per RBI guidelines, these credit bureaus need to provide individuals with free credit reports at least once a year. Therefore, you can visit the official CRIF Highmark website and apply for the credit report if you want to know your credit score or read your credit report.
You will get the credit score along with a detailed credit report in your email after entering the necessary details. The process of applying for a credit report is easy and clear. You may also apply to receive the printed version by post, along with getting the report in the mail, and the report will be sent to the address specified in your proof of address form.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT A CRIF HIGH MARK SCORE
The credit score is of considerable significance to lenders when it comes to reviewing new credit or loan applications. It is important to know about an individual’s creditworthiness and the level of risk involved before lending. The following considerations are therefore taken into account when determining a CRIF Highmark rating to provide the best picture:
- Credit History’s Length: A long history of credit ensures banks and financial institutions that you have accurate knowledge about your ability to manage credit. Therefore, it is an important consideration to take into account when determining the high mark score for the CRIF.
- Hard Enquiries: The one where a lender enquires about your credit history is a hard inquiry. And when you apply for new credit or loan does the lender do so. There is not much effect on one or a few hard inquiries spread over some time. However, if in a short period of time there are so many of them, then it reveals that you’re credit-hungry. Several challenging surveys have a negative effect on your score.
- Negative Issues: Stuff such as payment default,’ Written off’,’ Resolved’ status on past accounts, a negative label represents foreclosure. These derogatory marks appear in-depth in your credit report. A high number of such marks means bad credit management and has a negative effect on the ranking.
- Timely Payments: One of the most critical considerations is making timely payments to get a good ranking. If you have a record of making your monthly debt payments on time, it has a good effect on your score and also gives you the trust of lenders that you are highly likely to make timely loan payments that you plan to use.
- Credit Mix: It means that a person uses a portion of different types of credit over a period of time. The credit mix does not hold much value for short credit history, but it is important to have a mix of different credit types for long credit history. If a person has just one or two credit history for a long period of time, then it represents improper financial management, and it also has a bad effect on your score.
