Credit is your ability to borrow money or access financial products with the understanding that you’ll repay what you owe.

A credit score is a numerical representation of your credit history that helps lenders evaluate your creditworthiness.

A credit report is a record of your credit accounts, payment history, balances, inquiries, and other credit-related information.

Your credit profile can influence your ability to qualify for loans, credit cards, housing, and other financing, as well as the terms you may receive.

Credit bureaus are companies that collect and maintain information about your credit history and provide credit reports to lenders and other authorized businesses. The three major U.S. credit bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.