When you apply for a credit card, the card issuer may check your credit score from Experian, Equifax, or Transunion – or all three. Companies don’t typically disclose which credit bureau they use when checking consumers’ information and there is no guarantee that they will choose a particular one. However, some banks have been known to use one credit bureau more than the others. The state that you reside in might also have an impact on which credit bureau your company will use.
Following are a few examples of credit card companies that use Experian more than other bureaus in general.
American Express:
American Express is known to use Experian the most compared to other credit card companies. It almost always uses Experian exclusively, almost 90% of the time, for a hard inquiry when assessing a credit card application.
Bank of America:
Bank of America also usually uses Experian for about 80% of the time to pull credit reports. For specific cards, they may use TransUnion. In case the applicant has frozen their Experian report, they will most probably use TransUnion.
Chase:
While Chase generally uses Experian slightly more than the other bureaus, the choice of credit bureau may change according to the state you reside in. Some states might prefer TransUnion or Equifax over Experian and some might pull data from at least two bureaus for each application.
Citi:
Citi commonly uses Experian or Equifax to pull credit reports. For some applications, they may use both for a credit pull. Very rarely do they use TransUnion.
Wells Fargo:
Wells Fargo uses Experian around 40% of the time followed by TransUnion and Equifax. The bureau it uses to pull credit reports from also depends mostly on the applicant’s state of residence.
FAQs
What Is a Fair Credit Score?
| FICO® Score Ranges and Ratings | |
|---|
| Credit Score | Rating |
|---|
| 670-739 | Good |
| 740-799 | Very Good |
| 800-850 | Exceptional |
2 more rowsMar 15, 2023
Experian's advantage over FICO is that the information it provides is far more detailed and thorough than a simple number. A pair of borrowers could both have 700 FICO Scores but vastly different credit histories.
Is 750 a good credit score on Experian? ›
A 750 credit score is Very Good, but it can be even better.
What banks just use Experian? ›
Capital One is notorious for pulling credit from all three bureaus, while American Express and Chase largely rely on Experian for most of their credit decisions.
Is Experian usually higher than TransUnion? ›
The specific reason your Experian score is higher than your TransUnion score will depend on individual factors. Firstly, credit bureaus calculate credit scores differently, meaning they use different credit factor weightings to determine your score.
How to get 900 credit score? ›
8 ways to achieve a perfect credit score
- Maintain a consistent payment history. ...
- Monitor your credit score regularly. ...
- Keep old accounts open and use them sporadically. ...
- Report your on-time rent and utility payments. ...
- Increase your credit limit when possible. ...
- Avoid maxing out your credit cards. ...
- Balance your credit utilization.
Simply put, there is no “more accurate” score when it comes down to receiving your score from the major credit bureaus.
Which FICO score is most reliable? ›
The primary credit scoring models are FICO® and VantageScore®, and both are equally accurate.
How long does it take to go from 750 to 850 credit score? ›
A score of 850 can only be achieved with 10+ years of credit, excellent on-time payment history, low credit utilization, and no recent hard inquiries, which is a tall ask.
How rare is a 750 credit score? ›
Roughly 48% of Americans had a score of 750 or above as of April 2023, according to credit scoring company FICO.
A 750 credit score generally falls into the "very good" range, which shows lenders that you're a very dependable borrower. People with credit scores within this range tend to qualify for loans and secure the best mortgage rates.
What other agencies are with Experian? ›
The big three—Experian, TransUnion and Equifax—collect and organize data to create consumer credit reports. The bureaus don't make lending decisions or determine your credit scores.
What credit companies are like Experian? ›
There are three big nationwide providers of consumer reports: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. Their reports contain information about your payment history, how much credit you have and use, and other inquiries and information.
Who uses Experian credit check? ›
Your Experian Credit Report will be accessed with your consent when you apply for credit. Credit providers such as banks, building societies, credit unions, finance companies, access seekers, mortgage insurers and other businesses that offer to lend you money can access your credit report.
Does Chase use FICO or Experian? ›
Which credit bureau the bank uses the most often depends on which state you live in. Based on anecdotal information, Chase generally uses credit data from Experian. However, Chase may opt to review your Equifax or TransUnion credit reports instead depending on which state you live in.
