An important component of your financial profile is your CRIF High Mark score. It affects your ability to get loans and credit cards and displays how creditworthy you are. You can be more confident in your ability to make sound financial decisions by comprehending the components that go into your score and discovering practical ways to improve it. Let’s dig in and learn all there is to know about the CRIF High Mark score and how to raise it for a more promising financial future.
What is CRIF and Its Full Form?
The CRIF full form is Centre for Research in International Finance, and it is one of the four well-known credit bureaus in India. It started operations in 2007 and in 2014, CRIF bought major stakes in High Mark Credit Information Services Private Limited, ever since then it is known as CRIF High Mark.
Just like other credit bureaus, CRIF High Mark provides individuals and businesses with credit scores, which are expressed as a three-digit number ranging from 300 to 900. The higher the score, the better. These scores are determined by considering various factors such as how well a person or a business has repaid bills, used credit, managed loans, and more. In essence, the credit score reflects a person’s creditworthiness, indicating how likely they are to repay a debt on time.
Major Pointers to be Noted About CRIF High Mark Credit Score
Several important factors are considered when calculating a CRIF High Mark credit score. These factors play a significant role in determining the overall creditworthiness of an individual. These are the factors to be considered:
- Payment History
- Length of Credit History
- Credit Utilisation Ratio
- A Healthy Credit Mix
- Comparison of Good and Bad CRIF High Mark Credit Score
Regarding the CRIF score, 300 is the lowest and suggests that a person may be a risky borrower. On the other hand, a score of 900 is the highest and indicates a history of responsible borrowing. A score above 700 is considered good, in general. This is the overall idea of the CRIF score meaning.
CRIF Score | Range | Meaning |
300-549 | Low | If you have a poor credit history and a record of missed repayments, it means you are at a high risk of not being able to make credit payments on time. This can make lenders hesitant to approve loans or credit for you. |
550-649 | Medium | If you have experienced delays or defaults in making payments in the past, it can result in a lower credit score. This lower score indicates to lenders that you may still be a risk when it comes to borrowing money. |
650-749 | High | This score reflects your responsible financial behaviour. A credit score above 700 is generally considered good because it indicates that you have a low risk of defaulting on your debts. |
750-900 | Excellent | If you have consistently shown excellent credit repayment behaviour in the past, it means you are highly reliable when it comes to managing your debts. Lenders see you as a low-risk borrower, and as a result, they will be more willing to offer you credit. |
How to Improve a Bad CRIF High Mark Score?
Now that we have talked about the significance of having a good CRIF High Mark credit score, let us see how to improve CRIF score if it is currently low. Note that improving your credit score takes time, and you will need to be patient for the changes to reflect on your credit report.
Here are some steps to enhance your CRIF High Mark credit score
Timely Repayment of Debts
Pay all your debts on time and in full to improve your CRIF High Mark score. Late payments can have a significant negative impact on your score, so make it a priority to avoid any delays in repayment. If you tend to forget due dates, consider setting up automatic debit payments, so the money is deducted from your account on time. This ensures that you will not miss any payments and helps maintain a good credit score.
Maintain a Low Credit Utilisation Ratio
The credit utilisation ratio means the amount of credit you have used against the amount you are lent. Try and keep it below 40%. If you exceed this limit, it can cause your score to decrease. Moreover, lenders may perceive it as a sign that you rely too heavily on credit to cover your expenses and may have difficulty managing your finances.
Have a Diverse Credit Mix
Having a diverse credit mix can have a positive effect on your CRIF High Mark credit score. It means having different types of loans in your credit history. However, it is essential to be cautious when taking out different types of loans. Only consider it if you are confident that you can handle the repayment responsibilities on time. Otherwise, it can have a negative impact on your credit score and financial situation.
Avoiding Over-applying for Credit
It is essential to avoid applying for multiple credit cards or loans within a short period. Doing so can give the impression that you are overly eager for credit. Additionally, each time you apply for a new loan or credit card, your CRIF High Mark credit profile is reviewed, which can cause your credit score to decrease.
How to Check Your CRIF Credit Score Online?
According to an RBI directive, you have the right to receive one free credit report per year from each of the four credit bureaus. To obtain your CRIF High Mark credit report, follow these steps:
- Go to the official website of CRIF High Mark.
- Activate the “Get your Score Now” button by clicking on it.
- Enter your email address.
- Provide the necessary details such as your name, date of birth, mobile number, address, Aadhaar Card, or PAN details.
- Submit the application.
Conclusion
Your CRIF High Mark score is important as it reflects how trustworthy you are when it comes to borrowing money. By understanding it and the factors that affect your credit score, you should be able to improve it and avail of better credit opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.How often should you check your credit score?
It is always recommended to check your credit report at least once a year. However, if you are planning to make a significant purchase soon or actively taking measures to improve your credit score, you may check it more frequently.
2.What is a normal CRIF score?
The CRIF credit score typically falls between 300 and 900. A score of 300 is the lowest, which means it reflects a poor credit score. On the other hand, a score of 900 is the highest possible, indicating an excellent credit score. A score above 700 is considered a good score and usually acceptable in most organisations.
3.What is a high mark score on the CRIF?
900 is the highest possible CRIF score you can attain in the 300 to 900 range, which reflects a strong credit profile and increases the likelihood of securing credit at favourable terms.
4.Will you have a credit score if you have never had a credit card or loan before?
If you have never used a credit card or had a loan, you will not have a credit score as there is no credit history about you. As such, the credit bureau cannot produce any available details for the lenders to refer to. In such cases, the bureau labels it as “NH”, which means “No History”.