Credit Bureau

A credit bureau — also called a credit information company (CIC) in India — is a specialised financial institution that collects, compiles, maintains, and provides credit information about individuals and businesses, including their borrowing history, repayment track record, outstanding loan balances, credit enquiries, and defaults. In India, four credit bureaus are licensed by RBI under the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005: CIBIL (TransUnion CIBIL), Experian, Equifax, and CRIF High Mark. Each bureau generates a credit score (typically ranging from 300 to 900) and a detailed credit report that lenders use to assess a borrower's creditworthiness before sanctioning loans. A credit score above 750 is generally considered excellent in India and qualifies borrowers for the best interest rates and loan terms. For investors on Ventura Securities who use leverage — including margin trading facilities or loan against securities — maintaining a strong credit score is important for accessing credit at competitive rates, making credit bureau awareness a practical financial literacy priority alongside investment management.