Credit Score

What is Credit Score? 

A credit score in UAE is a three-digit number ranging from 300 to 900, generally used to demonstrate the creditworthiness of a potential borrower. The process to calculate credit scores is based on a variety of financial information that is aggregated through the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB) in the UAE.
The basic understanding is that someone with a higher credit score has portrayed caution with finances in the past, hence he/she is entitled to more benefits and financial opportunities in the market. Professionals, businessmen, or individuals with higher credit scores can thus easily obtain credit from the required institutions at desired

Credit Bureau – What is It?

A credit bureau is an organisation that keeps a track of borrowers’ credit histories, to generate credit reports and scores. A credit bureau collects credit information from different sources and then sells them to financial institutions like banks. The financial institutions use this information to generate the credit scores of individuals which represent their creditworthiness. Loans are disbursed as per the creditworthiness of the individual. Credit bureaus also generate credit scores independently for both individuals and companies as an entity.

How do Credit Bureaus Work?

As mentioned earlier, a credit bureau’s primary function is the collection, retention, and professional disclosure of credit-related information about companies as well as individuals. At a practical level, in case a person decides to apply for any form of loan from a premier banking institution. There is a certain decision that needs to be taken, usually, there are specific criteria mentioned in the loan policy’s terms and conditions. To ensure that these criteria are being met, and there is no obfuscation on the part of the applicant, the bank shall check for the credit history of the individual. This is where the credit bureau shall be consulted. The profile of the applicant shall be forwarded to the credit bureau, which is responsible for conducting the necessary credit check. The credit bureau maintains a record of classified data of credit information about the consumers. The information is based on its own aggregated data along with any information available in the public domain. However, the final decision of whether to lend or not lies with the bank. 

What is AECB?

Al Etihad Credit Bureau AECB is a committed financial institution that collects credit data from individuals, banks and financial institutions. It is a Public Joint Stock Company, owned and operated by the Federal Government of  UAE. It is in charge of collecting financial and credit information from all organisations in UAE and using it to prepare credit reports and credit scores. People and companies can obtain their credit scores from the AECB with a small fee.

Who Regulates Al Etihad Credit Bureau?

The legal provision that shall be applicable for the regulation of the credit information collection, as well as dissemination activities of the Al Etihad Credit Bureau, is Federal Law no. 6 of 2010. In addition, a legislation that has recently been issued namely the Cabinet Resolution no. 16 of 2014, shall be responsible for governing the operational aspects of the AECB.

How Much Does It Cost to Obtain a AECB Credit Report?

Getting your credit score and credit report from the AECB comes with a small fee. A fee of AED 84 plus VAT to generate your score or report from AECB for individuals. A fee of AED 157.5 plus VAT is applicable to generate credit scores/reports for companies. This fee is applicable every time you generate your credit score from AECB. However, you can get your credit report and credit score for free from Policybazaar UAE when applying for a credit card and/or credit score for personal loan as an individual.

How to Get Free AECB Credit Score UAE?

If you need to quickly check your credit score, you may visit this link. Enter your basic details and get your credit score for free on policybazaar.ae in UAE.

Alternatively, you can visit AECB official website at AECB.gov.ae. The credit report can be downloaded for a payment mentioned on AECB website.

How Much Does A Report Cost?

Category	Credit Score & Credit Report	Online Price (AED - Inclusive of VAT 5%)	Walk-In Price (AED - Inclusive of VAT 5%)
INDIVIDUALS	Credit Report and Score	84	105
	Credit Score	10.5	21
ESTABLISHMENTS	Credit Report and Score	84	105
	Credit Score	10.5	21
COMPANIES	Credit Report and Score	157.5	189
	Credit Score	10.5	21

You can also install the AECB App that is available on the Google Play store. First time or existing users have the option to choose the recipients with who they wish to share the report.

Who Calculates Credit Score in UAE?

In the United Arab Emirates, the Al Etihad Credit Bureau, a public joint-stock company wholly owned by UAE Federal Government, is considered responsible for the computation of credit scores. AECB has been mandated by UAE Federal Law no. (6) of 2010 to calculate credit scores, and publish credit reports accordingly.

What is AECB Credit Score Used For?

As explained before, credit scores are a direct reflection of an individual’s creditworthiness. This makes your credit score of utmost importance for lenders like banks and other institutions that either lend money or do business on a foundation of trust. Credit scores can be used in the following ways by different entities:

• By banks when choosing whether to provide loans or credit cards to an individual or a company.
• When deciding the loan amount or credit card limits.
• By insurance companies when approving insurance plan applications. A good credit score would represent that the candidate takes their financial responsibility seriously.
• By home rental agencies and other similar organisations.
• When attempting to get unsecured loans.
• By telecom service providers when selling postpaid connections.

How to Calculate Credit Score in UAE?

Your credit score in UAE is calculated based on an aggregation of the following factors:

• Payment History - The payment history on the credit card is undoubtedly the most important parameter to determine the credit score of an individual. It is an objective record of all the payments that you have made timely or missed, and up to how recently payments have been made or missed. Obviously, the credit score improves with a greater proportion of on-time payments. In case there is a significant delay in the payments extending to over 30 days, it is liable to be reported by the lender and it shall adversely impact the credit score.
• Length of Credit History - A good score is reflective of a history of making timely payments. Models that construct your credit score look at the average age of your credit when factoring in credit history.
• Types of Accounts - Having a mix of accounts, whether they be retail or credit cards, would help improve your credit score.
• Recent Credit Activity - If the person has opened multiple accounts in recent times or submitted applications to open accounts, they could potentially come under the scanner. This can be perceived to be a sign of financial trouble, thus may lower credit score.
• Debt Accumulation - The second most important parameter is the amount that has been accumulated by way of loans on the credit card. This shall be based on the entire amount that is owed, and the proportion of money owed to the amount of credit that lies available in the card account.

Why are Credit Reports Important for Borrowers?

In UAE, credit reports issued by the authorities are used by applicants to understand the level of debt at which they are currently, and in order to have a clear understanding of the steps as well as the amount needed to break even on their accounts.

How to Check Credit Report in UAE?

In order to get your credit report in UAE, you can visit the Al Etihad Credit Bureau Customer Service Centres. The application has to be supplemented with the required documents that include the original Emirates ID card, credit report consent form, notarized Authorization letter attested by the relevant authority.

What does Credit Score Range Indicate?

A credit score is a reliable parameter based on which the lender assesses the borrower. The ratings for the credit range in UAE can be described as follows:

What are the Benefits of a Good Credit Score?

Does having a good credit score make life easier for you? The answer is a resounding yes. The benefits of maintaining a good credit score far outweigh the cost of neglecting the same. Mentioned below are some of the lifestyle advantages that will accrue to you if you maintain a good credit score with due diligence:

The Low-Interest Rate on Credit Cards and Loans:

If you are a businessman who has to constantly handle substantial flows of money from one point to another, small differences in interest rate could make a significant difference to the amount that you owe to creditors. A good credit score will entitle you to lower interest rates, and this is strategically desirable from a business point of view.                

Ease in Renting Apartments:

A “fair credit range” comes in handy when searching for apartments for renting in a new city, since it shows reliability on the part of the prospective tenant. For instance, as per reports in 2019, the Dubai Real Estate Centre has decided to use the credit reports furnished by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau to evaluate the financial standing of the tenants. FAB Properties, which is part of the First Abu Dhabi Bank group, and is the real estate management arm of the same, has also been using the AECB’s data to assess tenants. 

Reduced Car Insurance Premiums:

Car owners with good credit scores have a better chance of receiving good offers on their car insurance premiums. Conversely, obtaining affordable car insurance with a poor credit score might turn out to be a challenge in some cases.

Employment opportunities:

Employers might inquire about the credit score of the job seeker among other things. A poor credit score might reflect a lack of financial discipline on the personal front, as well as a lack of seriousness when it comes to financial matters. A low credit score might reveal that the job seeker is in debt, and is struggling financially, which could affect their performance at work.

5 Tips to Build a Powerful Credit Score

Factors That Can Affect Your Credit Score Negatively

A credit score might be adversely affected by the following behaviours:

• Late Payments: Even if one payment is delayed for more than 30 days, the credit score might suffer. The non-payment window is used to notify credit reporting bureaus of the delay, and this can adversely affect a credit score.
• Applying for more credit several times:Each time that you ask for credit, a hard credit inquiry shall be made on the account. Every hard inquiry shall affect the credit score, even when the approval is not granted.
• Cancelling your zero balance credit cards: In case a cardholder decides to do away with a credit card, it might adversely affect their credit score. Cancelling a credit card reduces the total credit amount, which in turn increases the credit utilization ratio. It also shortens the credit history period.
•  Transferring the balances to a single card: It makes sense to carry just one credit card around, protecting against risks of theft, and general maintenance of multiple cards. However, it may not be advisable to transfer your credit balances consolidated into one card. The upward balance that will be created on the card will cause the credit utilization to shoot up drastically, which will hurt the credit score.
• Giving authorization to relatives with unreliable credit scores:It is your choice if you wish to co-sign your account with a friend or a family member in need. Co-signing means you are responsible for their debt, and in case they default on payments from this account as well, you are bound to suffer a depreciation in your own credit score. 

6 Ways Credit Cards Affect your Credit Score

Who is Authorised to Offer Credit Information in UAE?

AECB

The Al Etihad Credit Bureau, located on Sheikh Zayed Road, in Dubai is the principal agency entrusted with the aggregation as well as dissemination of credit information in the United Arab Emirates.         

What is the Difference Between a Credit Score, Credit Rating, and a Credit Report?

Key Terms Included in a Credit Report

Some of the key terms to be mindful of when reading your credit report are:

• Annual Percentage Rate or APR: It is the yearly cost that is incurred on the amount that is being financed, including the interest and the fees that are chargeable on it, expressed in terms of a percentage rate.
• Consumer Credit: The debt that is incurred by a user to purchase a good or service for personal or family purposes. This shall include any purchases that are made on credit cards, and other lines of credit.
• Credit Scoring Model: This is be based on an objective mathematical formula, used to gauge the consumer’s creditworthiness from his or her credit report. The algorithm that is specifically being used by the AECB takes into consideration several attributes such as outstanding balances, number of loans and so on.
• Debt management: Any strategy that comes in useful for managing the debts that have been accumulated on the credit card, whether they are based on offers available from the company itself, or behavioural habits adopted by the user.
• Revolving Account: An account that establishes a maximum credit limit for a consumer. The balance shall be carried over from one month to the next and is liable to incur interest. Payment amounts shall be based on the outstanding balance amount.

What You Should be Looking for in a Credit Report?

• Credit Summary: You need to study your credit score which has a star rating this shows whether it is a good score or bad.
• Correct Address: The residential address does not make a difference to the credit score, nevertheless, it should be carefully verified by the cardholder, lest the report is later delivered to an incorrect address.
• Employer Information: While this information has no direct bearing on the credit score, this detail could be checked by prospective lenders in order to decide whether the loan applicant is worthy of the same or not.

How to Check Credit Score in UAE for Free ?

To check your credit score in UAE, you can visit AECB’s official website and pay the required amount for the type of report you want. However, Policybazaar.ae in collaboration with AECB gives you a chance to check your credit score for free. All you need to do is just enter a few basic details on our credit score UAE page to get your score for absolutely free. 

How to Monitor Your Credit Report and Score?

Credit monitoring refers to the routine checking of your credit history, in order to keep an eye out for any suspicious activities or discrepancies. You can do this either by checking your credit report online or requesting routine mobile alerts regarding the same.

How to Improve Credit Score in UAE?

Following are some of the steps that you may take to improve your credit score in UAE:

• Request a higher credit limit: This should have a near-immediate impact since the credit utilization ratio is an important factor in determining your credit score.
• Timely payment of bills: Of course, apart from all the strategic measures that you can take, it is always advisable to take care of the basics first. Taking care of the dues on your utility bills and so on that are outstanding on your credit card, and ensuring that there are no delays is after all the most important criteria to be fulfilled.
• Remove collection accounts from the card: In case the credit card is being used to make payments to a collection account, the cardholder may take the call to get rid of it. They may be too old or may be inaccurate, and it may not make sense to keep them as a drain on the existing credit card account.
• Become an authorised user: In case a relative whom you trust has a good credit history by having a flawless record of on-time payments, you may request their permission to become an authorised user. This means that that specific account, which enjoys a good credit evaluation, will be added to your credit account, and its credit limit can be used for your utilization.

How to Improve Your Credit Score in 2022

How Can You Access Your Credit Score through the Policybazaar UAE portal?

As per developments in 2021, Policybazaar UAE has entered into an official partnership with Al Etihad Credit Bureau to facilitate real-time checks for your credit scores, based on the AECB credit score. Customers of Policybazaar UAE can apply for credit cards based on their AECB score, which shall be pulled automatically from the system. Policybazaar.ae bears the responsibility of managing the costs of accessing the score. So, it’s absolutely free for you.

How to Get a High Bank Credit Score in UAE & Dubai?

Financial institutions and experts explain that there is no pre-mixed formula to better your credit score in UAE and reach a higher number. However, there are a few things that you can try and improve to shoot up the Etihad credit bureau score:

• Payment Record: Keep your payment history spotless by never missing one. Always make your phone bill payments, credit card payments and EMI payments on time to maintain a high AECB credit score. 
• Credit Utilisation Ratio: Aim to maintain a lower credit utilisation ratio. Use your credit card up to the recommended limit only and always pay it back on time. 
• Get the Errors Rectified: Since it is a collection of several small components, a few errors can sneak into your credit history. If you find any such errors which are affecting your AECB credit score negatively, get them corrected by contacting the AECB support centre. Your concern will be raised with and resolved by the concerned information provider. 
• Diversify Your Credit Line: If you have already taken an unsecured loan and planning to take another one, try and opt for a secured loan this time. As explained above, diverse credit accounts can improve your AECB credit score as well. 
• Go for Long-Term Loans: Long term loans will elongate your credit line and improve your Etihad credit bureau score. Instead of changing your credit cards frequently, hold onto one for a long time. 

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How to Dispute Information on your Credit Report?

While the credit report is an essential financial indication that is professionally managed by the AECB, there is always the possibility that there might be some wrong quotations of facts and figures. The credit card holder should know that they are fully within their rights to dispute any perceived inaccuracies on their credit report since it is their professional reputation that is at stake. You may contact the AECB Contact Centre at 800-287-328. Alternatively, you may visit one of the two AECB customer experience centres in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

For raising a dispute, the cardholder needs to duly submit a valid copy of their original Emirates ID, and fill out the concerned ‘dispute form’. The customer shall also be required to submit a copy of the latest credit report. It may be noted that this implies that the complaint, or the dispute, will be entertained only regarding the latest reports. The allotted time for redressal of grievances thus raised is usually considered to be twenty working days. For the process of the resolution of disputes, the AECB works with the relevant lending institutions. Once the matter has been resolved, or some diagnosis of the contradiction has been reached, AECB representatives shall contact the customer and provide the solutions.

How to Generate Credit Score If I Don't Have Any Credit History?

Top 5 Credit Score Myths That You Should Be Aware Of

Discussed below are some of the myths that are commonly believed about credit scores:

1. Credit Score is Dependent Upon the Annual Income: The credit score is not a measure of the value that a person commands in the market. It should be reiterated that it seeks to place a premium upon the reliability of the person when he comes to seek a loan for professional purposes. A person can have a minimum income and yet hold a respectable credit score. This may be because they have consistently repaid all their loans, utility bills, and have not allowed any blemished transactions on their account. Conversely, it may chance that a person with a substantial income has an unacceptable history when it comes to repaying loans or honouring other financial commitments. Such a person could easily have a low credit score, albeit the fact that they might have an impressive annual income.
2. Marriage Might Improve or Dilute Your Credit Score: The credit score is tabulated based on records of individual financial behaviour. There is no concept of merging scores on the arrangement of marriage. In case your spouse enjoys a credible credit score, and you are not matching up on that front, you are not entitled to any allowances or relaxations by that count. 
3. Balance on Your Debit Card is Connected to Your Credit Score: The concept of a debit card is that it is a device to access the funds that are lying in your savings account. Since there is no concept of debt involved, the transactions made using such cards are not liable to affect your credit score.
4. Application for a New Credit Card Affects the Existing Credit Score: This is generally not a problem, although there are certain exceptions. The problem happens in case the individual makes applications at every lender institution. This demonstrates self-evident desperation on part of the businessman/individual, and it is bound to create doubts in the minds of the credit investigators. However, in case a new card is sought only from the same bank, or perhaps an alternate at maximum, this issue is not bound to arise.
5. Unemployment: It is a great myth that unemployment is a direct cause of bad credit scores. Of course, it can be a secondary reason for the cardholder missing payments due to lack of availability of funds. However, in itself, being unemployed is not a sufficient condition for a bad credit score: if the person is able to manage their liabilities out of their savings, their credit score might very well stay at a respectable level without employment.

What Information do Credit Bureaus not Consider?

The credit score is primarily a record of your relationship with finances: more specifically the way you are able to manage your debt. Of course, the credit bureau, in creating a record of your portfolio is bound to ask for certain personal as well as transactional details. Following is a list of factors not considered for the evaluation of the credit score.

• Savings and investments: Records of your investments are not directly relevant. However, in case of loans have been availed to finance your investments in say cars or homes, these would be included in the credit report.
• Personal Information: Details such as marital status, criminal records in the past, or the level of education attained by the person are not considered in the credit score.
• Medical information: Credit bureaus are not permitted to disclose information pertaining to mental, physical or medical health. Although, medical payment data might be displayed on the credit report.

What to Do if You Don't Have a Credit Score?

Having no credit score in UAE means that you do not have a specific number tied down to your credit profile. The reasons for this could simply be that you have not used your credit options in quite some time, or that the new line of credit that you have recently acquired has not been officially registered yet.

You should not assume that this situation automatically means that you have bad credit. Of course, without a score it is difficult to get credit, but not impossible to get a credit score. In case you don’t have a credit score, it is important to use the other forms of credit or loans to demonstrate your ability to make loan payments on time. Finally, there is the option of going for a secured card. You need to submit a security deposit to get the account initiated, and the amount deposited in your account shall be officially treated as the credit limit. With responsible usage of the credit limit, you should be able to get your deposit back after a certain period.

What Does It Mean If Your Credit Score Has Changed?

Were you taken aback by surprise to realize that your credit scores have changed since the last time you checked them? You must diagnose the reason, in order to take the necessary steps to bring your score back up to the mark if it experienced a slump. The following are some of the common reasons for getting a bad credit score:

• Derogatory Marks on Your Credit Report: This would ensue in that in case you fail to honour some outstanding loan. A bank official or a credit issuer might have placed a derogatory mark due to late payment, bankruptcy, a lawsuit being filed and so on. This should be taken most seriously since the derogatory mark shall remain on your account for no less than seven to ten years.
• Reduced Credit Limit: Lowered credit limit means a higher credit utilization ratio. In such a case, the cardholder needs to take a look at the amount of credit they are utilizing in a month. If the credit limit has been brought down by the issuing authority, they may consider reducing their credit spending to maintain their credit scores.
• Closure of a Credit Card: When a person takes the call to close a credit card, the available credit amount is reduced. Consequently, if the cardholder does not reduce the monthly spending, the credit utilization ratio is bound to substantially shoot up, just as in the earlier pointer. The second problem would be that closure would affect the average length of the card’s credit history.
• The Cardholder has Applied for Multiple Lines of Credit: While it is understandable that a businessman might require more than one source of credit at the same time, this may not necessarily reflect well on their financial credibility. Questions are bound to arise for the reason of this sudden requirement of funds, and perception may be formed that the applicant is at risk of default for the lenders.
• Identity Theft: The final reason might be a serious cause for concern: the case may be that someone has stolen your account and made applications for credit accounts in your name. Of course, a drop in credit scores does not automatically imply this is the case, and it is only one of the possibilities and a serious one. If that’s the case, you must immediately get in touch with your credit card provider and get the matter addressed at the earliest.

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FAQ's on Credit Score