3 Major Credit Bureaus -

While their functions are similar, each bureau is an independent entity: What is a Credit Bureau and What Do They Do? - Equifax

The Three Major Credit Bureaus: A Comprehensive Overview The "Big Three" nationwide credit reporting agencies—, Experian , and TransUnion —are private companies that collect and manage credit-related data for over 200 million American consumers. They act as data clearinghouses, gathering information from creditors to create reports used by lenders to assess financial risk. Core Functions and Roles 3 major credit bureaus

: They receive and compile billions of data points monthly from lenders, including credit card issuers, banks, and mortgage companies. While their functions are similar, each bureau is

: Each bureau uses this data to generate credit scores—most commonly FICO or VantageScore—to help lenders make billions of annual credit decisions. Key Differences Between Bureaus Core Functions and Roles : They receive and

: Typical reports include personal identification, payment history, credit limits, current balances, and public records like bankruptcies or judgments.