Kredietscores

Kredietscores are numerical indicators used by lenders to assess the creditworthiness of individuals. They summarize past borrowing behavior and the likelihood of repaying debts, and are used to decide whether to approve loan applications, what terms to offer, and how high a credit limit should be. Scores are produced from data held by credit bureaus or lenders and can vary by country and scoring model.

Data typically feeding a kredietscore include payment history, current balances, available credit, length of credit history, number of recent credit inquiries, and the mix of different types of credit. In the Netherlands and other European markets, information may be reported to local credit bureaus such as BKR or other agencies, which may provide scores based on proprietary or standardized models. International models like FICO Score or VantageScore are also used by some lenders, often with local adaptations.

The impact of a kredietscore depends on the score level and the lender’s policies. A higher score generally improves the odds of loan approval and can lead to lower interest rates and more favorable terms, while a lower score may result in higher costs or denial. Inquiries from applications can affect the score; hard inquiries typically have an effect, whereas soft inquiries do not.

Regulation and consumer rights apply to kredietscores. Data protection laws in the EU govern how credit information is collected, stored, and used. Consumers usually have the right to access their data, request corrections, and challenge inaccuracies. Scores are probabilistic estimates and may not capture all factors influencing repayment, particularly for new or nontraditional borrowers.