Credit Score Check: Bahrain's Quick Guide

In Bahrain, the Bahrain Credit Reference Bureau (operated by The BENEFIT Company) is responsible for aggregating comprehensive credit information. The Bureau produces credit reports for individuals and corporates, which contain data related to financial obligations, credit history, and personal details. These reports are important for various official transactions, such as applying for loans or business deals. While individuals can request their credit report from the Bureau, it is also possible to obtain it online through the National Portal, Bahrain.bh. This process involves logging in with an eKey (Standard level) and providing personal details, after which the credit report will be sent to the user's email.

How to get your credit report in Bahrain

Your credit report is required for several types of official transactions in Bahrain, such as getting a bank loan, buying a car, or applying for a housing loan. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get your credit report in Bahrain:

Understand the role of the Bahrain Credit Reference Bureau (BCRB)

The Bahrain Credit Reference Bureau (BCRB), also known as The Benefit Company BSC, is licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain. It acts as the central data warehouse between banks, financial institutions, and credit providers in the country. The BCRB aggregates, stores, analyses, and classifies credit information to produce credit reports for individuals and corporates.

Know your entitlements

As per the BCRB, you are entitled to receive one free credit report per year. You can request this report directly from the BCRB or online. Additional credit reports can also be requested for a fee. You are also entitled to request corrections on any inaccurate information in your report and dispute any credit information within 14 days of receiving your report.

Visit the National Portal, Bahrain.bh

You can obtain your credit report online by visiting the National Portal, Bahrain.bh. This service is provided by the BCRB in collaboration with the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) and the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB).

Log in with your eKey (Standard level)

To access the credit report service on Bahrain.bh, you will need to log in using your eKey, which ensures the security and confidentiality of your documents. If you don't have a Standard eKey, you can register for one on the National Portal.

Choose 'Generate Credit Report' and provide personal details

Once logged in, select the 'Generate Credit Report' option. You will then be prompted to enter your personal details, including your mobile number and email address.

Receive and unlock your credit report

After submitting your request, you will receive an email with the credit report and a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to your mobile number. Use the OTP as a password to unlock and download your credit report.

It is important to note that your credit report contains sensitive information about your credit history and financial obligations. Therefore, it is recommended to review your report regularly for any inaccuracies and take steps to improve your credit score if needed.

How often can you get a free credit report in Bahrain?

In Bahrain, you are entitled to one free credit report per year from the Bahrain Credit Reference Bureau (BCRB). The BCRB operates under The Benefit Company BSC and is licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain. The credit report can be requested online through the website www.bahrain.bh or www.benefit.bh. To access the report, you will need a standard eKey account for Bahrain government services and a CPR that is registered to your account. The report can be generated instantly and will include information about your credit history for the past five years, as well as important personal details.

It is important to note that the free credit report from the BCRB is different from the credit reports offered by private credit bureaus such as Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. These private credit bureaus may offer free weekly or annual credit reports, but they are not specific to Bahrain and may require additional steps for verification and authentication.

What is the process to dispute inaccuracies on your credit report in Bahrain?

The Bahrain Credit Reference Bureau (BCRB) acts as the central data warehouse for credit information in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain and aggregates credit information from all banks, financial institutions, and credit providers in the country.

The BCRB provides the following rights regarding your credit report:

• You are entitled to receive your credit report for free once every 12 months.
• You can request additional credit reports directly or online from the BCRB for a small fee.
• You have the right to raise a dispute against your credit information within 14 days of receiving it.
• You can submit complaints/disputes directly to the BCRB by phone, email, or in person.

• Review your credit report: Obtain a copy of your credit report from the BCRB and review it thoroughly. Identify any inaccurate or outdated information that you want to dispute.
• Gather supporting documents: Collect documents that support your claim of inaccurate information. This may include name change documentation, marriage or death certificates, letters from creditors showing corrections, police reports, or other relevant records.
• Submit your dispute: Contact the BCRB by phone, email, or in person within the 14-day timeframe. Provide detailed information about the inaccuracies you have identified and include any supporting documents.
• Wait for a response: The BCRB will inform the providing business and share your dispute details with them. They have five business days to do this. You should then receive the results of their investigation within 30-45 days.
• Review the outcome: After the investigation, the BCRB will provide you with written details of the dispute outcome. If any changes are made to your credit report, you will receive an updated copy. If you are unsatisfied with the outcome, you can reach out to the company that provided the information to verify their records for any errors.

What is the benefit of checking your credit score in Bahrain?

Checking your credit score in Bahrain is beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, it allows you to assess your credit position and financial obligations. This includes understanding your credit history for the past five years, your current balances, payment history, and any debt you may have. By checking your credit score, you can also avoid any downticks in your credit score and protect yourself from financial health risks.

Additionally, businesses in Bahrain often check your credit history when evaluating applications for credit, insurance, employment, and leases. Lenders use your credit score to determine your creditworthiness, so having a good credit score can improve your chances of securing loans or favourable loan conditions.

You can request your credit report from the Bahrain Credit Reference Bureau, either online or in person. You are entitled to receive one free credit report per year and can dispute any inaccuracies within 14 days of receiving the report.

It's important to monitor your credit score regularly to ensure you're in good financial standing and to make informed financial decisions. Checking your credit score can also help you identify any discrepancies or errors in your credit history, which you can then correct.

Furthermore, by regularly checking your credit score, you can take control of your financial health and work towards improving your score if needed. This can include making timely debt payments, building a history of responsible credit use, and maintaining a good repayment history.

How to get a credit report if you don't have a credit card or loan in Bahrain?

If you don't have a credit card or loan in Bahrain, you can still get a credit report by following these steps:

Firstly, it's important to note that your credit report is a crucial document for various official transactions, such as applying for a bank loan, buying a car, or even entering into business deals. Obtaining your credit report used to require an in-person visit, but the process has now become much more accessible and efficient.

To get your credit report without a credit card or loan, you can utilise the National Portal of Bahrain. This method is made possible through the collaboration of the Bahrain Credit Reference Bureau, the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), and the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB). Here are the steps to follow:

• Visit the National Portal, Bahrain.bh.
• Log in using your eKey (Standard level). If you don't have an eKey, you can register for one on the National Portal.
• Choose the 'Generate Credit Report' option.
• Enter your personal details, including your mobile number and email address.
• An email will be sent to you containing your credit report.
• Additionally, an OTP (one-time password) will be sent to your mobile number. This OTP will serve as the password to unlock and access your credit report.
• Once unlocked, you can download and save your credit report for future reference.

By using the eKey system, your transaction remains entirely secure, ensuring the confidentiality of your documents. This process also significantly reduces the time, costs, and effort required to obtain your credit report, making it a convenient option for individuals without a credit card or loan in Bahrain.

Frequently asked questions