How many major credit bureaus are in South Africa?

Who holds the key to everyone’s credit information?

Credit bureaus. Three big ones, to be exact.

In this post, we’re unpacking everything about South Africa’s credit bureaus—what they do, how they work, and why they matter.

 

How many credit bureaus are in South Africa?

South Africa has several credit bureaus registered with the National Credit Regulator (NCR), including three major active ones: TransUnion, Experian, and XDS. Earlier, Compuscan and ITC were also widely recognised credit bureaus that dominated the market as South Africa’s leading credit reporting services. While other smaller bureaus cater to niche financial sectors.

Going deeper, we’ll define what a credit bureau is. Then, we’ll take a closer look at SA’s big four.

 

 

What is a credit bureau?

A credit bureau is an organisation that collects and analyses consumer credit information to help lenders assess the creditworthiness of credit applicants. People who want accounts, loans, or other lines of credit. A credit bureau maintains records of loan payments, defaults, credit inquiries, credit utilisation, account history, and a lot more. Lenders use this data to determine how risky it is to lend someone money.

Basically, they record and track every South African’s credit history.

Now, let’s go over the four biggest bureaus in the country.

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Three major credit bureaus in South Africa

South Africa’s credit reporting industry is dominated by three key credit bureaus:

• TransUnion,
• Experian
• XDS

 

TransUnion

TransUnion is one of the most prominent credit bureaus in South Africa. It provides comprehensive credit reports and scores to consumers and lenders.

TransUnion also offers tools for individuals to monitor and improve their credit health, such as identity protection and regular credit alerts.

• Credit reporting app: TransUnion provides online credit report access but does not currently offer a consumer-facing app in South Africa.
• Market presence: TransUnion has been operating in South Africa for decades, partnering with leading financial institutions and retailers to facilitate responsible lending.
• Global reach: As a global leader in credit reporting, TransUnion operates in more than 30 countries, providing insights and solutions across diverse markets.

 

Experian

Experian is a global credit bureau with a very strong presence in South Africa. Providing detailed credit reports for both consumers and businesses.

Additionally, Experian offers services that include advanced analytics and credit insights to help lenders assess risk more effectively. Plus, consumers can access their credit scores and leverage educational resources to improve financial literacy.

• Credit reporting apps: Experian offers the “My Credit Check” app, which provides a free credit report, score insights, and tips for improving financial health. Additionally, the “Up by Experian” app helps users better understand their credit score with tailored recommendations for improvement.
• Market presence: Experian is well-integrated into South Africa’s financial ecosystem, serving both large-scale lenders and smaller institutions.
• Global reach: Operating in over 45 countries, Experian is one of the largest credit reporting agencies in the world, with significant influence on international credit standards.

 

XDS (Xpert Decision Systems)

XDS is another prominent credit bureau in South Africa. It serves both consumers and businesses. It provides credit scores, detailed credit profiles, and data-driven insights to help users and organisations make informed financial decisions.

• Credit reporting app: XDS offers the “Splendi” app, which provides consumers with their credit score, credit report, and tips for managing their financial health.
• Market presence: XDS plays a significant role in empowering South Africans with accessible credit data and promoting inclusion within the financial sector.
• Global reach: XDS is focused on the South African market.

 

 

Other important credit bureaus

Compuscan (now owned by Experian)

Compuscan, founded in 1994 in Stellenbosch, was a prominent credit bureau serving South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. Experian bought the company in 2019.

The organisation no longer operates independently. It is a part of Experian.

 

ITC (Information Trust Corporation and ITC Credit Bureau)

The original ITC (Information Trust Corporation): ITC was South Africa’s first major credit bureau. After TransUnion bought the company in 2002, it was rebranded as TransUnion ITC and later fully absorbed into the global TransUnion brand, leaving no independent operations.

The new ITC Credit Bureau: This ITC is unrelated to the original ITC and operates independently as one of six tier 1 credit bureaus in South Africa. It provides specialised credit reporting services but is a completely separate organisation from the original ITC.

 

Other credit bureaus

In addition to the major credit bureaus, South Africa has a number of smaller, specialised bureaus catering to specific sectors or offering niche services.

Want to know how to tell if a smaller credit bureau is legit?

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How to check whether a credit bureau is registered with the NCR

To verify a credit bureau’s legitimacy, visit the National Credit Regulator (NCR) database. The NCR maintains a public register of all licensed credit bureaus in South Africa.

Just visit the NCR’s website and search for the bureau’s name or registration number.

Alternatively, contact the NCR directly for confirmation.

Now that you know how to identify trusted credit bureaus, let’s wrap things up with some final thoughts.

 

Final thoughts

Credit bureaus empower consumers and lenders alike by maintaining accurate financial data.

• If you’re a consumer, try one of the credit reporting apps we recommend to check your score.
• If you’re a business owner, check out the NCR’s registry to see if you find a credit bureau that solves your problem, or try reaching out to one of the major bureaus.

 

Now, credit and debt go hand-in-hand. A good credit score requires healthy debt levels and on-time payments…

If you want to talk to someone about managing your debt, we can help. Try our online assessment at My Debt Hero to see if you qualify to reduce your debt.