
A bank account can be a source of confusion when it comes to credit reports. In fact, the information on your bank account can sometimes appear on your credit report. This can happen when you have an overdraft or a loan from the bank.
Typically, a bank account will not show up on your credit report unless you have taken out a loan or credit line from the bank. The bank will then report this information to the credit bureaus, which can affect your credit score.
What's on Your Credit Report
Your credit report is made up of several key sections, but let's focus on what's actually on it. Your accounts and payment history are the heart of your credit report, listing all accounts that haven't been defaulted on or gone to collections.
Each account has a summary at the top, including the creditor's name and address, account number, and date opened. You'll also see the status of the account, such as whether it's open or closed, and whether you're current on payments. The type of account, whether you're an individual owner, joint owner, or authorized user, and credit limit or original amount of the installment loan are also included.
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Here are the key details to look for on your account summaries:
- Name and address of the creditor, account number, and date opened
- Status of the account (open, closed, or transferred) and payment status (current or late)
- Type of account (credit card, student loan, etc.)
- Account ownership (individual, joint, or authorized user)
- Credit limit or original amount of the installment loan
If you notice any errors or accounts that don't belong to you, report them immediately to prevent identity theft.
Does a Bank Account Show Up
Your bank account can show up on your credit report if you abandon an account that's overdrawn or has unpaid fees, and your bank or credit union turns the amount you owe over to a collection agency.
Collection agencies typically report their accounts to credit bureaus, which can affect your credit scores for seven years from the original late payment.
A small amount you owe your financial institution may not trigger a collection agency, but it can still lead to a negative entry on ChexSystems, a database that banks and credit unions use to check on customers' account history.
If your name comes up on a ChexSystems report, you'll have to clear up your account before you can open a new account with a bank or credit union.
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Types of Accounts Included
Your credit report is made up of various types of accounts, and it's essential to understand what's included.
Credit accounts, such as credit cards and personal loans, are typically listed on your credit report.
You'll also find installment accounts, which are loans with a fixed number of payments, like a mortgage or car loan.
Public records, like bankruptcies and foreclosures, can also appear on your credit report.
Collections accounts, which show debts sent to a collections agency, are another type of account included on your report.
Inquiries, which show when lenders or creditors have checked your credit report, are also listed.
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Checking Accounts
Your checking account is a separate entity from your credit report, and normal day-to-day use of it won't appear on your credit report. This means making deposits, writing checks, or transferring money to other accounts won't affect your credit score.
An overdraft might seem like it should hurt your credit score, but it won't as long as you take care of it quickly. If you ignore the issue and it goes to collections, it can negatively affect your credit score.
Consequences of Unpaid Bank Fees
Unpaid bank fees can lead to negative credit report entries, affecting your credit scores for up to seven years from the original late payment.
A collection agency may report your unpaid fees to credit bureaus, which can result in a collection account on your credit report.
If the amount you owe is too small for a collection agency to pursue, your bank or credit union may still report delinquent accounts to ChexSystems.
ChexSystems is an information clearinghouse that banks and credit unions consult before opening new accounts, so a negative report can make it harder to open a new account.
Having a negative report on ChexSystems can be cleared up, but it requires resolving the outstanding issue with your bank or credit union.
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Types of Bank Accounts
Your credit report lists all your accounts that haven't been defaulted on or gone to collections, including credit cards, student loans, and more.
Each type of account has its own summary, which includes the name and address of the creditor, account number, and date opened. This information is crucial in understanding your credit report.
A credit card account will show your credit limit and original amount, while a student loan account will show the original amount borrowed. This information is essential in determining your credit utilization ratio.
You'll also see whether you're an individual owner, joint owner, or authorized user of the account. This is important to know in case someone has used your information to open fraudulent accounts in your name.
Here are some common types of bank accounts you might see on your credit report:
If an account has been closed, your report will note who closed it and when. This is important to know in case there's been an error or discrepancy.
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Sources
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/are-bank-accounts-affect-credit-report/
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-not-included-in-your-credit-report/
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/040715/how-does-your-checking-account-affect-your-credit-score.asp
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/read-credit-report
- https://www.fdic.gov/consumer-resource-center/credit-reports
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