Which Credit Bureau Do Lenders Check in Canada?

Canadian lenders may check either Equifax or TransUnion when you apply for credit.

Some lenders use one bureau more often, while others may check both. There is no single credit bureau that every Canadian lender uses.

KOHO Credit Builder

KOHO Credit Builder is designed to help Canadians establish or build their credit history through consistent monthly payments, without relying on a traditional credit card.

With KOHO Credit Builder, you can:

• +74 points average credit score increase seen using our credit building tools*

• Get approved without a hard credit check or minimum deposit

• Pay no interest on the line of credit

• Track your credit score and credit report directly in the KOHO app

• Build your credit history with monthly payments reported to the credit bureaus

What Credit Bureaus Are Used in Canada?

Canada has two major consumer credit bureaus:

• Equifax

• TransUnion

Both collect information about your credit accounts and payment history.

They use that information to create your credit report and calculate credit scores.

Do Lenders Check Equifax or TransUnion?

It depends on the lender.

A lender may:

• Check Equifax

• Check TransUnion

• Check both

• Use one bureau for certain products and another for others

This means two lenders can review different versions of your credit history.

Why Are My Equifax and TransUnion Scores Different?

Your scores do not have to match.

Differences can happen because:

• A lender reports to only one bureau

• Information reaches each bureau at different times

• The bureaus may use different scoring models

• One report may contain information the other does not

This is why it can be useful to review both credit reports.

Which Credit Bureau Do Mortgage Lenders Check?

Mortgage lenders may check Equifax, TransUnion or both.

The bureau used depends on the lender and its underwriting process.

Your mortgage application can also involve more than your credit score. Lenders may review your income, existing debt, down payment and overall ability to repay.

Which Credit Bureau Do Credit Card Companies Check?

Credit card issuers can also use either Equifax or TransUnion.

There is no guarantee that a particular issuer will always use the same bureau for every applicant.

If you are planning to apply for credit, it is better to make sure both of your credit reports are accurate rather than focusing on only one.

Should You Check Both Credit Reports?

Yes.

Reviewing both can help you spot:

• Accounts you do not recognize

• Incorrect balances

• Missed payments reported incorrectly

• Fraudulent activity

• Information appearing on only one report

If you find an error, dispute it with the bureau showing the incorrect information.

Does Checking Your Own Credit Hurt Your Score?

No.

Checking your own credit report or credit score is considered a soft inquiry and does not lower your credit score.

A hard inquiry usually happens when a lender checks your credit as part of a new application.

Which Credit Bureau Matters More in Canada?

Neither Equifax nor TransUnion is universally more important.

The bureau that matters for a specific application is the one the lender decides to check.

The best approach is to maintain healthy credit across both reports by making payments on time, keeping balances manageable and reviewing your credit information regularly.

*Based on users with a starting score of 450 or under and who used all of our credit building tools (i.e. Credit Building, Secured Credit Building) for 12+ months with on time payments. Credit building tools we offer are not a credit repair tool and does not guarantee an improvement in credit score. Credit scores are based on complex models involving a variety of factors. Consistent on-time payments help improve scores and missed or late payments may cause credit scores to decrease. Outcomes may vary among users.