The information is a credit report is gathered, maintained and distributed by three US credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. The three bureaus collect financial data about consumer habits and summarize the information in credit reports. The information gathered by the bureaus is collected from financial institutions that provide the data. The financial institutions provide the information willingly as is helps them analyze consumers' financial habits and make well-informed decisions about credit applicants, loan requests, and additional financial requests.

In many cases, consumers receive a Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) score when applying for various financial transactions.

Aside from financial transactions, credit reports are also used in employment screening process, tenant screening process, bank registrations, etc.