FAQ: Why do you not report to the three main credit bureaus?

“Why do you not report to the three main credit bureaus? Why did you create the Giving Credit Report?”

We get these questions daily. The answer is quite simple: our goal is to ensure that reported peer loans expand access to low-cost credit and are not another data point for credit exclusion.

Peer-lending data does not fit the credit bureaus' mental models.

• Repayment cadences are often irregular, while credit bureaus assume consistent monthly payments.

• Short-term peer loans can harm credit scores even when repaid, which conflicts with the goal of helping people avoid payday loans.

• Credit bureaus are built for institutional trade lines, not the many social relationships that function as credit in peer networks.

• Loan forgiveness between friends or family is common in peer lending, but would be misclassified as a negative outcome by credit bureaus.

The Giving Credit Report is the only consumer credit report (FCRA-compliant) that compiles and verifies community and peer loans, capturing creditworthiness built through trusted social networks, not just traditional financial systems.