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Customers with a 'fair' credit profile normally have some of the following characteristics:

• May have changed employer a few times in recent years or be self employed for a few years or less.
• May have changed address a few times in recent years or the provider may have difficulty seeing accurate address history on the electoral role.
• Frequently apply for credit.
• May carry a fairly high level of debt.
• May be in the younger age group and / or living with parents.
• May have missed some payments and been late with payment in recent years for credit or utilities such as Gas; Electricity etc.
• No CCJ's or, possibly, may have one old CCJ for small amount.

Note 1: each provider has it's own policies which are strictly confidential and not shared with staff from moneysupermarket.com. These characteristics are compiled from ongoing research and dialogue with providers and represents our 'best judgement'. It is intended as 'helpful guidance' rather than a precise definition. Industry parlance for this category is 'Near Prime'.

Note 2: Share of market figures are estimates based on feedback from loan providers. Loan rates quoted are the typical rates quoted by the lender.

Customers with a 'needs improvement' or 'poor' credit profile normally have some of the following characteristics:

• Will have missed payments and been late with payments in recent years.
• May have had CCJ's. Any but the oldest CCJ's make inclusion in this category almost certain.
• May have changed address or job frequently;
• if details cannot be found on electoral register.
• Presently employed or self employed but may have had recent periods of unemployment.
• Will have a bank account.
• Tenants will often be in this category.

Note 1: Each provider has it's own policies which are strictly confidential and not shared with staff from moneysupermarket.com. These characteristics are compiled from ongoing research and dialogue with providers and represents our 'best judgement'. It is intended as 'helpful guidance' rather than a precise definition. Industry parlance for this category is 'Sub Prime'.

Note 2: There is a further category which we would call a ‘poor’ credit profile which, in the industry, is describes as ‘non conforming’. This market segment includes the unemployed; individuals with a poor credit profile may find it particularly difficult to borrow money.

Note 3: Share of market figures are estimates based on feedback from loan providers. Loan rates quoted are the typical rates quoted by the lender.