> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.myfundingmachine.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Credit Reports

> View and interpret client credit reports and scores in Funding Machine, and understand how they affect funding approvals and declines.

# Credit Reports

Credit reports are the foundation of every funding decision. This page shows all reports pulled for your clients and helps you understand what drives approvals and declines.

## Viewing Reports

Each report shows:

* **Client Name** — Who the report belongs to
* **Credit Score** — Scores from TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian (when available)
* **Pull Date** — When the report was pulled
* **Report Status** — Success, Failed, or Pending

Click any report to view the full credit details including:

* Score breakdown by bureau
* Trade lines and account history
* Public records
* Inquiries
* Key factors affecting the score

## Reading Your Credit Report

Before submitting a client, understanding these key factors helps you pre-qualify and set expectations:

### Credit Utilization

The percentage of available credit being used. **Under 30% is ideal.** Clients with utilization above 50% may qualify for less funding or face higher rates. If your client has maxed-out cards, suggest they pay down balances before you submit.

### Derogatories

Late payments, collections, charge-offs, or bankruptcies on the report. **Even one recent derogatory (within the last 12 months) can significantly limit funding options.** Older derogatories (3+ years) have less impact.

### Inquiry Count

How many hard credit inquiries appear in the last 6-12 months. **More than 6 recent inquiries is a red flag for lenders.** If your client has been rate-shopping recently, it may be worth waiting before submitting.

### Trade Line History

The number and age of credit accounts. **Lenders prefer clients with at least 3 trade lines open for 2+ years.** Thin files (few or no trade lines) often get declined or qualify for minimal funding.

<Tip>Pre-screen your clients by asking about their credit card balances, any late payments in the past year, and whether they've applied for credit recently. This takes 2 minutes and saves days of processing time for clients who aren't ready.</Tip>

## How Reports Are Used

Credit reports drive the funding plan:

1. **Score determines funding path** — Higher scores qualify for more products (card stacking, term loans, SBA)
2. **Trade lines show capacity** — Existing credit limits and utilization affect how much new funding is realistic
3. **Derogatories flag risks** — Late payments, collections, or bankruptcies may limit options or require credit repair first

## Score Brackets

| Score Range | Typical Funding Path                           | What to Expect                             |
| ----------- | ---------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| 740+        | Premium card stacking, best term loan rates    | Fastest approvals, highest funding amounts |
| 680-739     | Standard card stacking, competitive term loans | Strong approval rates with good funding    |
| 620-679     | Limited card options, alternative lending      | Smaller amounts, fewer product options     |
| Below 620   | Credit repair recommended first                | Submitting now usually leads to declines   |

<Warning>Submitting clients below 620 without discussing with your account manager first often results in wasted time for everyone. Consider recommending credit repair and resubmitting in 3-6 months.</Warning>

<Note>These are general guidelines. The processing team evaluates each case individually based on the full credit profile, not just the score. A 670 with clean history and low utilization may outperform a 720 with recent derogatories.</Note>

## Reports on Dashboard

Your dashboard includes several credit-related visualizations:

* **Credit Reports Chart** — Track your pull volume over time to monitor pipeline activity
* **Score Distribution** — See if you're submitting high-quality leads or need to adjust your sourcing strategy
* **Decisions Donut** — Compare your approval and decline rates to spot trends

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I pull a credit report before submitting a client?">
    Credit reports are pulled as part of the submission process. If you want to pre-screen, ask your client about their approximate score, recent inquiries, and any negative marks. Many clients know their score from free monitoring services.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why does the report show different scores from each bureau?">
    Each bureau maintains its own data, and not all creditors report to all three. Differences of 20-40 points between bureaus are normal. The processing team considers all three scores when building a funding plan.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="A credit pull failed. What happened?">
    Failed pulls are almost always caused by incorrect SSN or Date of Birth. Check the client's detail page, correct the information, and the processing team will re-pull automatically.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How long is a credit report valid?">
    Credit reports are valid for 30 days. If processing takes longer, a new report may be pulled. This is standard practice and doesn't count against the client as a new inquiry.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related Pages

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Submit a Client" icon="user-plus" href="/operators/getting-started/submit-client">
    Submit a new client for credit analysis and funding
  </Card>

  <Card title="Checking Status" icon="clock" href="/operators/funding/checking-status">
    Track your client's progress through the pipeline
  </Card>

  <Card title="Your Dashboard" icon="chart-pie" href="/operators/getting-started/dashboard">
    View credit score distribution and approval trends
  </Card>

  <Card title="Applicants" icon="users" href="/operators/funding/applicants">
    See all your submitted clients and their scores
  </Card>
</CardGroup>