What information does my credit report contain?
The typical consumer credit report contains:

Identifying information (your name, current and previous addresses, telephone number, reported variations of your social security number, date of birth, current and previous employers)

Credit Information - specific information about each account in your name such as the date opened, credit limit or loan amount, balance, monthly payment and payment pattern during the past several years. The report also states whether anyone else besides you (such as a cosigner) is responsible for paying the account

Public Record Information-bankruptcy records, state and county court records of tax liens and monetary judgements; and, in some states, back due child support

Inquiries - The names of those who have obtained information about your credit history

How are credit granting decisions made?
Potential creditors review credit credit applications to determine if your profile meets their lending criteria. Lenders try to predict whether you will repay your debts on time by evaluating your character, capacity, and collateral/capital.

Character: These factors include length of residency and employement as measures of your personal stability. Lenders look at your financial character by reviewing your existing credit relationships: credit cards, bank loans, mortgages and other loans and lines of credit.

Capacity: Your living expenses, available lines of credit, current debts and other payments give lenders a sense of how much debt you can realistically pay given your income. Lenders factor in existing obligations and any payments the new debt would require.

Collateral/Capital: The lender the loan is secured by a down payment or asset. The amount or value of the down payment or asset helps a potential lender determine the appropriate terms of the credit or loan that is extended.