Who Does Affirm Pull Credit From?

Affirm provides a “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) service, offering consumers installment loans for online and in-store purchases. This payment method serves as an alternative financing option for various goods and services.

Affirm’s Credit Inquiry Types

Affirm’s financing process involves different types of credit inquiries. A soft credit inquiry, or soft pull, is conducted during pre-qualification or an initial eligibility check. This inquiry does not impact your credit score and verifies identity to provide financing options.

A hard credit inquiry, or hard pull, can affect your credit score. A hard inquiry may occur when you accept a loan offer or finalize financing for certain Affirm plans. While their “Pay in 4” installment plan involves only a soft pull, a “Pay Monthly” plan can trigger a hard inquiry.

Credit Bureaus Affirm Accesses

Affirm assesses creditworthiness using data from major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. As of April 1, 2025, Affirm reports all payment plans and repayment activity to Experian. Starting May 1, 2025, this information is also reported to TransUnion.

The specific bureau or bureaus used can vary based on factors such as the loan amount, the merchant involved, the applicant’s location, and Affirm’s internal algorithms. This reporting of all payment activities, including “Pay in 4” plans, integrates BNPL payment history into broader creditworthiness assessments.

Key Data Points for Affirm Approval

Affirm’s approval process considers factors beyond a credit score or credit report. The evaluation includes an applicant’s financial history, credit score, credit utilization, existing debt obligations, and recent bankruptcies.

Affirm also assesses an applicant’s payment history, including overdue or deferred payments and loan delinquency. The length of time an applicant has had an Affirm account and the number of current outstanding payment plans are considered. Income verification may be part of the process. The size of the loan request can influence approval, with smaller amounts potentially having better chances.

Understanding Your Credit Report

You are entitled to a free credit report every 12 months from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. These reports can be obtained through AnnualCreditReport.com, the only authorized source.

A credit report includes identifying information, a history of your credit accounts, various types of inquiries, bill payment history, loans, current debt, and public records like bankruptcies. Regularly reviewing your credit report allows you to check for accuracy and identify any potential errors, such as incorrect personal information or accounts you do not recognize. If inaccuracies are found, you have the right to dispute them with the credit reporting company or the company that provided the information.