TransUnion is replacing its existing 0-710 credit score scale with a new 0-999 system from late September, alongside new bands running from 'Very Low' to 'Excellent'. The credit reference agency has stressed the change does not alter the information held on people's credit reports and will not itself affect whether someone is accepted for a mortgage, loan, credit card or other borrowing.
Rollout from late September to June 2027
The new system will be introduced gradually across websites and apps that use TransUnion data between late September 2026 and June 2027. This means some people could temporarily see two different TransUnion credit scores depending on which service they use and whether it has moved to the new system.
TransUnion said this should not be a cause for concern and will not influence lenders' decisions.
New score bands explained
Under the current system, an 'Excellent' TransUnion score ranges from 628 to 710. Under the new scale, an 'Excellent' score will be between 786 and 999. The other new bands are: Good: 653-785, Fair: 563-652, Low: 488-562, and Very Low: 0-487.
Currently, the equivalent categories are 'Good' for scores between 604 and 627, 'Fair' from 566 to 603, 'Poor' from 551 to 565 and 'Very Poor' from zero to 550.
Why is TransUnion changing credit scores?
TransUnion said the new score is designed to provide people with a more detailed picture of their credit health and will take greater account of how they manage borrowing over time. The new model will use what is known as 'trended data', including how account balances have changed and how credit cards have been used over time, rather than relying solely on a snapshot of someone's finances.
TransUnion said the approach should also better reflect the circumstances of people with little or no credit history, including those who are new to borrowing. The score will be accompanied by more than 300 personalised tips, insights and educational messages designed to help people understand the factors affecting their credit profile and what they may be able to do to improve it.
James Robinson, Managing Director of Consumer Interactive for TransUnion in the UK, said there is still “significant confusion” about credit scores, including a belief among some consumers the score they see is the same score lenders use. He said: “Our new score is designed to minimise this confusion by using a broader range of behaviours over time, rather than a single snapshot. That fuller picture can help people better understand the positive financial behaviours influencing their score, engage more confidently with their credit health, and access the guidance they need to improve it.”
Will the new credit score affect applications?
TransUnion stressed the number consumers see is not itself what determines whether a lender approves an application. The underlying credit information provided to organisations will remain unchanged as a result of the new scoring system.
Banks and other lenders use information contained in someone's credit report alongside their own criteria when deciding whether to offer credit and on what terms. This means someone seeing a different TransUnion score after the change - or two different scores during the transition - does not mean their credit history has suddenly improved or deteriorated.
The phased rollout is due to begin in late September and continue until June 2027, as TransUnion's credit-monitoring partners adopt the new scoring model.
