There's more to credit than just your credit score.

Your affordability score can help you understand your financial position more clearly when you apply for credit. It gives you a different perspective by looking at your income and spending alongside your credit score, so you get a fuller picture of how lenders may view you.

Your affordability score and report work by analysing your income and everyday spending from your linked bank accounts, not just your credit history. While your credit score focuses on your past and current credit behaviour, such as repayment history and outstanding balances, your affordability score focuses on your recent income and day-to-day spending patterns. Together, they give you a more rounded view of your finances.

Affordability score vs credit score: key differences

Your credit score and affordability score both play a role in how lenders assess you, but they measure very different things. Understanding the distinction can help you take the right steps to strengthen your overall profile when applying for credit. Here's a side-by-side comparison of affordability credit scoring versus traditional credit scoring.

In short, your credit score reflects your borrowing track record, while your affordability score reflects whether your current finances support taking on new credit. Used together, they give lenders - and you - a much fuller picture of your financial standing.

How do you find out your affordability score?

ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender, and isn't a credit reference agency, but it provides your credit score and report for free using data from Equifax. ClearScore works out your affordability score using data from your linked bank account, combined with other information in your ClearScore account. The process is designed to be safe and secure, using industry-standard protections, and you can unlink your account at any time.

ClearScore works with a panel of selected participating lenders rather than across the whole market, so any credit offers you see are limited to those participating lenders rather than every lender available.

Once you're set up, you'll:

• Get an indication of where you might stand with lenders before you apply for credit, though final decisions depend on individual lender assessments.

• See personalised tips and insights that may help improve your chances of being approved for credit.

• Get a range of offers from participating lenders that may be suited to your financial profile, though eligibility will depend on each lender's own criteria.

How to check your affordability score step by step

Knowing how to check your affordability is straightforward with ClearScore. The entire process takes just a few minutes and gives you a clearer picture of how lenders may assess your finances beyond your credit score alone. Here's exactly what to do.

Step 1: Sign up or log in to ClearScore

If you don't already have a ClearScore account, you can sign up for free. If you're an existing user, simply log in to your account via the app or website. Your affordability score sits alongside your existing credit score and report, so there's no separate platform to navigate.

Step 2: Link your bank account via open banking

Once you're logged in, you'll be prompted to link your bank account. This uses secure open banking technology, so ClearScore never sees your passwords or login credentials. Simply select your bank from the list, authorise the connection through your bank's own app or website, and the link is established. The connection is read-only, meaning nothing in your bank account can be changed.

Step 3: Wait for your affordability score to be calculated

After linking your account, ClearScore analyses your recent income and spending patterns to generate your affordability score. This usually takes just a short time. The score is calculated by looking at your transaction data - including regular income, outgoings, bills, and discretionary spending - to build a picture of your current financial health.

Step 4: Review your affordability report and personalised insights

Once your score is ready, you can explore your full affordability report. This includes a breakdown of your income and spending, personalised tips on areas where you could improve, and offers that may be suited to your financial profile. Use these insights to understand where you stand before applying for credit.

What if my bank isn't supported?

ClearScore supports a wide range of UK banks and building societies through open banking. If your bank isn't listed, you may need to wait until support is added. In the meantime, you can still benefit from your credit score and report. It's worth checking back periodically, as ClearScore regularly expands its list of supported providers.

Is linking my accounts safe and secure, and what data do you look at?

Linking your account uses secure open banking technology, is FCA-regulated, and follows industry security standards. You can unlink at any time. When you link your account, ClearScore will be able to see the following and, if you choose, share selected information with specific banks or lenders you apply to:

• Account details, such as your account type and balance

• Account transactions, including incoming and outgoing payments

• Bills and regular payments, such as subscriptions and direct debits

• Account features and benefits

ClearScore will never have access to your passwords or login details. The connection is read-only, meaning nothing can be changed in your bank account through the link.

A link only lasts for 90 days, so you'll need to give your consent to share your account data again after that period. If you decide not to re-authenticate, ClearScore will delete or anonymise the data associated with your bank provider in line with its data-retention policy.

How can your affordability score help you get better deals?

Your affordability score could potentially save you money when you apply for credit.

Linking your accounts gives you the option to share your financial data directly with banks and lenders. If they have a more detailed picture of your income and spending habits, they may be able to offer you more competitive interest rates or higher credit limits when you apply. For example, if your bank transactions show a steady income and responsible spending, a lender might view your application more favourably than if they were relying on your credit report alone.

This can be especially helpful if your credit score doesn't fully reflect your current financial situation. Perhaps you're new to credit or have recently improved your spending habits. Sharing affordability data lets lenders see the bigger picture, which could work in your favour.

How do you improve your affordability score?

In your affordability report, ClearScore provides personalised insights that highlight what you're doing well and where there's room for improvement. You'll receive actionable steps that may help boost your affordability score, which could in turn increase your chances of being approved for credit.

Some practical ways to improve your affordability score include:

• Reducing non-essential spending to show lenders you have disposable income available for repayments.

• Keeping your regular outgoings, such as subscriptions and memberships, under review and cancelling any you no longer use.

• Making sure your income is being paid into your linked account so it's accurately reflected in your report.

• Avoiding large, irregular purchases in the weeks before a credit application, as these can affect how your spending patterns appear.

Improving your affordability score takes time and consistency, but even small changes to your spending habits can make a difference to how lenders assess your application.

Frequently asked questions about affordability scores

Does checking my affordability score affect my credit score?

No. Checking your affordability score with ClearScore does not affect your credit score in any way. The process uses open banking to read your bank transaction data - it doesn't involve a credit search or leave any mark on your credit report. You can check your affordability score as often as you like without any impact on your creditworthiness.

How often is my affordability score updated?

Your affordability score updates regularly based on the latest transaction data from your linked bank account. As new income and spending information comes through, your score and report are recalculated to reflect your current financial position. Keep in mind that a bank link lasts for 90 days, so you'll need to re-authenticate after that period to continue receiving updates.

Do all lenders use affordability scores?

Not all lenders currently use affordability scores as part of their decision-making process. However, a growing number of banks and credit providers are beginning to consider open banking data alongside traditional credit checks. When you apply for credit through ClearScore (a credit broker, not a lender), you have the option to share your affordability data with participating lenders, which may help them offer you more competitive interest rates or better terms.

Can I have a good credit score but a low affordability score?

Yes, this is entirely possible. Your credit score is based on your borrowing history, so if you've always repaid on time and kept balances low, it could be in the Looking bright (605-724) or Soaring high (725+) range. However, if your current spending is high relative to your income - perhaps due to increased living costs, new subscriptions, or irregular earnings - your affordability score could be lower. This is one reason why looking at both scores together gives you a more accurate view of where you stand with lenders.

What happens to my affordability score if I unlink my bank account?

If you unlink your bank account or choose not to re-authenticate after the 90-day period, ClearScore will delete or anonymise the data associated with your bank provider in line with its data-retention policy (see ClearScore's privacy policy for details). Your affordability score will no longer be available until you link an account again. Your credit score and report remain unaffected, as they are sourced separately from credit reference agencies.