The UAE News Report
Etihad Credit Bureau has launched Credit Score 3i for individuals, extending the assessment period for credit behaviour and widening coverage to eligible people with limited credit histories.
The federal entity announced the next-generation model at its new Abu Dhabi office on October 29. It assesses up to 36 months of credit behaviour, compared with 24 months under the previous model.
The bureau said the changes give lenders a broader view of financial obligations and repayment patterns while helping individuals understand the factors affecting their credit profiles.
Two scoring ranges
Credit Score 3i introduces a range of 300–850 for people with established credit histories and 300–650 for eligible individuals who are new to credit or new to the UAE and have limited histories.
The model uses separate scoring approaches tailored to those customer segments. Lending decisions remain subject to individual institutions’ policies and assessment criteria.
Marwan Ahmad Lutfi, director general of Etihad Credit Bureau, said the model advances the use of data and analytics to support more comprehensive credit risk assessments and responsible credit practices.
Improvement after settling defaults
The bureau said sustained improvements in repayment behaviour may be reflected in scores within six months after defaults have been resolved, depending on subsequent behaviour, the overall credit profile and the model’s criteria.
A score increase within six months is not guaranteed. New defaults or other negative developments may affect progress and require a further period of positive behaviour.
Credit reports also provide information on factors influencing scores and recommendations that may help users improve their profiles.
Access and wider credit data
Individuals can access the service through Etihad Credit Bureau’s official website or mobile app, subject to its registration, identity verification and fee procedures.
As of September 2026, the bureau said its active financial database covered approximately 11.6 million individuals and businesses, 20.2 million active credit contracts and 25.3 million active IBANs.
It issued more than 17 million credit reports and scores in 2025, compared with about one million in 2015. Its reporting scope expanded in 2026 to include buy now, pay later accounts and other short-term credit products.
