Your credit score determines whether your home loan gets approved — and at what interest rate. Yet most Malaysians have never checked it.
In Malaysia, there are two main credit reporting systems: CCRIS (run by Bank Negara Malaysia) and CTOS (a private credit bureau). Banks use both when evaluating your loan applications.
Here is exactly how to check both, what they show, and how to improve your score.
CCRIS vs CTOS: What's the Difference?
| CCRIS | CTOS | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) | CTOS Data Systems (private) |
| What it tracks | Borrowing history from licensed institutions | CCRIS data + legal notices, bankruptcy, dishonoured cheques |
| Score type | Payment history codes (no single score) | Numeric score: 300-850 |
| Free access | Yes - eCCRIS (RM1 refundable deposit) | Yes - free Basic Report twice per year |
Most banks check both when you apply for a home loan, car loan, or credit card. A clean CCRIS alone will not save you if your CTOS shows a court judgment.
How to Check Your CCRIS Report (Free)
CCRIS is managed by Bank Negara Malaysia and shows your borrowing history from all licensed financial institutions for the past 12 months.
- Go to eccris.bnm.gov.my
- Log in with your MyKad number. First-time users: register with your IC number and mobile number. You will receive an OTP via SMS.
- Pay the RM1 refundable deposit via online banking or debit/credit card. This is returned after you view your report.
- Your CCRIS report appears immediately as a PDF. Download it.
- After viewing, request a refund of the RM1 deposit (returned within 3-5 business days).
Reading Your CCRIS Report
Each credit account shows monthly payment status codes:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | No outstanding balance |
| 1 | Payment made on time |
| 2 | 1 month late |
| 3 | 2 months late |
| 4 | 3 months late |
| 5+ | 4+ months late - serious delinquency |
Banks want to see all 1s. Any 2s or higher are red flags that reduce your chances of approval or result in higher interest rates.
How to Check Your CTOS Score (Free Twice a Year)
CTOS is Malaysia's largest private credit reporting agency. Unlike CCRIS, it generates a numeric score from 300-850.
- Go to ctosid.ctos.com.my or download the MyCTOS app (Android/iOS)
- Register with your NRIC, email, and mobile number. Verify via OTP.
- Upload a copy of your MyKad and a selfie for identity verification (one-time step).
- Download your free MyCTOS Basic Report - it includes your CTOS Score, CCRIS summary, bankruptcy status, and legal notices.
Tip: CompareHero.my has a partnership with CTOS that gives you a free full CTOS Score report through their platform - worth checking before paying RM27 for the paid report.
CTOS Score Ranges
| Range | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 750-850 | Excellent | Best rates, fast approval |
| 700-749 | Good | Most loans approved |
| 650-699 | Fair | Possible, but stricter terms |
| 300-649 | Poor | Likely rejection |
What Banks Actually Look At
When you apply for a home loan or car loan, the bank typically checks both:
From CCRIS:
- Payment history (past 12 months) - any late payment codes?
- Current debt load - total outstanding balances across all institutions
- Recent credit applications - multiple new applications signals financial stress
- Special attention accounts - any restructured or monitored loans
From CTOS:
- CTOS Score - below 650 is a significant risk signal
- Bankruptcy records - any undischarged bankruptcy = almost certain rejection
- Legal judgments - outstanding court orders suggest inability to repay
- Business exposure - directorship in a company with bad credit can affect you personally
78% of banks use both CCRIS and CTOS for mortgage evaluations. A clean CCRIS can still fail if your CTOS has a legal judgment.
How to Improve Your Credit Score
Your CTOS score is calculated from five weighted factors:
| Factor | Weight | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Payment behaviour | 45% | Pay every bill on time - this is the most important factor |
| Amount owed | 20% | Keep credit card utilisation below 30% of total credit limit |
| Credit mix | 14% | Having a variety of credit types helps moderately |
| New credit | 14% | Avoid multiple credit applications in a short period |
| Credit history length | 7% | Keep old accounts open - closing them shortens your average credit age |
Common mistakes that hurt your score
- Missing payments by even one month: A 30-day late payment can drop your score by 17-83 points
- Applying for multiple loans at once: Banks see this as a sign of financial stress
- Maxing out credit cards: High utilisation (above 30%) signals cash flow problems
- Closing your oldest credit card: Reduces your credit history length
- Not checking your report: Errors go undetected and uncontested
Timeline for improvement: Late payments stay on CCRIS for 12 months and CTOS for up to 24 months. Consistent on-time payments over 6-12 months is the only reliable method.
How to Dispute Errors
CCRIS errors
Contact the financial institution that reported the incorrect information (not BNM directly). Provide evidence: bank statements, payment receipts, or settlement letters. They will submit a correction to BNM.
CTOS errors
CTOS has a formal dispute process with a 21-day resolution target:
- Phone: 03-2722 8833
- Raise a ticket via ctoscredit.com.my/disputes
- Evidence required: court discharge letters (for settled bankruptcy), bank statements (for disputed payments), or statutory declarations for identity errors
Pre-Loan Application Checklist
Before applying for any major loan:
- Check CCRIS via eccris.bnm.gov.my - look for late payment codes or unfamiliar accounts
- Check CTOS via MyCTOS app - check score, legal notices, and bankruptcy status
- Dispute any errors immediately - resolution takes 21-30 days, start early
- Reduce credit card balances below 30% utilisation before applying
- Do not apply for other credit for at least 3 months before your loan application
- Check your DSR (Debt Service Ratio) - banks want total monthly debt repayments below 60-70% of gross income
FAQ
Does checking my own credit report affect my score?
No. Checking your own report is a "soft inquiry" and has no impact on your score. Only when a lender checks your report (triggered by a credit application) does it count as a "hard inquiry."
My CCRIS is clean but my loan was rejected. Why?
Several reasons: your CTOS may have a legal notice that CCRIS does not show; your Debt Service Ratio may be too high; your employment type may not meet the bank's criteria; or the bank's internal risk model has additional factors. Ask the bank for the specific reason - they are required to disclose it.
How long do negative records stay on my report?
CCRIS shows the past 12 months of payment data. CTOS keeps negative information typically for 24 months for payment history. Bankruptcy records remain until you receive a discharge letter from the Insolvency Department.
I have never had a loan or credit card. Will my application be approved?
Having no credit history can be as problematic as bad credit. Banks have no data to assess your repayment behaviour. Start with a credit card or hire purchase, maintain a clean record for 12-24 months, then apply for a major loan.
Is there a third credit bureau besides CCRIS and CTOS?
Yes. Experian (formerly RAMCI) operates in Malaysia, accessible through MyCreditInfo.com.my. However, CCRIS and CTOS are the two most commonly checked by banks.
Full guide with interactive pre-loan checklist: Checking Your Credit Score in Malaysia (CCRIS & CTOS) - Sorted
Sorted is a collection of plain-language guides to Malaysian bureaucracy - no fluff, no ads, just the steps.
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