Get a basic understanding

There are lots of credit types to choose from, depending on your immediate and longer-term needs. If you’re planning to borrow money, it’s important to understand how credit works first.

What is credit?

What do lenders look for?

To make a decision on a credit application, it’s usual for lenders and other service providers to complete credit checks, assessing your reliability as a borrower, and the risk of lending to you.

What is a hard or soft credit?

Know where you stand with Halifax

Know where you stand with Halifax

Sign up for ‘Your Credit Score’ to see your credit score with TransUnion. It’s free to check and won’t harm your credit score.

More on Your Credit Score

Which option is right for me?

Which option is right for me?

Our online borrowing options tool could help you to decide which type of credit might suit you.

Borrowing options tool

Support with the cost of living

With the rising cost of living, it's natural to worry about your money. To help you manage your money, we have some useful tips and tools. 

Help with money worries

Help me manage my money

Making sure you get a fair deal

We want you to find a product that's right for your circumstances, which is why we adhere to the Standards of Lending Practice, which are monitored and enforced by the LSB.

To find out more you can read the statement of responsibilities, which details what's expected of us, the lender and you the borrower.

Download the statement of responsibilities (PDF 60kb)