Square Capital / Celtic Bank Square Business Loans, Square Installment Loans, Seller Cash Advances |
ExperianTransUnion |
Medium (varies) |
Square Capital's business financing is underwritten by Celtic Bank. Pulls Experian or TransUnion for personal guarantee checks on business loans. Cash advances typically use business revenue data (Dun & Bradstreet) with a soft personal pull. Great option for small business owners with Square payment history. |
Celtic Bank SBA Loans, Indigo Mastercard, Milestone Mastercard, Business Cards |
ExperianTransUnion |
Medium (varies) |
Celtic Bank is a Utah-chartered bank that powers many fintech products. Issues Indigo and Milestone cards (credit rebuilder cards) — these pull Experian primarily. SBA loans may involve all 3 bureaus. Also backs Square Capital, Kabbage, and other B2B products. |
Truist Bank Truist Enjoy Cash, Truist Enjoy Travel, Formerly BB&T / SunTrust |
EquifaxTransUnion |
Medium (varies) |
Formed from the BB&T + SunTrust merger. Primarily Equifax in the Southeast; TransUnion seen in other regions. Strong presence in Mid-Atlantic and Southern states. Personal loans tend to pull Equifax. |
Citizens Bank Cash Back Plus, Everyday Points, Clear Value Mastercard |
EquifaxTransUnion |
Medium (varies) |
Northeast-focused bank. Primarily TransUnion in New England; Equifax in mid-Atlantic states. Personal loans frequently pull Equifax. Strong for rebuilders — some cards approve 580+ FICO. |
Fifth Third Bank Fifth Third 1% Cash/Back Card, Truly Simple Card |
EquifaxTransUnion |
Medium (varies) |
Midwestern regional bank. Equifax most commonly reported; TransUnion also seen in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Not available in all states. Good for existing banking customers. |
Regions Bank Prestige Visa, Cash Rewards Visa, Now Card |
Equifax |
Low (1 pull) |
Southeast and Midwest regional bank. Primarily Equifax. Relationship banking model — existing Regions checking customers often get better approval odds. Good for Southern rebuilders protecting TransUnion. |
FNBO (First National Bank of Omaha) FNBO Visa, Secured Card, Co-branded airline/hotel cards |
TransUnionExperian |
Medium (varies) |
Issues many co-branded and white-label credit cards. TransUnion primary for most products; some reports of Experian. Also backs the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard and several other travel co-brands. |
Bread Financial (Alliance Data) Bread Cashback Amex, Bread Pay (BNPL), formerly Alliance Data |
EquifaxTransUnion |
Medium (varies) |
Parent company of Comenity Bank and Comenity Capital Bank. Bread Pay (Buy Now Pay Later) installment products may pull Experian for larger amounts. Store card products primarily Equifax. Rebranded from Alliance Data in 2022. |
KeyBank Key Cashback Credit Card, Key Latitude, Business Cards |
EquifaxTransUnion |
Medium (varies) |
Northeast and Great Lakes regional bank. Primarily TransUnion; some Equifax reports from Ohio and Pacific Northwest. Relationship banking focus — easier approvals for existing customers. |
Upstart Personal Loans (AI-powered underwriting, via Cross River Bank) |
ExperianTransUnion |
Medium (varies) |
AI-driven lending platform backed by Cross River Bank. Soft pull during rate check; hard pull upon full application. Pulls Experian or TransUnion. Unique underwriting factors in education and employment — can approve thin-file borrowers that traditional lenders reject. |
LendingClub Personal Loans, LendingClub Bank Credit Card |
ExperianTransUnion |
Medium (varies) |
Now a full bank (acquired Radius Bank). Personal loans pull Experian or TransUnion. Credit card launched 2022 pulls TransUnion primarily. Soft check during pre-qualification — safe to check rates without impacting score. |
WebBank Fingerhut, Avant, PayPal Credit, Klarna (bank partner) |
ExperianTransUnionEquifax |
Medium (varies by product) |
Utah-chartered bank powering many fintech products. Fingerhut pulls Equifax/TransUnion (good rebuilder option). Avant pulls Experian. PayPal Credit (for large purchases) may pull Experian or Equifax. Bureau varies significantly by partner product. |
PenFed Credit Union Power Cash Rewards, Gold, Premium Travel, Personal Loans |
TransUnionExperian |
Medium (varies) |
One of the largest credit unions in the US — open to all (anyone can join via $5 donation). Primarily TransUnion; Experian also reported. Strong approval rates for members. Excellent for those with thin EX/EQ files protecting those bureaus for Chase/Amex. |
Alliant Credit Union Alliant Visa Signature, Cashback Visa, Personal Loans |
TransUnion |
Low (1 pull) |
Online credit union open to anyone (join for $5 charity donation). Consistently pulls TransUnion only — ideal for applicants protecting EX and EQ. Offers one of the best flat-rate cashback cards (2.5%) with no annual fee for qualifying members. |
First Tech Federal Credit Union Choice Rewards World Mastercard, Platinum Mastercard, Personal Loans |
TransUnionEquifax |
Medium (varies) |
Primarily serves tech industry employees (Amazon, Microsoft, Intel, Google) but open to broader membership. Primarily TransUnion; some Equifax reports. Competitive rates and good limits for tech sector applicants with strong income profiles. |
DCU (Digital Federal Credit Union) Visa Platinum, Visa Secured, Personal Loans, Auto Loans |
TransUnionEquifax |
Medium (2 pulls) |
Open to anyone via a $10 Reach Out for Schools donation. Often pulls both TransUnion and Equifax. One of the best secured card options — can graduate to unsecured with responsible use. Very low interest rate (starting at 13.5% APR) compared to most cards. |
BECU (Boeing Employees' Credit Union) Visa Cash Back, Member Advantage Visa, Business Visa |
TransUnion |
Low (1 pull) |
Open to Washington state residents and Boeing/partner employees nationwide. Consistently pulls TransUnion. One of the largest credit unions in the Pacific Northwest. Low rates and excellent member service — great for protecting EX for Chase applications. |
Golden 1 Credit Union Visa Rewards, Visa Platinum, Secured Visa |
TransUnion |
Low (1 pull) |
California-based credit union open to California residents. Primarily TransUnion. Competitive auto loan rates as well. Good option for California members wanting a TU-only inquiry while protecting EX and EQ for premium card applications. |
Suncoast Credit Union Visa Rewards, Visa Platinum, Secured Visa |
TransUnionEquifax |
Medium (varies) |
Florida's largest credit union. Primarily TransUnion with occasional Equifax reports. Open to Florida residents. Excellent auto loan and mortgage rates. Good community banking option for Florida members managing inquiry strategy. |
Connexus Credit Union Rewards Visa, Cash Back Visa, Personal Loans |
ExperianTransUnion |
Medium (varies) |
Open to anyone via a $5 Connexus Association membership. Primarily Experian; some TransUnion reports. High rewards rate on some products. Good for members with strong Experian profiles who want credit union rates. |
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Rewards Visa, Platinum Visa, Secured Visa |
TransUnion |
Low (1 pull) |
California-based, primarily for school employees and their families. Consistently pulls TransUnion. Great rates and member-friendly underwriting. If you're a California educator, this is one of the best credit union options for protecting EX/EQ. |
America First Credit Union (AFCU) Visa Rewards, Visa Platinum, Secured, Personal Loans |
EquifaxTransUnion |
Medium (varies) |
One of the 10 largest credit unions in the US. Primarily serves Utah and Nevada residents. Pulls Equifax or TransUnion depending on product. Strong auto loan rates. Open to residents in several western states. |
RBFCU (Randolph-Brooks FCU) Visa Rewards, Visa Platinum, Business Card, Auto Loans |
TransUnionEquifax |
Medium (varies) |
Texas-based credit union open to Texas residents and select employers. Pulls primarily TransUnion; Equifax also reported. Competitive rates and strong member perks. One of the top Texas credit unions for both credit cards and auto financing. |
Mountain America Credit Union (MACU) Visa Rewards, Secured Visa, Personal Loans |
TransUnion |
Low (1 pull) |
Open to residents in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Primarily TransUnion. Solid credit union for Western US members wanting to preserve Experian for premium card applications. Good secured card for rebuilders. |
Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU) Prime Rewards Visa, Mastercard, Personal Loans |
Experian |
Low (1 pull) |
Michigan and Florida membership. Pulls Experian. The LMCU Prime Rewards Visa is notable for 3% cash back on groceries, gas, restaurants, and Amazon — one of the best reward rates in the credit union space. |
State Department FCU (SDFCU) Visa Rewards, Platinum Visa, Personal Loans |
EquifaxTransUnion |
Medium (varies) |
Open to anyone via American Consumer Council membership ($8/yr). Pulls Equifax or TransUnion. Strong travel rewards with no foreign transaction fees. Good credit union option for international travelers wanting to diversify bureau exposure. |
Delta Community Credit Union Visa Rewards, Secured Visa, Personal Loans |
TransUnion |
Low (1 pull) |
Georgia-based credit union (not affiliated with Delta Airlines). Open to Georgia residents and Metro Atlanta area. Primarily TransUnion. Solid rates and flexible underwriting for credit rebuilders. Good for protecting EX/EQ for Chase/Amex plans. |