An agency that collects individual credit information and sells it for a fee to creditors so they can make a decision on granting loans. Typical clients include banks, mortgage lenders, credit card companies, and other financing companies. (Also commonly referred to as consumer-reporting agency or credit-reporting agency.) Source: OCC
State Law
Rhode Island
means any entity or person who or that, for monetary fees, dues, or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in whole or in part in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing credit reports to third parties;

(2)(i)  “Credit report” means any written, oral, or other communication of any information by a credit bureau bearing on a consumer’s credit worthiness, credit standing, or credit capacity, that is used or expected to be used or collected in whole or in part for the purpose of serving as a factor in establishing the consumer’s eligibility for:

(A)  Credit or insurance to be used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes;

(B)  Employment purposes; or

(C)  Other purposes authorized under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, Rhode Island General Laws 6-13.1-20