Credit bureaus administer data bases containing individuals’ credit histories. For example, the data show whether an individual has obtained a credit card, bank card, or other type of loan, and whether payments have been made on time or not.

Credit bureaus gather information on individuals’ credit histories from financial entities (banks, Sofoles, among others), as well as retail companies (department stores, auto finance companies, cellular phone companies, among others). Credit bureaus provide information on individuals’ credit histories to these entities and to companies.

Credit bureaus are governed by the Law to Regulate Credit Bureaus. Two credit bureaus operate currently in Mexico: the Buró de Crédito and the Círculo de Crédito. Both are supervised by the CNBV.

Banco de México issues the general rules by which the credit bureaus must abide.