The credit register has clarified lending and improved statistical data

Lenders, ministry representatives, parties engaged in the financial sector and other stakeholders gathered together to share their experiences about the Positive credit register at the register’s spring seminar on 21 May 2026. Stakeholders are pleased with the register. The introduction of the register has been a major societal change whose final impact will only become clear over time. Above all, the register has improved the quality of lending and the private individuals’ overall view of their finances, and it provides more comprehensive information about households’ debt burden.  

Three primary groups of users were set for the register:

• Lenders, which report data on consumer credits to the register (for example, home loans, student loans, credit cards). Lenders also assess private individuals’ creditworthiness based on the data disclosed on the credit register extracts they request from the register.
• Private individuals, who can view their own data in the register’s e-service. In addition, they can set a voluntary ban on credits to themselves.
• Authorities, which monitor and supervise the financial market and produce statistical data about the register.

But what does the register have to offer to different user groups?

More comprehensive data for lenders to help them make decisions

On the whole, the register’s data users, i.e. lenders, are pleased with the Positive credit register. The register has improved the quality of lending decisions: thanks to the register, lenders now have more accurate and comprehensive data on which to base their credit decisions. Before the register, information about private individuals’ loans was asked from the persons themselves, and it sometimes happened that they omitted loans, for example because they did not regard them as loans. Examples of loans that have not always been understood to be loans are hire-purchase financing and credit cards. 

Further, the register accelerates the lending process: lenders have access to real-time data, so they do not need to ask details from their customers or search for information in other sources.

A new tool for private individuals to help control their personal finances

Private individuals are encouraged to view their loan data in the register’s e-service. The register may reveal loas that are no longer needed, such as unnecessary credit cards or hire-purchase financing that can be terminated. You can terminate unnecessary loans by contacting the lender that has reported the loan data to the register. The lender’s details are available in the e-service. 

It is also advisable to view the loan data recorded in the register before you apply for a new loan: it helps you assess your repayment capacity and the amount of new loan you could still apply for. At the same time, you can check if you have any unnecessary loans in the register and terminate them, which accelerates and simplifies the processing of your new loan application.

More reliable statistical data for authorities  

According to the Bank of Finland, the register is an excellent databank for use in monitoring the indebtedness of private individuals. In addition, Statistics Finland provides statistical data based on the data recorded in the register. Thanks to the register, the statistical data is more comprehensive, more real-time and more reliable than it was earlier when statistics were largely based on estimates and survey results.   

In the register’s e-service, you can also set a voluntary ban on credits free on charge if you want to better protect your data. You can lift the ban and edit it whenever necessary.