What is the function of a credit history in credit scoring?

The function of a credit history in credit scoring is to help determine an individual’s creditworthiness. A credit history represents the chronological record of a person's borrowing and repayment activities, including details about credit accounts, payment history, amounts owed, and any late payments or defaults. This information is analyzed by credit scoring models to assess how likely an individual is to repay new debts based on their past behavior with credit.

Lenders use this assessment of creditworthiness to make informed decisions about whether to grant credit, how much credit to extend, and what interest rates to charge. A strong credit history indicates a reliable borrower, while a negative credit history can suggest higher risk to lenders. This makes credit history a critical component of credit scoring and a key factor in financial decision-making.