A credit bureau is an organization that collects, stores, and analyzes individuals’ and businesses’ financial histories, such as loan repayments, credit card usage, and outstanding debts. These agencies compile credit reports and generate credit scores, which lenders, landlords, and other entities use to evaluate a person's creditworthiness and assess the risk of lending money or extending services. Credit bureaus play a crucial role in the financial system by helping to prevent fraud and enabling informed lending decisions. Major credit bureaus include Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.