What is PRBC?

PRBC is an American consumer-credit reference agency. It allows individuals to enrol without charge and file their own data on payment of various bills to build up a positive credit file.

Where have you heard about PRBC?

You may have read about PRBC in the financial media and in relation to some of the larger organisations that have subscribed to its services, including the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac).

What you need to know about PRBC.

PRBC was founded in 2002 and was originally named Pay Rent, Build Credit. This was because PRBC was the first credit-reference agency to include the timeliness of rent payments when giving credit references - hitherto, only mortgage payments had been included.

The name was shortened to underline the fact that regular payments other than rent, such as utility bills, telephone and cable charges and insurance premiums, can also be used to put together a credit history.

Consumers can report both their current and previous payment history and the cost of running PRBC is paid by lenders or merchants when they request a credit rating.