Risk Grades Explained: What AA Through HH Actually Mean

A CBS report can show a Bureau Score and a risk grade for the report as a whole. These are separate from each account’s monthly status codes.

Scored grades: AA through HH

The Bureau Score ranges from 1000 to 2000. Grades AA through HH correspond to score bands. For example, AA covers 1911–2000 and HH covers 1000–1723. A grade does not certify that a particular account has no late-payment history.

Non-scored categories

HX, HZ, GX, BX and CX are non-scored categories. They are not extra account-level grades. In CBS’s sample, HX describes public records, with or without enquiries or account records.

Account codes are different

A code such as A or W belongs to a recorded account cycle. A means current or less than 30 days late. W means the lender recorded a default. Read these codes alongside the account history and the report date.

A grade does not decide an application

Lenders use their own assessment criteria. Credit Clarity explains the document and does not predict approval or score changes. For clarification about a report entry, contact CBS directly.

Sources: CBS report explanation and CBS sample hosted by HDB.