What is CCRIS and CTOS? A Complete Guide to Malaysia’s Credit Reporting Systems

Malaysia is facing a concerning rise in bankruptcy cases. According to the Malaysia Department of Insolvency, a total of 132,124 bankruptcy cases have been recorded as of January 2025, with 23,491 cases occurring between 2021 and 2025. Among them, individuals aged 35-44 years old account for the largest group, with 9,337 cases (39.75%).

The biggest culprit? Personal loans. With 11,169 bankruptcy cases (47.55%) attributed to personal loan defaults, it’s clear that poor financial management and unchecked borrowing habits are major contributors to insolvency.

In an effort to provide relief, on 1st Sep 2021, the government raised the bankruptcy threshold from RM50,000 to RM100,000, allowing individuals with lower debts to be discharged automatically. However, this doesn’t mean debt isn’t a serious issue—mismanaging your finances can still have long-term consequences on your ability to secure loans, buy a home, or even find employment.

So, how do you avoid financial pitfalls? The first step is understanding your credit health through CCRIS and CTOS. These credit reporting systems play a vital role in assessing your financial credibility, determining whether you’re seen as a low-risk or high-risk borrower by banks and financial institutions.

Let’s break down what CCRIS and CTOS are and why monitoring your credit score is more important than ever.

What is CCRIS?

CCRIS, short for Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS), is a credit reporting database managed by Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) Credit Bureau. It serves as a centralized system that collects and compiles credit-related data from banks and financial institutions across Malaysia.

Unlike CTOS, which assigns a credit score, CCRIS provides a factual report on an individual's borrowing history. This report includes details such as outstanding loans, repayment records, credit applications, and flagged accounts.

Your CCRIS report plays a crucial role when applying for a credit card, personal loan, mortgage, or car loan. Financial institutions use it to evaluate:

• Your ability to repay debts on time
• Your borrowing behavior and credit exposure
• Whether you pose a high or low credit risk

A strong CCRIS report can help you secure loan approvals with lower interest rates, while a poor report may result in higher borrowing costs or outright rejections.

What’s in a CCRIS report?

Source: BNM

CCRIS does not label borrowers as "good" or "bad" — it simply provides a factual record of an individual's financial commitments. The report is divided into several sections:

What is CTOS?

CTOS, or CTOS Data Systems Sdn. Bhd., is a private credit reporting agency in Malaysia. Unlike CCRIS, which is managed by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), CTOS operates independently as a licensed credit bureau under the Credit Reporting Agencies Act 2010.

CTOS plays a crucial role in Malaysia’s financial system, as many banks, financial institutions, legal firms, and businesses use CTOS reports to assess the creditworthiness of individuals and companies before approving loans or credit applications.

What is a CTOS score?

Source: CTOS

The CTOS score is a numerical representation of a person’s creditworthiness, similar to a credit health report card. It ranges from 300 to 850:

• Higher scores (above 700): Indicate lower credit risk and improve chances of loan approval.
• Lower scores (below 500): Suggest higher credit risk, making loan approval more difficult.

Lenders use the CTOS score to evaluate how reliable a borrower is when repaying debts.

Where does CTOS get its data from?

CTOS gathers information from various public sources and government agencies to compile a comprehensive credit report. These sources include:

• Legal notices in newspapers
• Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).
• Government gazettes and publications 
• Malaysian Department of Insolvency
• National Registration Department (JPN) 
• Immigration Department of Malaysia 
• Registrar of Societies (ROS)
• National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) 

What’s in a CTOS credit report?

CTOS reports provide a comprehensive overview of financial health, helping lenders determine the risk of approving credit or loans.

What Are the Differences Between CCRIS and CTOS?

While both CCRIS and CTOS provide credit reports that help banks and lenders assess a borrower’s creditworthiness, they differ from management, data sources, and report structure:

How to check your CCRIS report

The CCRIS report is free and can be obtained through multiple methods:

1. Online via eCCRIS

• Visit the eCCRIS website.
• New users can register online by making a RM1 transfer to a designated BNM account for identity verification. The RM1 will be refunded within two working days.
• Once registered, you can log in anytime to view, download, or print your CCRIS report from home.

📌 Since 18 February 2022, individuals no longer need to visit a Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) branch for in-person registration.

2. In person at Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) branches

• You can still request a printed copy of your CCRIS report at:
• BNM Head Office (Kuala Lumpur)
• BNM Regional Offices (located in major cities).
• Alternatively, use self-service kiosks available at participating BNM branches.
• Bring your MyKad (IC) or passport for identity verification.

3. By correspondence (mail, email, or fax)

If you are unable to access eCCRIS or visit a branch, you can request your CCRIS report remotely by contacting BNM TELELINK:

📍 BNM TELELINK
Jabatan LINK dan Pejabat Wilayah Tingkat Bawah, Blok D, Bank Negara Malaysia Jalan Dato’ Onn, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

📠 Fax: +603 2174 1515

📧 Email: bnmtelelink@bnm.gov.my

🔹 CCRIS reports are available once every 3 months and do not include a credit score—only your credit history.

How to check your CTOS score

Unlike CCRIS, CTOS assigns a credit score (300-850), which helps financial institutions evaluate your creditworthiness.There are three types of reports:

Why are credit scores important?

They are used by banks for credit analysis

Before approving any loan, mortgage, or credit card, banks conduct a credit evaluation process to assess an applicant’s financial health. CCRIS and CTOS reports play a crucial role in this assessment, helping financial institutions determine whether a borrower is capable of repaying their debt. 

These reports provide detailed records of an individual's existing loans, outstanding balances, and repayment behavior.

Additionally, banks use the information in these reports to calculate the Debt Service Ratio (DSR), a metric that measures how much of a borrower’s income is allocated to debt repayments. A lower DSR indicates that an individual has better financial capacity to take on new loans, increasing the likelihood of approval. 

A poor credit history, on the other hand, may lead to loan rejection or approval with higher interest rates to compensate for the risk.

They provide records on repayment history

A borrower’s credit history is permanently recorded in CCRIS and CTOS reports, detailing past and present financial commitments. These records cannot be removed or altered unless updated by the relevant financial authorities. Late or missed payments will continue to appear in these reports, potentially affecting future loan applications.

To avoid complications, borrowers must consistently monitor and update their credit reports. Ensuring timely repayments and maintaining a low debt-to-income ratio can improve financial standing, making it easier to secure new loans when needed. 

Financial institutions rely on this repayment history to determine whether an individual is financially responsible, influencing their decision on approving credit applications.

Building wealth starts with a strong credit score: how StashAway complements financial growth

Your credit score plays a crucial role in your financial health—it determines your ability to secure loans, get better interest rates, and access financial opportunities. But while a good credit score helps you borrow wisely, true financial freedom comes from growing your wealth so you’re not reliant on loans in the first place.

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Why your credit score and investments go hand in hand

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How to use StashAway to strengthen your financial future

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Having a strong credit score is essential, but building wealth through smart investing is what truly secures your financial future. Start investing with StashAway today and take control of your financial growth.

How to maintain a good credit score

Pay loans and credit cards on time

Late payments negatively affect your credit score. Set up automatic payments or reminders to ensure you pay on time. Consistently paying off debt helps build a strong credit history.

Reduce outstanding debts

Keeping credit card balances low and clearing overdue payments improves your financial standing. Aim to keep your credit utilization below 30% of your credit limit.

Limit new credit applications

Applying for too many loans or credit cards in a short time can signal financial distress. Space out applications and apply only when necessary. If you have a history of late payments, wait 12 months before applying for new credit.

Close unused credit accounts wisely

Too many open credit accounts can make you look risky, but closing old accounts may also lower your credit score. Keep older accounts with good repayment history to show long-term financial responsibility.

Check your credit report regularly

Mistakes in your CCRIS or CTOS report can impact your credit score. Review your report frequently to ensure all records are correct and report any errors immediately. Keeping track of your credit history also helps prevent fraud.

Maintaining a good credit score improves loan approval chances and gives you access to better financial offers with lower interest rates.