They've raised the bar if you're after a loan (Independent)

In the midst of a banking crisis, your credit score is king. As loans become harder to obtain and more expensive, consumers can't afford a record of missed repayments or unpaid bills on the files held by the credit reference agencies. A low score will make it tough to secure an advance for a car or house. A high one, on the other hand, could be a passport to the little cheap credit that is ...