Credit check for employment
As a leading provider of background checks for the financial services sector, we recognise the critical need to mitigate risks linked to financial mismanagement.
Our mission is to safeguard your business, leveraging our expertise to conduct credit checks with swift turnaround times.
Contact us for orders exceeding 50 units
Product details
Average one-day turnaround
Pay-per-candidate package for employers only
Checks only for UK-based candidates
If your candidate requires international checks, please do not purchase this package. Get in touch to discuss your international requirements.
Why choose a credit check in financial services hiring?
Credit checks are crucial for mitigating the risks your employees may pose to your business, ensuring there are no financial factors that could shift their motivations from benign to desperate, or even malicious.
We will provide you with a same-day report, which will highlight any missed payments, defaults, county court judgements (CCJs), or bankruptcies, as well as any linked addresses the candidate may not have declared during their application.
Our team of experts work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are UK-based.
We perform over one million checks per year, and work with the government and other screening and regulatory bodies, to ensure the most up-to-date screening and compliance and protect your business.
What’s included in our credit screening process?
Our credit screening process is designed to give you a clear, comprehensive view of an applicant’s financial reliability - helping you make confident, informed decisions. Here’s what you can expect:
Identity verification
We confirm the applicant’s identity to ensure all information is accurate and secure
Credit history check
We assess credit reports from leading credit bureaus to evaluate payment history, outstanding debts, and credit utilisation
Public record search
We scan for any relevant public records, including bankruptcies, County Court Judgments (CCJs), and insolvencies
Fraud prevention checks
We run checks against national fraud databases to flag any suspicious or high-risk activity
Custom risk scoring
We provide a tailored risk score based on your criteria, helping you streamline approvals and reduce exposure
Our process is fast, compliant, and designed to support your business goals - whether you're screening tenants, employees, or customers.
What's required?
All we’ll need from you is the following for your candidate/s:
Name history (since birth)
Five years address history
Date of birth
Candidate information can be uploaded as and when you need screening to be completed via the form which will be emailed to you.
This package is designed for businesses with up to 50 employees. For anything larger, or for checks outside of England and Wales, please reach out to one of our experts who will design you a tailored package that's right for you.
FCA compliance and industry standards you can trust
When it comes to credit checks, compliance isn’t optional - it’s essential. At Reed Screening, we operate in full alignment with Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulations, ensuring every credit screening we conduct meets the highest standards of accuracy, transparency, and data protection.
Our credit check services are built on a foundation of FCA compliance, giving you peace of mind that your screening processes are both ethical and legally sound. We stay ahead of evolving regulatory requirements and industry best practices, so you don’t have to.
Why FCA compliance matters:
Protects your business from regulatory risk
Ensures fair and responsible use of credit data
Builds trust with clients, candidates, and stakeholders
With a strong focus on data integrity, transparency, and responsible reporting, we help businesses of all sizes make smarter, safer decisions. Whether you're assessing financial risk, verifying identity, or building trust with stakeholders, our commitment to compliance ensures you're always on solid ground.
Our refund policy
All screening packages and products offered by Reed Screening are for employers/organisations. If you purchase a product for yourself, we will arrange for the full cost to be refunded to you.
Credit check FAQs
No, a credit check for employment purposes won’t impact a candidate’s credit rating. These checks are considered ’soft inquiries’, meaning they don’t affect the credit score, unlike ‘hard inquiries’ used by lenders.
If you're an employer conducting pre-employment screening, or a candidate preparing for a role that involves financial responsibility, understanding how to check a credit score is essential.
As a screening provider, we recommend the following steps for individuals who want to check their own credit score before undergoing a pre-employment credit check:
Access your credit report through one of the UK’s main credit reference agencies - Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion, each offers a free statutory report
Use a trusted financial app or online service that provides free credit score access. Many UK banks now include this feature in their mobile banking platforms
Review your report for accuracy, including your payment history, outstanding debts, and any public records like CCJs or bankruptcies
Monitor your score regularly to stay informed and address any discrepancies before they impact employment opportunities
Tip for candidates: Checking your own credit score does not affect it, and it’s a proactive step that shows you're prepared and financially aware.
A credit check for employment is a type of background screening used to assess a candidate’s financial history and behaviour. It’s typically carried out for roles that involve handling money, managing budgets, or accessing sensitive financial data.
Unlike credit checks for lending, employment credit checks are soft searches - they do not affect the candidate’s credit score and are not visible to other lenders.
We provide FCA-compliant credit checks as part of our pre-employment screening services. All checks are conducted with the candidate’s consent and in full compliance with UK employment and data protection laws.
A soft credit check, also known as a soft search, is a type of credit inquiry that allows employers or individuals to view certain elements of a credit report without affecting the credit score.
In the context of pre-employment screening, soft credit checks are commonly used to assess a candidate’s financial background for roles that involve financial responsibility, access to sensitive data, or regulatory compliance.
Key features of a soft credit check:
Does not impact the candidate’s credit score
Not visible to other lenders or financial institutions
Provides insight into financial behaviour, such as payment history, outstanding debts, and public records (e.g. CCJs or bankruptcies)
Employers conduct credit checks as part of pre-employment screening to assess a candidate’s financial responsibility - especially for roles that involve handling money, managing budgets, or accessing sensitive financial data.
A credit check can help employers identify potential risks and ensure that candidates are suitable for positions of trust. These checks are typically soft searches, meaning they do not affect the candidate’s credit score or appear on their credit file to other lenders.
Common reasons employers run credit checks:
To evaluate financial integrity for roles in finance, accounting, or senior leadership
To meet regulatory or compliance requirements, particularly in FCA-regulated industries
To reduce risk in positions were fraud, theft, or financial misconduct could be a concern
To support fair and informed hiring decisions based on verified financial behaviour
A credit check for employment provides a snapshot of a candidate’s financial history to help assess their suitability for roles involving financial responsibility or regulatory compliance.
It typically shows:
Public records like bankruptcies or County Court Judgments (CCJs)
Outstanding debts and credit utilisation
Payment history and financial conduct
These are soft checks, so they don’t affect the candidate’s credit score or appear to lenders. At Reed Screening, our FCA-compliant credit checks are designed to support fair, informed hiring decisions while protecting candidate privacy.
Banks run credit checks during hiring to assess a candidate’s financial responsibility and trustworthiness - especially for roles involving access to money, customer accounts, or sensitive financial data.
These checks help ensure:
The candidate has a track record of managing finances responsibly
There’s minimal risk of financial misconduct or fraud
The individual meets regulatory and compliance standards
Popular background checks products
Reach out to one of our specialists if you're interested in additional checks, or need to conduct 50 or more
Need checks for 50 or more people?
Enterprise-scale businesses often require a bespoke package to screen a larger number of candidates, find a cost effective, robust solution that suits your needs.
Unparalleled credit check service
24/7, fast and efficient
We’re the only team of UK-based professionals that deliver pre-employment screening services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This allows us to provide you with a fast, efficient service you can rely on, and our dedicated team is only an email or phone call away.
Cutting-edge tech & experience
Our experience combined with access to the latest cutting-edge vetting technology and integrated client portal enables us to offer top-level security, optimum efficiency, transparency, and a seamless experience for you and those you are looking to hire.
Safe hiring pioneers
We collaborate closely with the UK government to drive change. As pioneers of safe hiring practices in the UK, we work to ensure screening processes are non-discriminatory and inclusive, efficient, and best for business and the economy.