Without a credit rating, companies and banks would have to pass on a financial default risk to all transactions. That would affect everyone!

Many products, services and loans would probably be more expensive - for all of us. Many transactions would take much longer.

You might have to take out expensive credit default insurance for a loan - as is mandatory in other countries. Convenient payment options such as "purchase on account" on the Internet would hardly exist in their current form. Many online orders would take days to process - today it only takes seconds.

Find out more under .