Glossary
Hard Enquiry
A hard enquiry is a lender's check of your credit report when you apply for a loan or card. It is recorded in the report as an enquiry. It may have a small effect on your score, and applying too often in a short period may lower it. Each lender you apply to makes a check, so apply only where you are
Related terms: Soft Enquiry, Credit Report, Credit Score.
Published 12 Nov 2026
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