In a strategic move aimed at enhancing the credit environment in Jordan and addressing the challenges arising from the removal of legal protection on checks starting in the second half of 2025, the Association of Banks in Jordan and CRIF Jordan signed a cooperation agreement on Thursday, February 27, 2025. The agreement seeks to promote the use of credit information and support various sectors, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which heavily rely on checks as a means of financing their business operations.

The agreement focuses on collaboration between the two parties to expand CRIF Jordan’s data providers to include additional entities such as electricity and water companies, the Social Security Corporation, and chambers of industry and commerce. The Association of Banks will provide all possible support to CRIF Jordan, enabling banks to make more accurate and reliable credit decisions based on sector-specific reports and analyses. Furthermore, the agreement aims to enhance public awareness regarding the importance of creditworthiness and its impact on financial transactions.

In this regard, Dr. Maher Al-Mahrouq, Director General of the Association of Banks in Jordan, emphasized the significance of this agreement in strengthening cooperation between the banking sector and CRIF Jordan. He stated, “We continuously strive to improve the credit environment in Jordan and support various sectors by providing tools and information that facilitate more precise credit decisions. This agreement will contribute to strengthening trust between banks and customers and will facilitate access to credit information, which is essential for improving the creditworthiness of individuals and businesses.”

Mr. Ahmed Amoudi, General Manager of CRIF Jordan, also highlighted the importance of this agreement, stating, “This agreement represents a significant step towards developing cooperation between CRIF Jordan and the Association of Banks in Jordan, as it plays a crucial role in enhancing transparency and trust in the credit system. By expanding data sources and improving access to credit information within the framework of the Credit Information Law, this initiative will support various sectors in the Kingdom—especially SMEs—in overcoming financial challenges that may arise following the removal of legal protection on checks.”

The scope of cooperation between the two parties includes expanding data sources, launching awareness campaigns to educate individuals and businesses on the importance of credit assessment and ways to improve their credit scores, and facilitating secure and legally compliant electronic access to credit reports for individuals and businesses.