Posts tagged "FICO score"

What Does Your Credit Score Mean?

Your credit score is a 3 digit number that is assigned as a convenient way for lenders to understand how credit worthy you are.  It is often used to help them decide whether you qualify for credit and what the associated interest rate will be.

Anytime you apply for credit, your lender is likely to request a copy of your credit report which includes lots of information about your current credit standing.  It will also include the numeric credit score.  Since lenders can easily get their hands on this information, it is beneficial to you if you review the details yourself from time to time.

There are three companies that generate credit scores:  Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.  They generate a number between 300 and 850.  This number is often called the FICO score, which stands for Fair Isaac Corporation.

Here is a quick breakdown of the FICO score values:

•  720-850 – this is the range of average scores and better, a very good range
•  700-719 – rates may not be as good as above, but your credit is still decent
•  675-699 – at this level you are starting to lose out on the best deals
•  620-674 – you cannot get great terms here as loans will cost you extra
•  560-619 – this is really subprime so you’ll have to work to improve
•  500-559 – it’s going to be tough to get any loan

You can find another analysis of the numbers on our credit score rating scale page.

Among the factors that determine your score include your own credit history, the amounts you owed, how much remains, the duration of credit history, and the type of credit you have used.

You can improve your score by paying down any debts, staying well under your credit limit, and pay all bills before due dates.

Explore other resources on this website to learn more about your credit score and how to improve it.

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Posted by Trevor Jones - December 19, 2013 at 1:55 pm

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Factors That Make Up Your Credit Score

Precise details of a FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation) score are never publicized. After having seen your score, do you wonder what factors credits scores are based on?

Being behind on payments always negatively affects your credit score. Payments that are received more than 30 days after due date is considered late. Majority of the creditors report all payments that are late and sort them out in different batches. So, if you are late even just for a day, there is a possibility that your account will be reported alongside those that are 59 days late. Yes, that can happen.

Your credit balance gives your lenders an idea of how much cash you have in hand and your credibility as a paying borrower. High balances create a negative impact on your credit score.

Don’t resort to opening several credit card accounts at a time as this may cause an issue with your lender. Because of such, you might be subjected for multiple credit inquiries since it will seem that you are strapped for cash, which isn’t doing any good to your credit score.

If your credit cards are maxed out, not only you will suffer but so will your credit score. Make sure that your balances are less than 35% of the available credit. It can sound pretty hard, but it’s totally achievable.

The longer your credit record is, the better it is for your rating. Have different kinds of credit card and never close down old ones as these will help you improve your score.

With a little more time and effort you can pretty much increase your score. Don’t let your credit score overwhelm you. You can always do something about it if you’re unsatisfied.

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Posted by Trevor Jones - August 26, 2013 at 1:53 pm

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What Credit Score Means

Your credit score refers to the 3 digit number assigned to consumers as a convenient way for lenders to understand how credit worthy a certain person is.  It is typically utilized in order to help these lenders decide whether you qualify for credit and what the associated interest rate will be.

When you apply for credit, your lender will probably request a copy of your credit report. This report will include a lot of information about your current credit standing.  It also covers the numeric credit score.  Given that lenders can easily get this information, it will be best on your part if you review the details yourself from time to time.

There are three companies that generate credit scores:  Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.  They generate a number between 300 and 850.  This number is also known as the FICO score, which stands for Fair Isaac Corporation.

Here is a quick breakdown of the FICO score values:

•  720-850 – this is the range of average scores and better, a very good range
•  700-719 – rates may not be as good as above, but your credit is still decent
•  675-699 – at this level you are starting to lose out on the best deals
•  620-674 – you cannot get great terms here as loans will cost you extra
•  560-619 – this is really subprime so you’ll have to work to improve
•  500-559 – it’s going to be tough to get any loan

Included in the the factors that determine your score include your own credit history, the amounts you owed, how much remains, the duration of credit history, and the type of credit you have utilized.

You can improve your score by paying down any debts, staying well under your credit limit, and pay all bills before due dates.

Find other resources on this website so as to learn more about your credit score and how to improve it.

Find More Credit Score Articles

Be the first to comment - What do you think?
Posted by Trevor Jones - January 29, 2013 at 1:13 pm

Categories: Credit Score Articles   Tags: ,