Having a good FICO score can determine whether or not you will have access to the loan you need. This article is to help you understand the subject and help you improve your FICO score.
The FICO score considers five different types of data. Some are more significant than others, as you might anticipate. It’s critical to remember the following facts regarding your fico score:
- A score takes into account all of these types of data, not just one or two.
- Any factor’s importance is determined by the overall information in your credit report.
- Your FICO score is based solely on the information included in your credit report.
- Your credit score takes into account both positive and negative aspects of your credit record.
- Increasing your score is similar to getting in better shape.
The percentages are based on the general population’s importance of the five categories. The value of these characteristics may vary depending on the demographic — for example, people who haven’t used credit in a long time.
- Your history of loan payback
Your payment history is one of the most crucial aspects of your credit score, accounting for around 35% of your total score. Your payment score takes into account the following factors:
- Payment information for a variety of accounts: credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, PayPal Credit, and Discover, credit cards from stores or online merchants where you do business, installment loans (loans with regular payments, such as a mortgage), and finance company accounts are just a few examples.
- Reports of occurrences such as bankruptcies, foreclosures, suits, wage attachments, liens, and judgments are examples of public records and collection items.
- Details on delinquencies (late or missed payments) as well as public record and collection items: The FICO score takes into account how late you were with payments, how much you owed when they happened, and how many you have.
- You owe a certain amount of money.
Your current debt accounts for about 30% of your score. Your credit score considers the following facts when it comes to debt:
- The total sum owing on all accounts is as follows: Even if you pay off your credit cards in full every month, a balance on those cards may appear on your credit report. In most cases, the total balance on your most recent bill is the amount that will appear on your credit report.
- The total amount owing on all accounts, as well as the various categories of accounts: The score analyzes the amount you owe on specific types of accounts, such as credit cards and installment loans, in addition to the total amount you owe.
Maintain minimal credit card and other revolving credit amounts. A high amount of outstanding debt might have a negative impact on a credit score.
- Credit history length
This category accounts for about 15% of your total score. Your score is based on your performance in these area.
- In general, how long have your credit accounts been open: The score takes into account the oldest account’s age as well as the average age of all your accounts.
- How long have various credit accounts been open: Credit accounts with large credit cards and/or significant shops that have been used responsibly for a long time can improve your credit score. This is preferable to having a large number of accounts that are only active for a short time.
- When was the last time you utilized particular accounts: Using only a portion of your available credit demonstrates self-control and smart credit usage.
If you’re new to credit management, don’t open a lot of new accounts all at once. If you don’t have much additional credit information, new accounts lower your average account age, which has a stronger (negative) impact on your score.
- New credit
Taking on a lot of new debt has a negative impact on your credit score. New credit and credit applications account for about 10% of your total score. In the field of new credit, your score is based on the following factors:
- What is the total number of new accounts you have: The score considers how many new accounts you have by account type. It may also consider how many of your accounts are new.
- When was the last time you registered a new account: Again, the score considers this information in terms of account type.
- Time since lenders inquired about your credit report: It’s preferable if the lender inquiries are older. Inquiries that are older than a year are ignored. Ignorance is beneficial in this scenario.
- Credit types in usage
This category accounts for about 10% of your total score. The following criteria are taken into account while calculating your score in this area:
- You have the following types of credit accounts: Credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans, finance business accounts, and home loans all factor into your score. You are not required to have one of each.
- How many of each credit account type do you have: The total amount of accounts you have determines your score. Think about quality rather than quantity. Apply for credit accounts only if you’re sure you’ll need them, and utilize all sorts of credit wisely and responsibly.