Understanding Your Credit Score

Your Credit Score is used by
anyone loaning you money. Credit card companies, home equity lenders, auto
loan lenders and finance companies all use a model created by Fair, Isaac
and Co, the San Rafael, California company that pioneered credit scoring 40
years ago and dominates the field today. This score is most often known as
FICO and serves as a snapshot of your credit history.

A low score can raise the price of your loan and a very
low score can mean denial of your loan completely. Here
are the approximate percentages that determine your FICO Score.

• Payment history (35%). The
  largest factor determined on your FICO score is your basic payment
  history. The number of unpaid bills you have, any bills sent to
  collection, bankruptcies etc... The more recent the problem, the lower
  your score.


• Outstanding Debt (30%). Are
  your cards maxed out? High balances or more precisely, balances that are
  close to your credit limit can negatively effect your score. Keep your
  balances below 30%.


• Length of your credit history (15%).
  How long have your accounts been open? The longer, the
  better.


• Recent inquiries (10%).
  Every time you apply for credit of any kind, you create an inquiry on
  your credit report. Lots of Inquiries negatively effect your score.
  


• Types of credit in use (10%).
  Current loans from finance companies. How many and how
  much.

Your score will range between 300 and 870. The
higher the better. As your score increases, your credit risk decreases.
Exact numbers differ by lending institution but the average high approval
score is 680 or above. Often times your score is taken from all three
credit reporting companies and the middle score or average score is
used.

Depending on the lending institution, your score can
cost you. Some lenders will charge a higher interest rate if your score is
below 600

When you apply for credit your score does not come
directly from FICO. Instead each bureau has its own version of the rating
system with its own name.

Equifax is called Beacon

Trans Union is Empirica

Experian is Experian/Fair Issac

A credit score of 680 or above can save you money,
especially for home loans. If you are considering a significant loan you
will want to be sure to check your credit reports first. If negative items
appear on your report you have two choices. Live with it for 7 to 10 years
or dispute these items. For more information on repairing bad credit Click
Here.