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What is a
Credit Score. What factors Influence Credit Scores?
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What is a credit score?
A
credit score is a sum used by lenders as an indicator of how likely you
are to repay your loans. Your
credit score is generated by a mathematical formula utilizing the data
from your TransUnion, Equifax or Experian credit reports. Lenders have been
using credit scores as part of the lending decision for over than 20 years.
What factors influence my credit score?
Various factors determine your
credit score, including the following:
- Payment History
- Outstanding debt
- Length of credit history
- Severity and frequency of derogatory credit information such as
bankruptcies, charge-offs, and collections
- The amount of credit used compared to the credit available
How does my credit score affect me?
Your
credit score is an important indicator of your financial health. Lenders
use your credit score to determine:
- Whether or not you are a good candidate for a loan
- What type of interest rate you will pay
While your
credit score is a key determinant of your creditworthiness, lenders also
examine the information on your
credit report and your loan application. Regularly checking your
credit report enables you to:
- Be informed of the most up-to-date information in your
credit history.
- Correct any inaccuracies, to make sure that your credit data is a true
depiction of your
credit record and increasing your chances of receiving credit under
the best possible terms
What is a "good" credit score?
There are several types of
credit scores available. Typically, the higher the score, the better.
Each lender decides what credit score range it considers to be a good credit
risk or a poor credit risk. For this reason, the lender is the best source
to explain what your credit score means in relation to the final credit
decision. After all, they determine the criteria used to extend credit. The
credit score is only one component of information evaluated by lenders.
What is credit scoring?
Credit scoring is a method used by lenders to help decide whether or not you
are a good candidate for a loan.
Lenders employ a credit scoring system to determine your credit score:
- Compares information in your
credit report to the performance of consumers who have similar credit
characteristics
- Examines many credit characteristics including your payment history,
the number and kind of accounts you have, the number and frequency of late
payments, and any collections or bankruptcies
Generally speaking, positive credit characteristics make your score
higher and help you to qualify for better loans. Negative characteristics
make your score lower and may interfere with your ability to qualify for the
best loan terms.
How is a credit scoring model developed?
A lender creates a credit scoring model by using several criteria:
- Selecting a large sampling of customers
- Analyzing the data in their
credit reports to determine which factors relate to creditworthiness
- Assigning a degree of importance to each of the factors, based on how
accurate a predictor it is in determining who will repay their loan on
time
Get your credit report and score NOW!
Credit Information Center:
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Top 5 myths about your credit scores and credit reports.
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