The credit rating method used by 90% of lenders is the Fair Isaac Corporation method, commonly referred to as the FICO method. Credit scores using this method range from 300 to 850, with the higher scores being the better scores. FICO reports that the median credit score in America is 723.
FICO scores are determined based on five categories of information contained in your credit reports.
Your Payment Record - 35%
The most important factor in the credit rating method is your payment record. A full 35% of your credit score is based on how well and how timely you make your payments. Included in this category are late pays, collections, charge offs, and bankruptcies. The more current any derogatory information in your file is, the worse lenders view it. Even the worst things that affect your credit get better with age.
Outstanding Debt - 30%
The next biggest factor in the credit rating method, is how much debt you are carrying. Credit card debt is particularly scrutinized because cards are the easiest to get in trouble with. If you have one or two cards that are "maxed out", your credit scores will probably be much lower. Better to spread your balances over a few cards than to max any of them out. If possible, keep balances on all your cards at 30% of the high limit or less.
Length of Credit History - 15%
The longer you have had credit established, the more favorably you are viewed by lenders. A long credit history gives a lender more information in which to gauge your future actions.
Inquires - 10%
Inquires account for 10% of the credit rating method, and is probably the least understood. Each time you apply for credit, insurance, a rental, or employment, there is a good chance a credit report will be pulled. This is called a hard inquiry, and is recorded in your credit report. Lenders look hard at these inquires, especially if they have occurred in the last six months.
Lenders won't get too concerned if you have no more than 10 hard inquiries in your credit report, spread out over several months. But if you suddenly have 8 to 10 inquires in a short period of time, they tend to get nervous. The exception to this is when several inquires show up that indicate you are shopping for a particular type of loan, such as an auto loan or a mortgage. It should be obvious that you are only looking for one such loan. Inquires can stay on your credit report for 2 to 3 years.
Lenders often times pull a mini version of your credit report for a promotional offer. These are called a soft inquiry and are not reported. Likewise, when you request a copy of your own credit report, that also is called an inquiry but it does not show on your credit report either.
Different Types of Credit You Have - 10%
A credit file containing a mortgage, auto loan, bank loan, and two or three credit cards tells lenders that you have the capability of managing different kinds of debt. This variety of debt will add to your credit score. If your credit history only shows a few credit cards, even though your payment history was perfect on them, your scores will be less.
Understanding how the credit rating method works should help you manage your credit scores better. With proper management, you could easily be at the median credit score of 723 or better.
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