What is a credit score?
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 credit report. Lenders have been
using credit scores as part of the lending decision for more than
30 years.
What factors influence my credit score?
Various factors determine your credit score, including the following:
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.