The credit scoring system was developed in the early 1950's. However, it was not widely utilized until the early 1980's, when it was overhauled by Fair, Isaac & Company. At that time the 3 major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian and Trans Union, worked with FICO to create three separate credit models, one for each bureau.
These agencies still use their own criteria to rate credit holders but the numbers have been normalized so that a credit score of 650 at Bureau A is equal to a credit score of 650 at Bureau B, etc.
All lenders use credit scores to determine interest rates and credit limits. Simply put, a credit score is a mathematical equation calculated by the review of a potential applicants credit history.
Your credit score is based on factors such as income, instances of late or missed payments, types of debt owed, number of credit inquiries on file and the percentage of available credit that is actually being used.
Credit scores generally range between 300 and 800. The average credit score lies somewhere between the 600 and 700 range.
Click here if you don't know what your Credit Score is.
As a rule, in order to receive a standard, lower cost loan a credit score of 620 or above is required. A high score indicates a low credit risk, meaning those with high credit scores find it very easy to obtain credit.
It is important that credit issuing companies indicate a credit holder's limit on their credit report. Failure to do so will usually result in a lower credit score.
This is due to the fact that most credit scoring models plug in the highest balance from another listed account, when a credit limit is missing. This is an action that causes it to look as though a greater percentage of an individual's total available credit is actually being used.
To avoid this type of situation, deal only with lenders who include this specific piece of information in their bureau reports.
There is a law which requires each of the three major credit bureaus to provide you with a no-cost credit report, once a year, should you request it. There is no such law pertaining to credit scores. Credit bureaus are allowed to charge consumers a "fair and reasonable" fee, for them.
There is an exception to the law above. Consumers are eligible for a no-cost credit score when applying for any type of home loan. As long as the mortgage lender uses a credit score when making an approval determination, he or she must supply that information to each applicant who requests it.
Don't know what your Credit Score is? Click here.
If you need to repair your credit or greatly reduce your debt, check out Howard Moreland's "My FREE Credit Repair" guide and sample letters Now!
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