FICO Credit Scores: What Do They Mean?

Since our society is so automated, it should come as no surprise that your creditworthiness boils down to a single number. Credit reporting agencies use your payment history to compile this score.

The three reporting agencies use slightly different formulas to build a credit score. The original FICO model was developed by Fair Isaac and Company. While Experian still calls its score "FICO", TransUnion calls its score "Beacon" and Equifax uses "Empirica." While each of the models considers a range of data available in your credit report, the differences aren't huge; they all use the following in building your score:

• Credit History - Have you had credit for many years, or for a short time?
• Late Payments - Do you have any payments later than 30 days?
• Balances on your Credit Cards - How many accounts do you have? How much do you owe on your accounts?
• Credit Inquiries - How many times have you had your credit checked for a loan?

These factors are assigned weights based on the formula being used. The results are added up and distilled into a single number. Credit scores range from 300 to 800. Higher is always better. Most home buyers likely find their FICO scores falling between 620 and 800.

Credit scores make a difference in your interest rate

FICO scores affect more than your ability to get a loan. They also affect your interest rate. Lenders give lower interest rates to individuals with higher scores.

Can I improve my FICO score?

Is there any way to raise your credit score? Because the score is entirely based on your lifelong credit history, it's hard to make a significant change in the score with quick fixes. You should appeal for the credit agency to remove any incorrect reporting on your credit report; this is the only "quick fix" for credit troubles.

Getting your FICO score

To improve your FICO score, you've got to get the reports that the agencies use to build it. Of course, you need the score as well. Fair Isaac, the corporation that invented the original FICO score, offers FICO scores on its website: myFICO.com. It's inexpensive, fast, and easy to get your credit score as well as reports from all three reporting agencies. Also available are information and tools that help you analyze what actions might have the greatest impact on your FICO score.

You can get a federally-mandated free credit report every year from the three major credit reporting agencies by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. These reports do not include a free credit score, but it's very inexpensive to get one at the same time.

Now that you have all the facts, you'll be a more informed consumer and you'll be better positioned to obtain the right mortgage for you.

Curious about your FICO score? Call us at (707) 252-2700.