|
Your Credit Score Explained
12 Jul 2008 How your credit score is calculated Credit score information allows lenders to gauge a credit applicant to see if he or she is worth the risk of availing credit. After all, credit institutions are a business and need to profit from their investments in terms of lending their money resources. It is sensible business practice that they try to lend it to people who are responsible enough to pay them back later. Lenders and credit institutions try to assess each credit application by looking at the applicant’s credit score information. Through it, these institutions will be able to determine if an applicant is worth the risk. The credit score is obtained from information based on the past credit activities of the applicant as well as other related information. All these can be found on the applicant’s credit report. Your Credit Score A credit score is calculated using the various information contained in the credit report. Different factors come into play when a credit score is calculated. A designed formula is used by credit reporting agencies to come up with the credit score. The formula takes into account the information from the credit report, both good and bad, to come up with the appropriate score. In order for this score to be calculated, the credit report must have, as a minimum, one account which is at least six months old & one that has been updated for the same period. This will ensure that there is enough recent information in the credit report from which to base the calculation. Payment History Payment history accounts for about 35 percent of the credit score. This includes payments made on time as well as late payments. Public records can find their way into the credit report such as late or non- payments, bankruptcies, lawsuits, etc. These all may be considered when computing the credit score. Amount of outstanding credit The amount of credit that you have availed in the past accounts for about 30 percent of the credit score. Not only is the total amount looked upon but also the amount borrowed from different accounts. The balances on certain accounts may also affect the credit score. Maintaining a small balance for example, will have a positive effect on the credit report and may help keep your credit score up. Credit History The length of your credit history accounts for 15 percent of your credit score. Your oldest account and the average age of your other accounts are taken into consideration when calculating your credit score. Also considered is the length of time that has passed since you have used certain accounts. The number of new credits availed accounts for about 10 percent of your credit score. This includes the length of time that has passed since you have opened a new account. The number of credit requests in a one year period is also considered. The various types of credit that you have availed accounts for 10 percent of the information that goes into the calculation of the credit report. Revolving credit, such as credit card debts and personal loans or mortgages, is also taken into account. Conclusion The formula used by the different credit reporting agencies in calculating your credit score do vary slightly from company to company but they all follow a very similar process. Jo Jude |
|