FICO Credit Scores: What Do They Mean?

Because our world is so computer-driven, you're probably not surprised to hear that your creditworthiness comes down to a single number. Credit reporting agencies use your payment history in order to build a FICO score.

TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian, the three major credit agencies, each have their own proprietary formula for building your credit score. The original FICO model was developed by Fair Isaac and Company. Experian uses this model and calls its score FICO. Equifax's model, based on FICO, is called BEACON, while TransUnion, which also uses a slightly modified FICO, calls its score EMPIRICA. While each of the models considers a range of data available in your credit report, each agency uses the following to build your score:

• Credit History - How long have you had credit?
• Payment History - Do you have any payments later than 30 days?
• Credit Card Balances - 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?

Each of these is assigned a value and a weight. Each formula produces a single number which may vary slightly from one agency to another. FICO scores can be as low as 300 and as high as 800. Higher scores are better. Most folks getting a mortgage score 620 or above.

Not just for qualifying

Did you know? FICO scores affect more than your ability to get a loan. They also affect your interest rate. Higher scores indicate you are a better credit risk, and thus may qualify for a better mortgage rate.

Raising your FICO score

How can you raise your FICO score? Some companies promise quick fixes, but they can't do anything different than what you can do — for free. (Of course you can and should have incorrect items removed from your credit report.)

Getting your credit score

Before you can improve your credit score, you must obtain your score and be sure that the reports from each credit reporting agency are correct. Fair Isaac, the company that offered the original FICO credit score, sells scores on myFICO.com. It's inexpensive, fast, and easy to get your credit score as well as credit reports from all three reporting agencies. They also provide information and online tools that can help you analyze what actions might have the greatest impact on your FICO score.

You can get a federally-mandated free credit report once a year from all three credit reporting agencies by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. While this report does not include a free credit score, the cost to "upgrade" your report to include a credit score is very reasonable.

Armed with this information, you'll be a more informed consumer and you'll be better positioned to obtain the most favorable mortgage.

Curious about credit scores? Call us at 866-300-1550.