FICO scoring is a system that lenders and underwriters use to determine what your interest rate on a loan is going to be. If you buy a house or car, the mortgage or the loan is determined by you credit report and your FICO score.
That score is based on the FICO model and the interest you pay, as well as your monthly payment, is based on what your personal credit score number is.
The same is true when you get a car loan, as well as the premium on your car insurance or homeowners insurance. Your personal credit score can even affect your chances of getting new employment.
The different methods used to determine your FICO score can be divided into about five different categories.
In each category, we will include a percentage that reflects the importance of each when determining personal credit and calculating a score.
History of Payment (35%)
Payment history is the biggest factor in determining your FICO score. How many late payment or bankruptcies you have can hurt you significantly and the more recent the negative activity, the worse the score will be.
Outstanding Debt (30%)
Your debt is determined by how much of a revolving line of credit you are currently using. If you have a CC with a credit limit of $100,000, the ideal place to be is a balance of $40,000. This sounds odd but $40,000 shows that you are using credit but that you are keeping it well within your means. Same goes for a car loan. Pay off 60% as fast as you can.
Length of your credit history (15%)
How long have your accounts been open? High loan amounts that you have paid as agreed and have had open a long time work best. Closing old accounts can have a negative affect because it makes your credit history appear shorter.
Inquiries (10%)
Every time you apply for any kind of credit you create an inquiry on your credit report. A lot of inquiries negatively affect your credit score. However, ordering a copy and checking your own credit report or personal credit score counts as a soft inquiry and does not go against your score.
Type of Credit (10%)
Is your credit from a car loan or a mortgage? If it is a mortgage, how much do you currently owe compared to the original amount loaned. How many accounts are open. It is not always beneficial to open a new account to receive more available cred
