Credit Information

Getting Your Credit Report and Understanding Whats On It


If you intend to apply for a loan, you need to obtain your credit score. Understanding what this score means will allow you to make the loan process easier and quicker. Let's face it; most people want the loan process to be as painless as possible. Obtaining and understanding your credit score will help you see potential problems and perhaps eliminate them before you begin the loan process.

There are three different Credit Bureaus from which you can obtain your credit score. These are Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. Each of these companies applies a different formula in figuring your credit rating, though these formulas are weighted so a score from one company is equivalent to the same number score from the others. Because these three firms coordinate their credit rating system through the Fair Isaac Company, the credit score is known as a FICO score. Particular loan companies might look at your salary or the stability of your current employment, but the FICO score usually provides a good understanding of a person's credit standing.

Your FICO score is based on your credit report, which is a combination of your current credit accounts and your long term credit history. The past two years is by far the most important part of your credit history. Usually, a bad spot on your credit record will disappear once the twenty-four month window has closes on it. Your credit rating can range anywhere from 375 to 900, but most scores are in the 600-700 range.

650 or more. This is considered the magic number, and if you score 650 or higher, then you have excellent credit. If your credit rating is 650 or above, acquiring loans should be relatively easy and your interest rates should be to your liking.

Between 620 and 650. This is where most people stand and means you will be able to obtain reasonable loans and rates of interest, though the process might be a little slower and you might have to answer a few more questions.

Below 620. This doesn't mean you cannot get a loan. But it does mean the loan process will be longer, less pleasant and with more strings attached. Understanding this fact about your credit score will help prepare you when obtaining a loan.

If you find a discrepancy in a credit report, you need to address your concern to the appropriate credit bureau. If you can give a reasonable explanation for the mistake or, better yet, if you can provide documentation to contradict the discrepancy, you can have your credit report changed. Usually, all three credit bureaus will not make the same mistake and your FICO score will be correct. I would suggest not inquiring about your credit score too often, because each inquiry goes on your credit record and the appearance of concern can affect your credit score.

Finally, remember that the number of the FICO score is not important in itself. Each creditor will have different credit rating cutoffs, so a firm understanding of your potential creditor's credit score guidelines will help you understand the real implications of your credit score.

You can read more about credit and debt issues at the Debt Consolidation Blog.


MORE RESOURCES:

Boston Globe

US August consumer credit falls by $7.88 billion, first decline in ...
Forbes, NY - 11 hours ago
WASHINGTON (Thomson Financial) - Americans unexpectedly decreased their credit borrowing for the first time in more than ten years, mostly cutting back on ...
Video: Bernanke signals possible rate cut ReutersVideo
Stocks down despite government moves to free up credit Bizjournals.com
Consumers Trim Their Borrowing Wall Street Journal
Bloomberg - Reuters
all 1,577 news articles


Boston Globe

Credit cards next in line for tightening
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - 16 hours ago
By MARK GONGLOFF As consumers watch their wealth disappear in the markets, some are also at risk of losing one of their last spending lifelines: credit ...
Video: Stocks Fluctuate After Fed Corporate Debt Plan AssociatedPress
Economy is looking weaker Detroit Free Press
Fear gripping Wall Street Minneapolis Star Tribune
Philadelphia Inquirer - Kansas City Star
all 2,563 news articles


US consumer credit posts worst drop ever
National Post, Canada - 8 hours ago
US consumer credit plummeted by US$7.9-billion dollars in August - its sharpest drop on record, US Federal Reserve figures showed Tuesday. ...
US consumer credit declines for first time in over decade Xinhua
Consumer Credit Drops for First Time in 10 Years Wall Street Journal Blogs
US Consumer Credit Dropped by the Most on Record (Update1) Bloomberg
Reuters - CNNMoney.com
all 230 news articles


Reuters

Credit crunch could close 700 auto dealerships
Detroit Free Press, United States - 48 minutes ago
"The rescue plan is designed to free up credit markets," she said in a Detroit speech sponsored by the Automotive Press Association. ...
With Credit Drying Up, Car Buyers Bring Cash New York Times
Credit crunch hits auto market's weak link Reuters
Auto dealers looking for the end of the credit crisis tunnel Crain's Detroit Business
DetNews.com - BusinessWeek
all 93 news articles


Reuters

Former AIG CEOs back credit default swap regulation
Reuters - 14 hours ago
N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said they would back regulation of the credit default swaps market in testimony at the US House Oversight and ...
Unregulated swaps hastened Wall Street collapse The Associated Press
New York insurance regulator calls for regulation of credit ... Canadian Underwriter
Greenberg Says Federal Loan to AIG Is Bad Deal Wall Street Journal
New York Times Blogs - Indian Express
all 284 news articles


Thanh Nien Daily

Libor for Overnight Dollar Loans Jumps as Credit Freeze Deepens
Bloomberg - 15 hours ago
The seizure in global credit markets is deepening on speculation central bank attempts to revive lending between financial institutions won't work, ...
Credit gears of commerce are still jammed Houston Chronicle
Is this really bad? Stuff.co.nz
Credit markets still tight as stocks plunge The Associated Press
istockAnalyst.com (press release) - The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com
all 479 news articles


Boston Globe

Fed's new arsenal firing blanks
Globe and Mail, Canada - 1 hour ago
"The Fed, for the first time in history, is now the lender of last resort to the business and government communities, taking on more credit risk than ever ...
Investors expect volatility as credit woes persist The Associated Press
Doomsday warnings of credit collapse are lies San Francisco Chronicle
A Better Bailout City Journal
USA Today - Barron's
all 270 news articles


HedgeWeek

CME, Citadel working together on credit default swaps
Chicago Sun-Times, United States - 12 hours ago
CME Group Inc. and hedge fund Citadel Investment Group LLC plan a venture to compete with Chicago-based Clearing Corp. to guarantee credit default swaps in ...
CME Group and Citadel to Launch the First Integrated Credit ... MarketWatch
Citadel, CME add platform for swaps Chicago Tribune
CME, Citadel Plan CDS Exchange Forbes
Medill Reports - Bloomberg
all 41 news articles


Crude Oil Falls to 8-Month Low on Demand Slump, Credit Turmoil
Bloomberg - 31 minutes ago
7 as global stock markets tumbled on concern the credit crisis will topple more banks and slowing growth will cut demand. US gasoline demand dropped 9.5 ...


Corporate America Credit Union and FIMAC Reach Agreement to Offer ...
MarketWatch - 10 hours ago
Based in Birmingham, Alabama, CACU has over $1.4 billion in assets, and serves the financial needs of 174 member credit unions. ...

Credit - Google News

Good Credit Loans | home | site map | School Bus Clothing | Florida Pool Heating
© 2006