how is a credit score calculated?

Your credit score is calculated using credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – the three major credit bureaus. Several factors affect your credit score including your payment history and how long you’ve had accounts.

There’s more than one credit score out there, but the one you’ve probably heard about the most is the FICO^® Score. Here are the five factors FICO uses to calculate your score and the weight of each:

1. 1. Payment history (35%) Have you made payments on time?
   2. Amounts owed (30%) How much of your available credit is used?
   3. Length of credit history (15%) How long have you had credit?
   4. New credit (10%) Are there a lot of credit inquiries and new account openings?
   5. Credit mix (10%) What kind of accounts do you have?

Source: ficoscore.com

how can I build up my credit score?

Your credit score comes from the information in your credit report. If you’re building positive credit history by making on-time payments and paying down account balances, over time your credit score can go up. To get started, we recommend checking your credit report to see where you stand. You’re entitled to one free report every year from each of the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Go to AnnualCreditReport.org to get started.

I’m not sure how to build credit, can you help?

We are happy to help and we’re so glad you’re here. Just by reading these FAQs you’ve already taken a big first step in learning how to build credit. Now, on to building credit. It’s as simple as opening a credit card or account, using it to make a small purchase or two, then paying off your account balance by making the minimum (or more) monthly payments on time. After a couple of months or so, your credit account will show up on your credit report and so will your payments.

how do I start establishing credit?

If you don’t have any credit history, it’s never too early (or late) to start establishing credit for your future. Try applying for credit with a department store in your town or with an online retailer. Other options include a secured credit card or loan. Whichever of these options you choose, the most important thing is to make sure your monthly payments are on time.

I want to know how to build credit fast, is there a shortcut?

If you’re just starting out and don’t have any credit, it will take time to build it. If you’ve had credit challenges in the past, it’ll take time too, since you’ll be rebuilding your credit. There is no quick fix or shortcut, but there is good news. As long as you’re taking steps in the right direction – like making your payments on time every month and paying down balances on your credit accounts – you’ll be building credit history. It may not be as fast as you’d like, but before you know it, you’ll see your progress in your credit report.

what is the best way to build credit?

The best way to build credit is by using it responsibly. That means making monthly payments on time, every time for credit cards, car loans, home loans and any of your other credit accounts. Also, keep the balances low on any of your revolving credit accounts. Last but not least, don’t apply for more credit than you need. It can be too tempting to use it when you don’t need it.

what are some ways to improve credit?

Keep making on-time monthly payments on all of your credit accounts. The positive history you have on those accounts stays on your credit record as long as they’re open. Why is that important? Your payment history can be up to 35% of your credit score. Another way is to pay down the balances on your credit accounts. The amount of available credit you use can count for up to 30% of your credit score.