Understanding Credit Scores: What They Are and How They’re Calculated

Credit scores have become integral to our lives in today’s financial landscape. These three-digit numbers hold immense power, influencing everything from loan approvals to rental applications and employment opportunities. Yet, for many, the inner workings of credit scores remain shrouded in mystery. 

This comprehensive guide will demystify credit scores, exploring what they are, how they’re calculated, and why they matter.

The Importance of Credit Scores:

Credit scores hold immense power in shaping our financial futures. Imagine finding your dream home, only to have your mortgage application denied due to a poor credit score, shattering your dreams. This scenario underscores the profound impact these three-digit numbers can have on our lives. Credit scores are a numerical representation of our creditworthiness – a measure of how likely we are to repay our debts on time. 

They serve as a risk assessment tool for lenders, landlords, and employers, influencing their decisions to do business with us. A high credit score can unlock opportunities, granting access to favourable interest rates, better loan terms, and more financial prospects. Conversely, a low score can lead to rejections, higher costs, and limited options, hindering our ability to achieve our goals.

This anecdote poignantly illustrates how a poor credit score can shatter dreams and aspirations, underscoring the critical importance of maintaining a strong credit profile. By understanding the weight these scores carry and adopting responsible financial habits, we can take control of our creditworthiness and pave the way for a brighter financial future.

Understanding How Credit Scores Are Calculated

Credit scores are calculated using complex statistical models that analyze your credit history and current credit situation. The most widely used scoring model is the FICO score, which ranges from 300 to 850. While the precise calculations are proprietary, the key factors that go into your FICO score are:

Payment History (35%)

Your payment history is the most influential factor in determining your credit score. It determines whether you have paid your credit accounts on time. Late payments, missed payments, accounts sent to collections, bankruptcies, and other derogatory marks will significantly lower your score in this category.

Consistently making all minimum payments on time is crucial for a good credit score.

Amounts Owed (30%)

This factor considers how much you owe across all your credit accounts compared to your total credit limits. It includes your credit utilization ratio and the percentage of available revolving credit (like credit cards) you use at any given time. Carrying high balances close to your limits can hurt this component of your score. 

Experts generally recommend keeping your overall credit utilization below 30%.

Length of Credit History (15%)

The scoring models like to see an established track record of responsible credit management over many years. A longer average age of your accounts benefits your score in this category. Opening lots of new accounts can shorten your average age of accounts and potentially hurt your score temporarily.

Credit Mix (10%)

This portion of the score looks at the variety of credit types you have, such as credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, etc. A mix of different types of credit can help in this area compared to having just one type of loan.

New Credit (10%)

The model considers your recent credit behaviour, such as applications for new credit. Opening several new credit accounts in a short period could be viewed as a higher risk and hurt this component of your score.

While these percentage weightings are general guidelines published by FICO, each factor’s exact calculations and importance can vary based on your credit profile and situation. Maintaining good credit habits like making on-time payments, keeping balances low, and applying for new credit sparingly is key to achieving an excellent credit score.

Examples of Good and Bad Credit:

Good Credit Habits:

• Paying all bills punctually, including credit card payments, loan instalments, and utility bills. Timely payments demonstrate financial responsibility and account for 35% of your FICO score.
• Maintaining a low credit utilization ratio by keeping credit card balances below 30% of the total credit limit. High utilization can signal overreliance on credit and negatively impact 30% of your score.
• You should regularly check credit reports from all three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) to identify and promptly resolve any inaccuracies or potential fraud.
• You have a diverse credit mix, such as credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, etc., as it demonstrates your ability to manage different types of credit responsibly, contributing 10% to your score.
• Keeping older credit accounts open, even if unused, as the length of credit history accounts for 15% of your FICO score calculation.

Bad Credit Habits:

Delinquency on payments, whether for credit cards, loans, or other bills, can severely damage your payment history and credit score.

• Maxing out credit cards or carrying high balances close to the credit limit can lead to a high credit utilization ratio and potential score drops.
• Applying for multiple new credit accounts quickly, as each hard inquiry can temporarily lower your score, and lenders may view it as a higher risk.
• Defaulting on loans or filing for bankruptcy can negatively impact your credit report and score for up to 10 years.
• Refrain from reviewing credit reports regularly to prevent fraudulent activities from going unnoticed, potentially harming our credit standing.

The Bottom Line:

By understanding the answers to these frequently asked questions, you can better understand credit scores and how to manage your credit profile effectively.