The Role of Credit Scores in Loan Applications

Your credit score is used by companies deciding whether to lend you money, including mortgages, loans and credit cards. It is also used for tenant screening and some types of insurance. A credit score translates your financial history into an easy-to-read number—credit scores factor in your debt utilization, payment history and the length of your credit history.

Understanding Credit Scores

A credit score is a three-digit number based on an analysis of your credit report. It reveals your likelihood of repaying debts, including MaxLend installment loans, mortgages, and credit card balances. A good credit score shows that you manage money responsibly, pay off your debts on time and maintain low balances on your revolving accounts like credit cards.

It also factors in the types of credit accounts you have and your length of credit history. Credit scoring models may include different weights for these areas. A lender will use your credit score to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for a loan and the terms of that loan, including the interest rate. Other businesses like service providers, utility companies and rental property owners may check your credit score when determining the size of an initial deposit or your eligibility for services or a rental apartment.

How Does a Credit Score Work?

Many credit scoring models look at various factors when determining your score. The most common ones are payment history, the total amount you owe (called credit utilization), the types of accounts and whether new accounts have been opened recently. In general, timely bill payments and a lack of additional debt might help your score rise. However, different scoring systems put varying levels of emphasis on each factor.

For instance, some scoring systems may consider the type of account when assessing your risk – such as revolving debt, installment loans or home equity lines of credit – and assign a lower weight to mortgages than credit cards. Other scores place greater importance on the length of your credit history and the number of new inquiries. In addition, lenders often customize their credit scores by focusing on specific factors, such as their lending criteria.

How Can I Improve My Credit Score?

A few actions will help you raise your credit score. Pay attention to paying your expenses on time first. One of the major reasons that might harm your credit score is making late payments. Second, avoid using all of your credit cards. Using more than 35% of your available credit can negatively impact your credit score. Finally, try to reduce the number of new accounts you open.

Each new account requires the lender or card issuer to make a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can ding your score. A strong credit score can be an advantage to qualifying for MaxLend loans and getting more favorable interest rates. But it takes time to have a strong credit history, so get started early and work toward your objective before requesting mortgages, auto loans, or student loans. Also, consider taking out small personal loans that can be paid off quickly to help increase your credit score.

How To Get a Free Credit Score?

Checking your credit score is a powerful step in determining your credit health. Lenders in the financing industry assess your loan applications using the same reporting data that determines your credit scores based on information in your credit report.

The most common factors in a credit score include your credit utilization rate, the amount you owe and how long you’ve had an account. Lenders also consider your employment history and assets. Sometimes, a lender may ask for proof of income, such as pay stubs or bank statements, as well as investment documents like 401(k) and IRA accounts, especially with subprime lenders.