Banks use credit scores from major bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and illion (Australia), or FICO/VantageScore (US), which summarise your credit history to assess risk, using information like past debt, payment history, and credit limits to predict loan repayment ability, with higher scores indicating lower risk. Different agencies calculate scores differently (e.g., Equifax 0-1200, others 0-1000), but lenders can check any or all to see your creditworthiness, influencing loan approvals and rates.
One of the main reasons not to overfocus on a single score is that you generally won't know which score a lender will use to make a decision. Many lenders use a credit score from FICO or VantageScore® , but both of those companies offer multiple types of scores.
Yes, a 700 credit score puts you in the "good" to "very good" range, making it very possible to get a $50,000 loan, though approval and rates depend on income, debt, and lender; you'll likely qualify for better terms than someone with a lower score, but still might not get the absolute best rates compared to scores over 740. Focus on lenders like online platforms or credit unions for better options, and pre-qualify with multiple lenders to compare offers without hurting your score, as lenders also check income and debt-to-income ratio.
Looking at Equifax credit scores, a score between 661 and 734 is considered 'good', a score between 735 to 852 is 'very good', and if your score is above 853 it's viewed as 'excellent'.
Generally speaking, negative information such as late or missed payments, accounts that have been sent to collection agencies, accounts not being paid as agreed, or bankruptcies stays on credit reports for approximately seven years.
However, transitioning from fair to good credit (700-749) might take a few additional years of responsible credit behavior. Reaching an excellent credit score (750 and above) is generally a long-term goal and may require at least five to ten years of consistently responsible credit habits.
The 2-2-2 credit rule is a guideline lenders use to assess a borrower's creditworthiness, requiring two active revolving credit accounts, open for at least two years, with a history of on-time payments for those two consecutive years, often with a minimum limit of $2,000 per account, to show financial stability for larger loans like mortgages. It demonstrates you can handle multiple credit lines responsibly, not just have a good score, building lender confidence.
Yes, a 700 credit score puts you in the "good" to "very good" range, making it very possible to get a $50,000 loan, though approval and rates depend on income, debt, and lender; you'll likely qualify for better terms than someone with a lower score, but still might not get the absolute best rates compared to scores over 740. Focus on lenders like online platforms or credit unions for better options, and pre-qualify with multiple lenders to compare offers without hurting your score, as lenders also check income and debt-to-income ratio.
For most people, increasing a credit score by 100 points in a month isn't going to happen. But if you pay your bills on time, eliminate your consumer debt, don't run large balances on your cards and maintain a mix of both consumer and secured borrowing, an increase in your credit could happen within months.
For a $10,000 loan, you generally need a credit score of 580 or higher, but a score in the 640+ range offers better options and terms, with scores in the 700s securing the best rates; while some lenders approve lower scores (even below 550) for smaller amounts, higher scores show lower risk, leading to better interest rates for your $10k loan.
High-income professionals with strong credit histories are more likely to be approved. This includes: A “good” to “excellent” credit score—the typical $200K loan credit score is 700 and above. Some lenders may approve scores in the 660 to 699 range, but with less favorable terms.
Quick Answer
You can negotiate a lower interest rate on your credit card by calling your credit card issuer and asking for a rate reduction. While the issuer isn't guaranteed to say yes, you're most likely to find success if you have a history of on-time payments and your credit score is good or has recently increased.
To qualify for a $30,000 car loan, most lenders prefer to see a credit score of at least 660 to 700. That being said, your credit score is only one part of the equation. Lenders will also consider: Your debt-to-income ratio (how much you owe compared to how much you earn)
The credit limit you can expect for a $75,000 salary across all your credit cards could be as much as $15000 to $22500, or even higher in some cases, according to our research. The exact amount depends heavily on multiple factors, like your credit score and how many credit lines you have open.
Ways to improve your credit score
The "15" and "3" refer to the days before your credit card statement's closing date. Specifically, the rule suggests you make one payment 15 days before your statement closes and another payment three days before it closes.
Paying off revolving debt typically increases your credit score in one to two months. Paying off installment debt can cause a temporary dip in your credit score, but scores should bounce back in a few months.
The time it takes to raise your credit score from 500 to 700 can vary widely depending on your individual financial situation. On average, it may take anywhere from 12 to 24 months of responsible credit management, including timely payments and reducing debt, to see a significant improvement in your credit score.
Yes, though rare, it is possible to have a 900 credit score. It represents exceptional creditworthiness and is a result of long-term financial discipline. An individual with this score has never missed a bill payment or defaulted on a loan and has consistently maintained their debt-to-income ratio.
A 524 credit score is not considered good according to some major credit scoring models. Lower credit scores may indicate higher risk for lenders, so this could lead to denial of credit or higher interest rates or less favorable terms if you do get approved.
While the exact range for a bad credit score in Australia can depend on the credit scoring model, usually a score between the range of 300-550 is considered a bad credit score.
There are possibly some benefits of making multiple credit card payments. Under certain circumstances it can improve your credit score and overall financial wellness to pay your credit card bill off in smaller amounts as long as those payments add up to the full statement balance by the time that balance is due.
Here are some ways you can pay off your mortgage faster: