FICO scoring is a system that lenders and underwriters use to determine what your interest rate on a loan is going to be. If you buy a house or car, the mortgage or the loan is determined by you credit report and your FICO score.
The score is based on the system developed by Fair Isaac Company (FICO) and the interest you pay, as well as monthly payments that are based on your personal credit history and score as well.
Just as with a car loan or house loan, you FICO score determines your interest rate. Something most people do not know however, is that a FICO score can also affect your chance of finding new employment, which is increasingly important in the current economy.
The different methods used to determine your FICO score can be divided into about five different categories.
In each category, we will include a percentage that reflects the importance of each when determining personal credit and calculating a score.
History (35%)
Your payment history is the largest factor in determining FICO scoring. This includes the number of unpaid bills you have, any bills sent to collection, bankruptcies etc. The more recent the problem, the lower your score.
Debt (30%)
How much of the total credit line is being used on credit cards and other revolving charges? High balances or more precisely, balances that are close to your credit limit can negatively affect your credit score. Most lenders think 40%-60% of maximum is ideal.
History of Credit (15%)
This was a surprise to me. If you have a car loan, and you pay it off immediately, it is not as good as if you have a car loan drawn out for a long period of time and you make payments regularly. However, keep in mind that the difference you pay in interest may not be worth the higher FICO score.
Inquiries (10%)
Whenever you apply for credit, there is always an inquiry on your report and they will negatively affect your score. Some inquires are considered soft pulls of credit. A soft inquiry would be checking your personal credit or your report. Some insurance companies will do a soft pull also so as to not harm your report.
Type of Credit (10%)
How much is your current amount on your loan in comparison to the original amount due? Is that amount for a car loan or a mortgage? This is what is meant by type. Also, how many account do you have open? If you have three accounts already open, it would probably not be wise to add another line of credit just to get a higher limit. This will hurt this category more than it will help your credit/debt ratio.