Ganesh Gade’s Post

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Senior Subject Matter Expert@Infosys BPM | Secondary Marketing Specialist | Capital Market Operations | Certified Residential Underwriter | Mortgage Backed Securities | US Mortgage |

#Credit Score - Let's decode this: A credit score is a numerical representation of a person’s creditworthiness, which lenders use to determine the risk of lending money or offering credit. It ranges typically between 300 and 850, with higher scores indicating lower risk. Credit scores are based on an individual’s credit history, which includes borrowing habits, payment history, and the length of time credit accounts have been open. #Key Components of a Credit Score: 1. Payment History (35%): - This is the most important factor in a credit score. - It includes whether past credit payments were made on time, and it looks for any late or missed payments, bankruptcies, and collection items. 2. Credit Utilization (30%): - This refers to the amount of credit you're using compared to your credit limits. - It’s recommended to keep credit card balances below **30%** of the total available credit to maintain a healthy score. 3. Length of Credit History (15%): - Lenders prefer individuals who have longer credit histories. - This factor looks at the age of your oldest account, your newest account, and the average age of all your credit accounts. 4. Credit Mix (10%): - A diverse mix of credit types (credit cards, installment loans, mortgages) is beneficial. - Having a mix shows that you can manage different types of credit responsibly. 5. New Credit Inquiries (10%): - Opening many new credit accounts in a short time can signal financial distress and may lower your score. - Hard inquiries, which happen when you apply for credit, stay on your credit report for up to two years but only affect the score for about 12 months. #Credit Score Ranges: -Excellent (800-850): Almost guaranteed approval for credit products with the best interest rates. -Very Good (740-799): Likely approved for most credit with competitive rates. -Good (670-739): Generally favorable terms but not the best available rates. -Fair (580-669): May get approved, but typically at higher interest rates. -Poor (300-579): Likely to be denied for credit, or approved for high-interest, low-limit products. #Credit Score Models: There are two main credit score models: 1. FICO Score: Created by the Fair Isaac Corporation, it's the most commonly used credit score model by lenders. 2. VantageScore: Developed by the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), it offers a similar scoring range but weighs factors slightly differently. #How to Improve Your Credit Score: 1)Pay bills on time: This is the single most important factor. Reduce debt: Pay down credit card balances and keep your credit utilization low. 2)Avoid opening too many new accounts: Each application can result in a hard inquiry. 3)Check your credit report regularly: Look for errors and dispute any inaccuracies with the credit bureaus. Credit scores are essential because they affect the interest rates on loans, approval for mortgages, apartment rentals, and even job prospects.

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