Is the FICO Score an I love debt score?
Remember, when it all comes down to it, a credit score is really just an “I love debt” score. That's right, a “good score” simply shows how well you've played the debt game. It doesn't reflect your actual net worth or the amount of money you have in the bank. In other words, it's really nothing to be proud of.
Dave Ramsey Says Credit Scores Are Just 'I Love Debt Ratings' And Insists They Are In No Way An Indication Of Wealth — 'Our Culture Worships At The Altar Of The FICO Score'
Your FICO score is a number typically on a 300 to 850 range used by lenders to determine your ability to pay back borrowed debt. FICO defines a good credit score as 670 to 739. Payment history and amounts owed are the two biggest factors that impact your FICO score.
"For years, there has been a lot of confusion among consumers over which credit scores matter. While there are many types of credit scores, FICO Scores matter the most because the majority of lenders use these scores to decide whether to approve loan applicants and at what interest rates."
The most accurate credit scores are the latest versions of the FICO Score and VantageScore credit-scoring models: FICO Score 9/10 and VantageScore 3.0/4.0. It is important to check a reputable, accurate credit score because there are more than 1,000 different types of credit scores floating around.
Is "credit score" the same as "FICO® score"? Basically, "credit score" and "FICO® score" are all referring to the same thing. A FICO® score is a type of credit scoring model. While different reporting agencies may weigh factors slightly differently, they are all essentially measuring the same thing.
FICO says its scores are used in 90% of lending decisions in the U.S, so knowing your FICO score will give you a better idea of whether you'll qualify for a loan or line of credit.
While most lenders use the FICO Score 8, mortgage lenders use the following scores: Experian: FICO Score 2, or Fair Isaac Risk Model v2. Equifax: FICO Score 5, or Equifax Beacon 5. TransUnion: FICO Score 4, or TransUnion FICO Risk Score 04.
The most commonly used FICO Score in the mortgage-lending industry is the FICO Score 5. According to FICO, the majority of lenders pull credit histories from all three major credit reporting agencies as they evaluate mortgage applications. Mortgage lenders may also use FICO Score 2 or FICO Score 4 in their decisions.
Although VantageScore's system is accurate, it's not the industry standard. Credit Karma works fine for the average consumer, but the companies that will approve or deny your application are more likely to look at your FICO score.
What is a good credit score to buy a house?
It's recommended you have a credit score of 620 or higher when you apply for a conventional loan. If your score is below 620, lenders either won't be able to approve your loan or may be required to offer you a higher interest rate, which can result in higher monthly mortgage payments.
Each credit scoring model has its own formula that may take into account different factors of your credit report. And each scoring model weighs different credit factors slightly differently. When you apply for a financial product the lender may be looking at different credit factors to make a lending decision.
A target credit score of 661 or above should get you a new-car loan with an annual percentage rate of around 7.01% or better, or a used-car loan around 9.73% or lower. Superprime: 781-850.
| Average FICO 8 Score by Generation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Generation | 2022 | 2023 |
| Generation Z (ages 18-26) | 679 - Good | 680 - Good |
| Millennials (27-42) | 687 - Good | 690 - Good |
| Generation X (43-58) | 707 - Good | 709 - Good |
Only 1.31% of Americans with a FICO® Score have a perfect 850 credit score. While a score this high is rare among any demographic, older generations are more likely to have perfect credit. Baby boomers make up a whopping 59.4% of the people with an 850 credit score.
FICO 8 scores range between 300 and 850. A FICO score of at least 700 is considered a good score.
Key Takeaways. A credit score is a three-digit number that measures your financial health and how well you manage credit and debt. FICO scores are a specific type of score that lenders can use when making borrowing decisions. The FICO credit scoring system is the most widely used credit score.
FICO scores are generally known to be the most widely used by lenders. But the credit-scoring model used may vary by lender. While FICO Score 8 is the most common, mortgage lenders might use FICO Score 2, 4 or 5. Auto lenders often use one of the FICO Auto Scores.
Reduce the amount of debt you owe
Pay off debt rather than moving it around: the most effective way to improve your credit scores in this area is by paying down your revolving (credit card) debt. In fact, owing the same amount but having fewer open accounts may lower your scores.
First, there's Credit Karma, where you can get your free VantageScore 3.0 credit scores from TransUnion and Equifax. VantageScore is a different scoring model than FICO, but is still a good way to gauge your credit standing.
How often should you check your FICO score?
By checking at least a few months in advance, it can also give you time to address anything that could be hurting your credit score. It's also a good idea to check your credit report at least once a year.
Various weighted factors mean that even with no credit, your credit score could still be low because the length of your credit history or credit mix, for example, could also be low.
Having no credit card debt isn't bad for your credit scores, but you do need to maintain open and active credit accounts to have the best scores. By using your credit cards and paying the balances off monthly (so that you carry no debt), you could achieve an excellent credit score.
According to Ramsey, a credit score is really an "I love debt" score. He's against credit scores because he believes they're tied to being in debt. To make his point, he shares misleading information about what goes into a credit score, with the names of the scoring criteria conveniently changed.
The score range for the Auto Score is 250-900 (instead of the traditional 300-850). FICO promotes that Auto Score will help dealerships and lending institutions in five distinct ways: Increase regulatory compliance.
