Understanding how this score affects your financial life is critical, but it doesn’t take much time to learn the basics and even start correcting a bad score. Information on how credit scores are calculated and what lenders look for when you apply for credit is further down in this article. But first, here are some easy steps you can take towards a better credit score:

• Make payments on time: This is one of the most important actions you can take. Take advantage of phone or electronic bill payment capabilities. If you don’t like the idea of automatic payments, you can still schedule payments in advance using First Reliance Bank’s free BillPay service. That way, you can control the amount and date of each payment.
• Don’t “max out” your credit cards: Overall, keep your balances on credit cards low. Try not to use more than 50% of your credit card limit. For example, if your credit limit is $2,000, don’t charge more than $1,000 before making a payment. Using even less is better. Lenders want to see that you can effectively manage credit and that you don’t constantly “max out” your limit.
• Don’t jump from one credit card to another: Among other factors, lenders consider how long you maintain your lines of credit. Opening new cards can lower the average age of your accounts, which can lower your credit score. Carry a few cards that provide the benefits you seek. Only take a new card if it offers a truly unique benefit that works for you.
• Don’t create a lot of new debt at one time: For example, don’t open several new credit cards in a month.
• Don’t open a credit card at a retailer just to get a discount on a one-time purchase: These cards can negatively affect your credit score by adding to the number of times you have applied for credit, lowering the average age of your accounts, and adding another line of credit to your credit report. A lower credit score can cost you a lot more than the few dollars you will save at that moment!

What Makes Up a Credit Score?

Credit scores are calculated using a mathematical formula that evaluates the information in consumers’ credit reports. The formula statistically compares your information to the past patterns of millions of other consumer credit files. Your score is a number that reflects your credit risk to lenders. A higher number or score indicates lower risk; a lower number or score indicates a higher risk. When you apply for credit, lenders (including those “apply here” retail card offers) use credit scores to quickly summarize your credit history, and to help them determine how likely you are to repay on time and according to terms. Your score is based on information in your credit report, including:

• Your payment history
• How much money you currently owe
• How long your accounts have been open
• What type of credit you use
• How much credit you used compared to the amount of credit you have available
• How often and how recently you’ve applied for credit

There are many different credit scores used in the financial services industry, so your score may be different from lender to lender. Also, lenders use these scores differently, so your credit application might be approved by one lender but rejected by another based on the same credit report information. Your score considers both positive and negative information in your credit report. Late payments will lower your score, but establishing a good track record of making payments on time will raise your score. Understanding these score “factors” is important to improving your credit score. They tell you what you must address in your credit history to become more credit-worthy over time. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you, as a consumer, are entitled to one credit report a year, at no cost. Your free reports give you access to your credit history.They do NOT provide your credit score. Typically, credit score is only available when purchasing a report, unless you have been denied credit. AnnualCreditReport.com is a government-sponsored site that will allow you to request your free credit report from each of the 3 major credit reporting agencies. Caution: Beware of credit-repair scams. The Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection web site has information on improving and repairing your credit. Visit ftc.gov and search “improve your credit score.”

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Sources: First Reliance Bank staff.  Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection, http://www.ftc.gov “Improving Your Credit Score” June 2010