Dear Liz: I have been reading your Money Talk column for years and it seems that about a third of the questions pertain to credit scores. Why are people fixated on their FICO result?
I was unaware of my score until recently, when my bank accounts started showing my score when I am online. I am 65 and have had credit cards since college over 45 years ago. I pay my bill in full each month. I have never been late with a mortgage payment or any other bill. When I have gone to buy real property or an automobile, I have never been turned down.
In other words, I have used credit successfully for decades by behaving responsibly without knowing my score. Are people interested in their FICO mostly to be used as a status symbol or way to brag?
Answer: Some are, but most understand that credit scores are hugely influential in our financial lives. Scores help determine whether we can get credit and the interest rates we pay, but also whether we’re able to rent an apartment, get affordable auto and homeowners insurance (in most states) and qualify for a cellphone carrier’s best deals.
Credit scores do reward responsible behavior, but have some quirks that are worth knowing about. Using more than a small percentage of your credit cards’ available limit, for example, can hurt your scores, even if you pay your balances in full. And closing credit accounts might seem like the responsible way to deal with a card you no longer use, but that can hurt your scores as well.
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Also, you should know that you don’t have a single credit score; you have many, and they will differ based on which credit bureau and credit scoring formula was used.
FICO is the leading credit scoring formula, but there are many generations of the FICO score currently in use, from the older versions that have long been used in mortgage lending to the most commonly used version (FICO 8), to the most recent version (FICO 10). Auto lenders and credit card issuers use versions of the FICO that are adapted for their industries.
FICO’s main rival is VantageScore, which also has different generations in use.
On top of that, credit scores change constantly, based on the ever-changing information in your credit reports.
Your bank is making it easy for you to monitor one of your scores, which can give you a general idea of how lenders might view you as a borrower. Just don’t be surprised if the score your bank shows you doesn’t match what a lender uses the next time you buy a car or refinance your mortgage.
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‘Assets under management’ advisors
Dear Liz: We’ve been using a fee-only financial advisor for 25 years. We’d discuss what we needed, she would tell us how many hours it would take, then she invoiced us at an hourly fee.
She recently joined a company that charges 1% of investment portfolios to provide financial advice. Is this still considered fee-only financial planning? If so, how do we find a firm that charges an hourly rate? We don’t want to spend thousands of dollars for someone to just tweak the detailed roadmap that’s already been created.
Answer: So-called “assets under management,” or AUM, fees are indeed considered fee-only planning, as long as the advisor only accepts fees paid by the clients and does not receive commissions or other compensation for the investments they recommend. AUM fees are a common compensation method and 1% is a fairly standard fee. If the advisor is doing significant, ongoing planning and investment management for you, the fee may be worthwhile. If not, there are other compensation methods that may be a better fit. Garrett Planning Network represents fee-only advisors willing to charge by the hour, while XY Planning Network and the Alliance of Comprehensive Planners offer fee-only advisors who charge retainer fees.
Liz Weston, Certified Financial Planner, is a personal finance columnist for NerdWallet. Questions may be sent to her at 3940 Laurel Canyon, No. 238, Studio City, CA 91604, or by using the “Contact” form at asklizweston.com.
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FAQs
Checking your credit history and credit scores can help you better understand your current credit position. Regularly checking your credit reports can help you be more aware of what lenders may see. Checking your credit reports can also help you detect any inaccurate or incomplete information.
What credit score do you need to apply for a loan? ›
Some may approve loans for scores as low as 580 or even 300, but scores above 640 often secure the best terms. Keep in mind that your credit score isn't a single number but varies based on different scoring models and lender calculations. A higher score usually leads to better loan terms.
What credit score do you need to get a $20,000 loan? ›
Requirements for a $20,000 Personal Loan
This means they'll want to see your credit score, income level and DTI ratio. Requirements vary by lender, but most lenders require borrowers to have a credit score in the good to excellent range — meaning a score of at least 670.
How does a credit score affect your ability to get a loan? ›
The riskier you appear to the lender, the less likely you will be to get credit or, if you are approved, the more that credit will cost you. In other words, you will pay more to borrow money. Scores range from approximately 300 to 850.
Is a credit check required for a loan? ›
Lenders may forego a credit check, but there might be other minimum requirements you'll have to meet to get a loan. It's helpful to know up front if you'll need a certain amount of income or a bank account to qualify.
Why is knowing your credit score important? ›
Why your credit score matters. You can leverage great scores into great deals — on loans, credit cards, insurance premiums, apartments and cell phone plans. Bad scores can hammer you into missing out or paying more. Having good or excellent credit can provide significant savings over your lifetime.
What credit score do I need to get a $25,000 loan? ›
Typically, a desirable credit score for a $25,000 personal loan is around 670 and above, but some lenders work with those who have scores from 580 and up.
What credit score do you need to get a $10,000 loan? ›
To increase your chance of qualifying for a $10,000 unsecured loan, you should have a credit score of 600 or higher. Some lenders start their minimum credit score requirements at 600, however, there are some lenders that require a credit score in the high 600s or low 700s.
What credit score do you need to get a $30,000 loan? ›
FAQ: $30,000 Personal Loans
Generally, a score of 670 or higher is recommended to access better interest rates and terms. However, some lenders may accept lower scores but will compensate for the increased risk with higher interest rates and less favorable terms.
How much is a $20000 loan for 5 years? ›
Advertising Disclosures
| Loan Amount | Loan Term (Years) | Estimated Fixed Monthly Payment* |
|---|
| $20,000 | 5 | $415.07 |
| $25,000 | 3 | $771.81 |
| $25,000 | 5 | $514.57 |
| $30,000 | 3 | $926.18 |
13 more rowsThe monthly payment on a $20,000 loan ranges from $273 to $2,009, depending on the APR and how long the loan lasts. For example, if you take out a $20,000 loan for one year with an APR of 36%, your monthly payment will be $2,009.
Can I get a $20,000 loan with 650 credit score? ›
The required credit score for a $20,000 personal loan will vary from lender to lender, but a score of at least 650 will typically land you a decent interest rate and reasonably good repayment terms. Check with different lenders to find out their credit score requirements.
Is it bad to just pay the minimum on your credit card? ›
Interest charges add up: Typically, credit companies will charge you high interest rates on unpaid balances. If you only pay the minimum each month, the interest charges can snowball. The additional interest and any other fees are added on to your balance and can increase a lot over time.
Does paying off a personal loan early hurt credit? ›
Yes, paying off a personal loan early could temporarily have a negative impact on your credit scores. But any dip in your credit scores will likely be temporary and minor. And it might be worth balancing that risk against the possible benefits of paying off your personal loan early.
How many hard inquiries are too many? ›
Since hard inquiries affect your credit score and what is found may even affect approval, you might be wondering: How many inquiries is too many? The answer differs from lender to lender, but most consider six total inquiries on a report at one time to be too many to gain approval for an additional credit card or loan.
Why is it important to check your credit score How often should you check it? ›
You should check your credit report regularly―annually at a minimum—to help protect yourself and review where your credit accounts stand. It's important to monitor your credit report for changes you didn't anticipate so you can dispute entries you believe are wrong or detect fraud early.
Should I check my credit score before applying for a car loan? ›
To get the best deal and minimize any negative impact on your credit: Check your credit scores and reports – One of the most important first steps is to check your reports for any errors or inaccuracies that might be impacting your scores.
Should I check my credit score before applying for a credit card? ›
Checking your credit score is an important step in ensuring your personal information is correct and complete. Checking your credit score is considered to be a “soft inquiry.” Soft inquiries typically are not visible to lenders on your credit report.
Why do lenders look at credit scores? ›
When mortgage lenders review your credit history, it's likely they'll use a credit score formula tailored to determine what kind of risk you'll be for a mortgage loan. The formula may weigh pieces of your credit history differently in order to test for that risk factor.
