General Disclaimer: We are not responsible for any errors or other inaccuracies in the content on our website. All the articles here are presented with no warranty. The information displayed on businessbytes.net may be different from what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider, or a specific product's site. The information provided on this website is solely for educational and informational purposes. Before you make any financial decisions or implement any financial strategy mentioned on the website, we recommend that you obtain considered and independent advice from a financial professional who understands your financial needs.
Advertiser Disclosure: Businessbytes.net does not include all the available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers. Card Listings and other financial products that appear on this site are from financial companies for which businessbytes.net may receive compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products rankings on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear.
Here’s how to build your credit and improve your score
Banks and financial institutions provide their customers with a direct line of credit to pay for goods and services. It can be a credit card or a loan which is taken to fulfill your personal and business needs. The line of credit is determined by a numerical representation of all relevant information to collectively determine your credibility. This number is commonly known as a credit score. It is one of the most influential factors when it comes to applying for any form of credit.
You must understand the credit scoring model designed by credit rating agencies before you can explore ways to build your credit. Take a quick look at the following breakup provided by one of the leading credit scoring models in the industry.
FICO credit rating
Improving your credit score
Once you know your credit score, there are simple ways to improve the same. Rebuilding credit is often a time consuming and tedious process, but nevertheless necessary to avail great credit. Banks and financial institutions will always prefer an applicant with good to excellent score as it instills a sense of confidence in the lender.
Keep cards active
You may own multiple credit cards but will predominantly use only one to pay for most of your purchases. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you cancel your membership for the most inactive card as it can have an adverse effect on your average credit history. Note that any change in your average credit history will directly influence your credit score. It is advisable to divide your usage among all the cards you own to spend wisely and keep them all active at the same time.
Limit the number of cards
Banks and financial institutions allow balance transfers. This process transfers your debt from a high-interest credit card to one that carries a low rate of interest and boasts favorable terms of repayment. However, the temptation of owning multiple low-interest cards for consolidation of debt can have an adverse effect on your credit rating. You will still have to pay the minimum due on all cards and must keep track of payments across the board. Missed payments and penalties can bring down your credit score. It is advisable to have no more than three credit cards. You can use cards that offer attractive rewards and cashback.
Limit your card usage
A credit facility allows you to spend on goods and services but pays for the same later. It is this same temptation that can result in overspending without you not even realizing. Limited usage will help control your debt obligations significantly. So don’t use more than 30% of the total credit available in your account. Banks and credit agencies reserve the best scores for people who use up to 10% of the credit available to them.
Timely payments
Credit agencies offer you the opportunity to pay a portion of your total debt due. The rest is payable at a later date. However, you should meet your full payment obligation and not just the minimum due for the stipulated period. Meeting payments helps build a good credit line with the lender. Your lender will have more confidence in your ability to pay off bills.
featured articles
newsletters
We hate spams as much as you do. Get the latest financial news in your inbox!