FAQs
For the majority of lending decisions most lenders use your FICO score. Calculated by the data analytics company Fair Isaac Corporation, it's based on data from credit reports about your payment history, credit mix, length of credit history and other criteria.
Which FICO Score is used most by lenders? ›
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. And credit card lenders can use the FICO Bankcard Scores.
How is a FICO Score used who uses the FICO Score? ›
Many lenders use FICO Scores to make decisions about credit approvals, terms, and interest rates. Chances are when you apply for a mortgage, an auto loan, credit card, or a new line of credit, the bank or lender is looking at your FICO Score. The reason? Lenders know what they are getting when they review a FICO Score.
What percentage of lenders use the FICO Score in the lending process? ›
The FICO® Score, used by 90% of top US lenders, is the standard measure of consumer credit risk in the US and has been made available in over 40 other countries, improving risk management, credit access and transparency.
Is FICO your true credit score? ›
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.
What credit score is needed to buy a $300K house? ›
What credit score is needed to buy a $300K house? The required credit score to buy a $300K house typically ranges from 580 to 720 or higher, depending on the type of loan. For an FHA loan, the minimum credit score is usually around 580.
Is 700 a good credit score to buy a house? ›
So yes, 700 ought to be a good enough credit score to buy a house. In fact, says DiBugnara, “a credit score of 680 or above will likely give borrowers access to 95 percent of financing options available.”
What is the best FICO score to buy a house? ›
Generally speaking, you'll likely need a score of at least 620 — what's classified as a “fair” rating — to qualify with most lenders. With a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan, though, you might be able to get approved with a score as low as 500.
What FICO score do car dealers use? ›
The base FICO score is also called FICO Score 8 or 9. It's not designed specifically for auto loans, but many lenders use it. It's a number between 300 and 850, and a higher score means that a person is more likely to make loan payments on time.
What's considered a good FICO score? ›
Why is my FICO score higher than my other credit scores? Every credit-scoring model is different. And credit scores can change based on what credit report is used to inform the model. Those variances can make some scores higher or lower than others.
Is a 900 credit score possible? ›
Highlights: While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.
Which FICO do most lenders use? ›
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.
Which credit bureau is the toughest? ›
Of the three main credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), none is considered better than the others. A lender may rely on a report from one bureau or all three bureaus to make its decisions about approving a loan.
Which credit score is most accurate? ›
Simply put, there is no “more accurate” score when it comes down to receiving your score from the major credit bureaus.
Do lenders look at FICO or Equifax? ›
Equifax credit scores are not used by lenders and creditors to assess consumers' creditworthiness. FICO scores are general purpose credit scores developed by the Fair Isaac Corporation, which are used by lenders and creditors to help assess consumers' creditworthiness.
What FICO score is needed to buy a house? ›
The minimum credit score needed for most mortgages is typically around 620.
Is my FICO score from my bank accurate? ›
Yes, you can trust credit scores reported by your financial institution. They will accurately reflect your credit history as it appears on the credit report upon which the score is based.