Does Your Credit Score still Measure up? Peekskill NY

By Eva Norlyk Herriott

The world of credit is changing fast, and so are the benchmarks for what is considered good credit. In today’s tightening credit environment, people who once had good credit may find that their score no longer measures up, and that applying for a new credit card or loan suddenly is not as easy as it used to be.

Credit scores give credit card companies and prospective lenders a quick snapshot of a person’s financial situation and his or her ability to manage credit responsibly. Credit scores are just little three-digit numbers, but they pack a surprising punch. Your credit score not only affects whether you’ll get approved for a new credit card or mortgage loan, it may also affect your ability to land a new job or rent a place to live.

In today’s tightening credit environment, have become more important than ever before. At the same time, unfortunately, the benchmarks for what is considered excellent and good credit are changing, and people with a score that used to be considered good may discover that lenders now turn their nose up at their score.

According to mortgage brokers and industry professionals, while people with a FICO score of 700 to 720 in the past qualified for the best mortgage rates, today a FICO score of 740 is considered minimum to get the best terms. For the best deals on rewards credit cards, auto loans and home equity lines of credit, lenders nowadays want to see a FICO score of 750-760. On the lower end, a credit score of around 620 used to be considered subprime, today even a score below 660-680 is considered below average. ...

Click here to read the full credit card article from CreditCard Guide.