The legal status of person's inability to pay their debts is called bankruptcy. Bankruptcy has a severely adverse effect on the credit history of a person. It can remain up to 10 years on their credit report and reduce their credit scores by more than 200 hundred points. Therefore, bankruptcy can rightly be said to be one of the worst things to have on your credit report.
Bankruptcies can be filed under either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Under Chapter 7, the assets of the bankrupted party are liquidated to pay off the creditors. This process typically lasts for six months. While under Chapter, the creditors are paid from the future income of the debtor. The payment plan can be either 3 or 5 years depending upon whether the debtor's income is below or above the state median average, respectively.
Although the bankruptcy will remain in the credit history for the next ten years, it doesn't necessarily imply having low credit scores for the whole time as well. Credit scores can be quickly rebuilt by getting an earlier discharge (which is necessary to start gaining credit again) and maintaining a timely post-bankruptcy payment history. Thus, credit worthiness can be achieved several years before bankruptcy is checked out from their credit history.
What is a credit score
A credit score is needed for you to be able to get a loan or credit. The reason behind this is because it will help financial institutions to determine your creditworthiness. They will also see every loan that you made and the payment history that you have. Find out more about it by reading the information below.
Credit scores are calculated based on the proprietary algorithm. This will include the person's outstanding debts, payment history, and the length of the individual's credit history.
Credit scores can range from 300 to 850. The higher the individual's score, the lower the risk. People who have lower credit scores are considered high risk, which will make lending companies ask for more requirements.
About Fico scores
Fair Isaac Corporation is the one who established FICO, and it is one of the most commonly used credit scoring systems today.
According to FICO, 90% of the most reputable and respected lenders today are making decisions according to this kind of credit scoring system. Get to know more about Fico scores by reading the information below.
How are credit scores calculated?
The weight of each of the five categories are; 30% of amount owned, 10% is for the new credit, 15% accounts for the length of credit history, 10% is the credit mix and the last 35% accounts for the person's payment history.
The FICO score takes into consideration positive as well as negative aspects of the credit report. The percentage or the weight of any of the categories mentioned above may differ from a person to another depending upon the information available in the credit report.
The FICO score takes all of the information from your credit report. However, the banks or any other lending institution might look at your income, type of credit and employment history when you apply for a loan or mortgage.
Once a certain lender asks for a client's credit report, they can also ask for the Fico score. Other sources say that your Fico score will include 35% of your payment history, 30% of your credit utilization, and 15% as to how long have you been borrowing.
Explanation of credit score ranges
It is important to know the category that you fall into when it comes to credit score for you to be aware. The range of a credit score can go from 300 to 850. Always remember that the higher your score, the higher the chances of you to qualify for a loan. There will also be instances where a financing company is okay with 650 scores, while the other is fine with a 750 score. It will all depend on the lender itself.
A lender or a bank will check your credit score if you qualify for the application that you are requesting. Here are some of the credit score ranges that you should know.
Bad credit score
People with a credit score below 579 is known as high risks. Foreclosures, poor payment history, and bankruptcies are the reasons why people fall into this category.
Good credit score
A good credit score ranges from 680 to 719. People with this credit score can expect approvals and interest rates that are better.
Very Good
A very good credit score ranges from 720 to 799. People with this credit score is known to be small risks, and they often get loan amounts that are higher than usual.
Excellent
An excellent score ranges from 800 and above. Financial freedom is expected to people with this score.
Other things you can do to improve your credit score
The credit score ranges from 300 (the lowest credit score possible) to as high as 850 (the highest credit score possible). Higher you credit score, greater are your chances of getting your loan or credit request accepted quickly.
However, if you are facing issues with your low credit score, following are some of the tips or techniques that you can use to improve your credit score:
You should start by minimizing your total debt. The increase in your total debt value is going to affect your credit score negatively.
You should also be very careful with your bills and other credit payments. If you pay them on time, this will gradually improve your credit score.
Have a closer look at your credit balances. You do not want to cross the credit limits because they deteriorate your credit score.