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FICO scoring is a system that lenders and underwriters use to determine what your interest rate on a loan is going to be. If you buy a house or car, the mortgage or the loan is determined by you credit report and your FICO score.

That score is based on the FICO model and the interest you pay, as well as your monthly payment, is based on what your personal credit score number is.

The same is true when you get a car loan, as well as the premium on your car insurance or homeowners insurance. Your personal credit score can even affect your chances of getting new employment.

FICO scoring is calculated from a multitude of different credit data and it is grouped into five different categories.

So that you will understand the basics of how FICO score is determined, the percentages below reflect how important each of the categories are in determining your personal credit score.

History (35%)

Payment history is the biggest factor in determining your FICO score. How many late payment or bankruptcies you have can hurt you significantly and the more recent the negative activity, the worse the score will be.

Outstanding Debt (30%)

This is determined by the amount of credit that is being used on a revolving credit line like a credit card, determining your credit to debt ratio. Ideal is about 40/60. This means if you have credit card with a $10,000 limit, you have an outstanding balance of 4,000.

Length of your credit history (15%)

This was a surprise to me. If you have a car loan, and you pay it off immediately, it is not as good as if you have a car loan drawn out for a long period of time and you make payments regularly. However, keep in mind that the difference you pay in interest may not be worth the higher FICO score.

Inquiries (10%)

Any time you apply for something that requires credit, the other party with pull your credit score. Some are soft pulls and some are hard pulls meaning some won’t pull quite as much information and will have little to know affect. Others will. A soft pull would be checking your own personal score or report.

Types of credit in use (10%).

How much is still owed on current mortgage loans, credit cards and finance companies compared with the original loan amounts? Also it’s important not to open a number of new credit card accounts just to increase your available credit. It will have the opposite affect and lower your score.

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