Credit Cards
How Your Credit Score is Calculated?
Credit score information allows lenders to gauge a credit applicant to see if he or she is worth the risk of availing credit. After all, credit institutions are a business and need to profit from their investments in terms of lending their money resources. It is sensible business practice that they try to lend it to people who are responsible enough to pay them back later.
Lenders and credit institutions try to assess each credit application by looking at the applicant’s credit score information. Through it, these institutions will be able to determine if an applicant is worth the risk. The credit score is obtained from information based on the past credit activities of the applicant as well as other related information. All these can be found on the applicant’s credit report.
Your Credit Score
A credit score is calculated using the various information contained in the credit report. Different factors come into play when a credit score is calculated. A designed formula is used by credit reporting agencies to come up with the credit score. The formula takes into account the information from the credit report, both good and bad, to come up with the appropriate score.
In order for this score to be calculated, the credit report must have, as a minimum, one account which is at least six months old & one that has been updated for the same period. This will ensure that there is enough recent information in the credit report from which to base the calculation.
Payment History
Payment history accounts for about 35 percent of the credit score. This includes payments made on time as well as late payments. Public records can find their way into the credit report such as late or non- payments, bankruptcies, lawsuits, etc. These all may be considered when computing the credit score.
Amount of outstanding credit
The amount of credit that you have availed in the past accounts for about 30 percent of the credit score. Not only is the total amount looked upon but also the amount borrowed from different accounts. The balances on certain accounts may also affect the credit score. Maintaining a small balance for example, will have a positive effect on the credit report and may help keep your credit score up.
Credit History
The length of your credit history accounts for 15 percent of your credit score. Your oldest account and the average age of your other accounts are taken into consideration when calculating your credit score. Also considered is the length of time that has passed since you have used certain accounts.
The number of new credits availed accounts for about 10 percent of your credit score. This includes the length of time that has passed since you have opened a new account. The number of credit requests in a one year period is also considered.
The various types of credit that you have availed accounts for 10 percent of the information that goes into the calculation of the credit report. Revolving credit, such as credit card debts and personal loans or mortgages, is also taken into account.
Conclusion
The formula used by the different credit reporting agencies in calculating your credit score do vary slightly from company to company but they all follow a very similar process.
Posted in 
Tags: 
How Tough Is It To Get A Credit Card?
You’ll have no doubt by now heard all about how globally we’re in a bit of a fix with regards to money. At the moment (and for quite a while the Bank of England says) trying to get any form of lending is either impossible or extremely tough.
Whilst banks are not openly saying don’t come though our doors and expect any loans the number of credit approvals recently dropped to an all time low, so is it impossible to get credit these days?
It is true that many people will be turned down for credit cards especially if they have a poor record so the first thing you should do is check on your own credit report. This is done relatively easily as your credit details are held by three credit companies, they are referenced by banks and credit card suppliers when making a decision on whether you’re a risk or not.
It isn’t uncommon for these companies to misreport your status, sometimes they will mix up your report with someone of the same name and they may have a shocking report. So if you get your details held by them and they have inaccuracies then let them know and you may be able to look more favourable in the eyes of the banks and credit card suppliers.
In some cases banks are still pushing credit cards on some of their more reliable customers as they know that this person is good with money and may not use an overdraft frequently and keep themselves out of the red. By offering credit cards to these people they are hoping that they will become responsible card users and less likely to cost them in the long run.
Whilst it may still be tough to get mortgages, loans and other lending options credit cards are still being offered and advertised on television. The important thing to remember is that credit cards are best used for emergencies and is vitally important that they are paid off in good time to avoid crippling debts.
Cash Back Credit Cards Reward Regular Spenders
As credit card companies continue to work hard to compete for the borrowed dollars of consumers, reward programs and cash back incentives become increasingly lucrative for consumers. Cash back credit cards and other reward programs are incentives designed to motive credit card users to spend more and spend frequently.
Cash back credit cards vary in terms of the amount of incentives and the set up for the programs. Some cards simply offer a percentage of cash back for each dollar spent. While rewards do vary, most card companies offer cash back rewards in the range of 1-1.5 per cent. Some cards reward every purchase equally, while others reward users with bonus rewards for buying products from network companies. Card companies are partnering with retailers and other businesses and some cards pay rewards up to five per cent or so for in-network card purchases.
Points based cash back programs are also very popular. As opposed to offering a percentage of cash back for purchases, some card companies award points to card users for certain amounts and types of purchases. Users can then exchange points for cash back or other types of rewards.
Credit card companies reward users for various reasons. Sometimes card companies want consumers to spend money to carry higher interest-bearing balances. Others reward consumers more for frequent card uses as a way to increase revenue for transaction fees charged to merchants. Merchants typically pay transaction fees to card companies to process card purchases. Thus, a modest 1.5 per cent cash back payment to a card user is reasonable to the card company who gets significantly more in transaction fees from the merchants.
The biggest decision for consumers considering cash back and rewards programs is what types of benefits and perks are most preferred. Some credit card companies offer cash back only cards that pay the percentage rate in cash back. Others use the point based system but offer a wider selection of reward perks. Many companies rely on their partner relationships to offer higher value non-cash rewards to consumers. Additionally, there are combination rewards programs that allow consumers to choose between cash rewards and other product and service rewards at any point in time.
As with any type of credit card offer, borrowers need to consider their own spending habits, and optimal benefits when reviewing card options. Cash back incentives are most beneficial to users who use cards regularly and in the ways rewarded by the card company.
Ways To Cheat Credit Agencies
Just face it. You are a spendthrift. Your credit record is poor. You have missed payments. You have also filled in a lot of loan applications. Is all this a crime? No. You are no different from a lot of other people. Some would suggest that you need to transform your thinking so that you change your spending habit. Sure, change yourself, if only you can. But, this article is not intended to change your nature. In most cases, one’s nature can’t be changed.
But because of your spending habits, your poor rating is hurting you badly. You are really desperate to improve your rating, and fast. I am going to show you how you can fool the credit rating agencies into thinking you’re becoming credit-worthy. Just follow these 7 tips religiously, only for the next 90 days. (Sure, you can continue to follow these even after 90 days, if only you can.)
1. Stay Within A Budget
For just the next 90 days, religiously stick to a budget. Regulate your expenditure, week by week. Don’t buy anything you don’t really need. Do this only for the next 90 days till your rating improves.
2. Keep Your Payment History In Check
Your credit card payment history has impacted your credit rating adversely, right? For the next 90 days, only buy things you need with your cards and repay card debts on time.
You draw the attention of the credit bureau when you own more than two to four cards. Rather than have many cards with large unpaid balances on each, take a low interest loan to pay off some of them. Hold on to older cards which count for more points when your rating improves.
3. Make Payments On Time
Only for the next 90 days, don’t wait till the last moment to pay off loans or bills shown on your credit report. Even if there’s a grace period offered the loan will still appear on the report, thereby damaging your score. Fool the rating agencies by paying ahead of time.
4. Don’t Restrict Payments To The Minimum Allowable
Another way of fooling the raters is to pay more than the minimum allowed. That way, you save interest and owe less. Make sure your card balance is well within the limit during the next 90 days.
5. Be Wary Of Consolidating Debts
The surest way to alert the credit bureau that you have a problem paying your debts is to keep applying for loans, to use to wipe out older ones. They get another warning sign when you get new cards frequently, tempted by offers. Do debt consolidation selectively, and only as a repair measure, for the next 90 days. Even if you are simply checking out on the best offers, never give out your name and address, if you can avoid it.
6. Beat Them To The Draw
If you have missed a payment, talk to them and explain before they set collection agencies after you, which would damage your rating like nothing else.
When you talk, you can negotiate better if you have something to offer. Assist them in devising a new payment plan. Given a choice, opt for a longer payment period if the lower instalment will make it more affordable for you, while telling them you intend to repay.
7. Get Errors Rectified
Sometimes there are errors on your credit report. If these are not corrected in time, they hurt your credit score. Follow up with the credit bureau to insure that such errors no longer appear on your credit report. You might have to convince them about the error, as people at the bureau may not always agree with you about the error.
Append your explanation to your report. Take care, however, to steer clear in your comments of finding fault with anyone. Always appear to assume that any errors could have been inadvertent.
Once the plan is agreed on, request that your debt not be reported to the credit bureau. If your payment record on the amended plan is good, they are likely to concede to your request.
Do all this only for the next 90 days, and savor the feeling of power and confidence it will give you.
If you require a still higher rating, perhaps you may have to extend this 90 day period to 180 days or more.