Knowing your credit score can help you manage your credit. You’ll know before you apply if you’re likely to qualify for a specific loan or credit card. If you’re trying to manage money better and ...

The average U.S. FICO score has dropped two points in the last year to 715, which could signal that consumers are facing increasing financial stress. Perhaps more concerning is that 90-plus-day ...

Bankcard delinquency rates, for example, hit 11.7% this year, only 2% shy of the Great Recession peak. Meanwhile, credit card ...

Credit scores don’t matter unless you’re trying to get a loan, rent an apartment, secure insurance, buy a home, avoid paying a deposit to utility companies, or even land some jobs. OK. Unless you’re ...

Good credit is the gateway to financial power — from lower mortgage rates and cheaper car insurance to premium rewards credit cards and nicer apartments. But many Americans are mystified by their ...

Brittany Brown is a full-time copywriter writing covering real estate and personal finance topics like budgeting, investing, credit cards, and more. She is currently working to become an accredited ...

Perfect credit, or even really good credit, opens doors for American consumers. Better interest rates on loans. Better odds of renting an apartment or landing a job. Lower insurance premiums. But how ...

When exploring mortgage options, your credit score typically takes a hit when you obtain a mortgage preapproval from a lender ...

New VantageScore credit model now accepted for FHA and VA loans. Competition with FICO could help first-time buyers and veterans qualify. Free tools available to monitor and improve credit scores ...

Think of your credit score as your money report card. Banks and lenders look at it when you apply for a credit card, a car ...