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All About Credit Scores: 3 Important Questions Answered

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All About Credit Scores: 3 Important Questions Answered

Here are the answers to three important questions about credit scores: What is a credit score?, Why do I have a credit score?, and How is my credit score calculated?

What is a credit score?

A credit score is a three-digit number between 300 and 850 that’s calculated by credit bureaus. The higher your score, the better you look to potential lenders. Basically, a credit score rates your creditworthiness. It’s all based on the info in your credit report.

Why do I have a credit score?

Your credit score helps predict the likelihood of you making on-time payments. Your credit report contains info on your use of credit over time, and that info gets fed through a scoring model that calculates your credit score. This standardized system helps lenders and landlords assess risk more easily. If you keep your score up, it can give you more options and save you a ton of money!

How is my credit score calculated?

Your credit score is calculated based on your history of on-time payments, how much of your credit capacity you use, how long you’ve had a credit history, how many new credit accounts you open and the variety of different types of credit that you use.

Breakdown of how a credit score is calculated: 35% payment history, 30% capacity, 15% length of credit, 10% new credit, 10% mix of credit

How are credit unions different from banks?

Credit unions ...

Banks ...


Eligibility + -

Credit unions ...

... cannot serve the general public; instead people must qualify for membership. Membership eligibility can be based on where you work, worship, live, or go to school. If you’re a member of other social groups or organizations, that may qualify you for membership too!

Banks ...

… let anyone become a customer.

Ownership + -

Credit unions ...

... are member-owned. Every member is equal, regardless of financial investment, and carries one vote in the democratic processes that guide the credit union.

Banks ...

... are owned by shareholders. The more shares you can purchase, the more of the bank you can own, and the more influence you have.

Your Role + -

Credit unions ...

… allow their members to vote on how the credit union is run. If you have an account at a credit union, you have a share in it.

Banks ...

… don’t allow their customers to have a say in how the bank is run.

Profit + -

Credit unions ...

... are not-for-profit cooperatives. Earnings are returned to their members — anyone with a share account — in the form of lower interest rates on loans and higher interest rates on deposit accounts.

Banks ...

... are for-profit. A bank’s earnings are distributed to its executives and those who own shares or stock in the company. Customers rarely see the effects of profit.

Boards + -

Credit unions ...

... are governed by boards of directors. Board members set the policies and govern the affairs of the credit union. More importantly, they are elected from the membership, and they are volunteers who receive no compensation for their work.

Banks ...

... are run by paid board members or executives who are hired, often from outside the organization and even from outside the banking clientele.

Safety + -

Credit unions ...

... are insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

Banks ...

… are insured up to $250,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Access + -

Credit unions ...

... tend to be local and have fewer branches, but thanks to ATM network sharing, you can use in-network ATMs free of charge at other credit unions and convenience stores.

Banks ...

… are present in most major cities, but if you need to use another bank’s ATM, get ready to pay a higher service charge.

It’s a Money Thing® is a registered trademark of Currency Marketing and is in partnership with Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU) to offer a digital library of financial topics.

Information in this article is general in nature and for your consideration, not as financial advice. Please contact your own financial professionals regarding your specific needs before taking any action based upon this information.

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