As I am not from US, I had no idea what FICO meant before researching it. FICO stands for Fair Isaac Corporation, a company based in California. FICO, put simply, is a person's credit score. A credit score can be used by a potential lender in making a judgement on whether to grant you credit or not, for example when you apply for a new credit card or home mortgage. Therefore, if you are in US, FICO score is very important to you. What Does a FICO Score Do?A FICO score places a value on types of credit accounts you hold or have held, and your credit history in maintaining those accounts. The FICO score scale ranges from 300 to 850, with majority of people in United States in 600 - 850 range.
Factors Which Affect Your FICO Credit Score
There are 5 factors in all which determine your FICO credit score:
1. Your payment history.
This counts for a very significant 35%--the most of FICO score factors. As you would expect, paying your bills on time is gets you a good score, while paying them late on a consistent basis is will mark down your FICO score. If you have had debts referred to a collection agency, that is worse still, while declaring bankruptcy is worst of all.
2. How much you owe.
Another obvious factor that FICO will take into account in arriving at a credit score. This accounts for another 30% of your total FICO score. It is not just what you owe already that affects your FICO score. Also taken into account is amount of credit available to you. For example, if you have a credit line of $5000, but have so far only used $1000, that will be taken into account.
Your total amount of credit will be totalled, and compared to your annual income. So, loans such as car loans, mortgages, credit cards, store cards, will all be added together. Those who use most or all of their available credit will get a lower rating for this part of FICO score calculation.
3. Length of credit history.