• A credit score is a number between 300 and 850 that reflects a consumer’s creditworthiness.

  • There are three main credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
  • Credit score plays a key role in a lender’s decision to offer a loan.
  • The FICO scoring system is used by many financial institutions.
  • Factors considered in assessing creditworthiness include repayment history, types of loans, length of credit history, and total debt of the individual.
  • One of the metrics used in calculating a credit score is credit utilization – the percentage of available credit that is currently being used.
  • It is not always recommended to close an unused credit account, as this can lower a person’s credit score.