How to build credit history and maintain a good credit score

The easiest way to boost your credit score is to establish good habits and credit history, but knowing where to start and what to prioritize can be tricky. We break it down into five easy steps.

Your credit history and credit score are some of the most important numbers in your financial profile. These numbers determine whether banks will lend you money, how much and at what rate.

As a U.S. Bank mobile and online banking customer, you can check your credit score as often as you like with our free program powered by Transunion.1

To build and maintain a good credit score, follow these five steps.

 

1. Know what determines your credit history and good credit score

Most credit scores are tallied by companies like FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation), an analytics software company that developed the original credit score model, and are known as FICO scores. Scores generally range from 300 to 850, with higher numbers representing more credit worthiness.

 

Your FICO score is calculated based on your credit reports, which are compiled by credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Specifically, five criteria go into a FICO score:

2. Pay your bills on time

Whether or not you pay your bills on time has the biggest impact on your FICO score. Not surprisingly, recent late payments affect your score more than late payments in the past, and a habit of missing payments affects your score more than one or two misses. Even if you have a history of missed payments, it’s possible to get back on track. Try to pay at least the minimum on any credit card balances, and consider setting up automatic payments or alerts to help you keep up with due dates.

 

3. Chip away at your debt

Your FICO score takes into account how much money you owe, which for secured loans, like a car loan or a mortgage, is how much of the original loan you haven’t paid off. Assuming you’re making payments on time for those credit types, the number that’s most likely to be emphasize is the amount of money you owe on any revolving credit accounts, like credit cards.

Additionally, a FICO score considers how your money owed compares to the amount of credit you have access to. This is known as your credit utilization rate.

So, suppose you have three credit cards, each with a $10,000 limit. If you currently have $3,000 in credit card debt, your outstanding debt is 10 percent of your credit limit.

Generally speaking, the lower this number is, the better. Experts recommend keeping your credit utilization rate below 30 percent.

If your credit utilization rate is higher than that, try to come up with a strategy to pay down your credit card debt. Budgeting tools can help you analyze your spending and see where you might be able to cut back, freeing up cash to help you pay down your debt. Debt consolidation can reduce your monthly payment obligations, but it can also impact your credit score depending on the type of debt consolidation credit you do and your ability to pay it back.

 

4. Be strategic about opening and closing accounts

Every time you apply for new credit, whether it’s a credit card or a loan, that inquiry ends up on your credit report. Lenders might be concerned if you’ve applied for a lot of credit in a short amount of time. However, the companies that calculate your credit score can usually determine the difference between multiple inquiries on a single loan — say, when shopping around for the best mortgage rate — and applying for multiple lines of credit.

It’s also good to think carefully before closing credit card accounts. For instance, in the example above, if you closed the card with no balance, your credit utilization rate jumps from 10 percent to 15 percent.

Plus, if you’ve had a credit card for a long time, closing it could affect the length of your credit history. Your FICO score takes into account how long you’ve been borrowing money, as well as the average age of your accounts.

 

5. Keep at it giving yourself time to learn how to build a credit history and a good credit score

Paying down your debts or working to improve your payment history doesn’t happen overnight. However, taking steps to raise your credit score can be one of the most important decisions in your financial life; lenders, landlords and potential employers are just a few of the people who might check your credit score. Keep in mind that good habits, like consistently making on-time payments and chipping away at your debts, are the best way to improve and maintain your score.

It’s also a good idea to check your credit reports regularly. You can get a free copy from each of the three major bureaus every 12 months. Review your report to make sure all of the information is accurate and to keep track of your credit profile.

 

Find more resources on establishing credit to build your history and be ready for credit when you need it.

Related content

How liquid asset secured financing helps with cash flow

Hybridization driving demand

What type of loan is right for your business?

Programme debt Q&A: U.S. issuers entering the European market

Luxembourg's thriving private debt market

Maximizing your infrastructure finance project with a full suite trustee and agent

Top 3 considerations when selecting an IPA partner

Evaluating interest rate risk creating risk management strategy

Changes in credit reporting and what it means for homebuyers

Streamline operations with all-in-one small business financial support

How to establish your business credit score

4 small business trends that could change the way you work

Common small business banking questions, answered

3 signs it’s time for your business to switch banks

What kind of credit card does my small business need?

Do I need a credit card for my small business?

Leverage credit wisely to plug business cash flow gaps

How to establish your business credit score

5 financial goals for the new year

Good debt vs. bad debt: Know the difference

Practical money skills and financial tips for college students

How to build credit as a student

5 myths about emergency funds

Tips to overcome three common savings hurdles

How having savings gives you peace of mind

What’s your financial IQ? Game-night edition

Things to know about the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

Common unexpected expenses and three ways to pay for them

5 tips to use your credit card wisely and steer clear of debt

Are you ready to restart your federal student loan payments?

Consolidating debts: Pros and cons to keep in mind

How to talk to your lender about debt

Which debt management technique is right for you?

Everything you need to know about consolidating debts

5 tips to use your credit card wisely and steer clear of debt

5 steps to selecting your first credit card

How to use debt to build wealth

What’s a subordination agreement, and why does it matter?

Understanding the true cost of borrowing: What is amortization, and why does it matter?

7 steps to keep your personal and business finances separate

Know your debt-to-income ratio

How to pay off credit card debt

How to use credit cards wisely for a vacation budget

Your quick guide to loans and obtaining credit

Dear Money Mentor: How do I begin paying off credit card debt?

Dear Money Mentor: What is cash-out refinancing and is it right for you?

Money Moments: How to finance a home addition

These small home improvement projects offer big returns on investment

Should you get a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit?

Mortgage basics: How does your credit score impact the homebuying experience?

Is a home equity line of credit (HELOC) right for you?

How to use your home equity to finance home improvements

Can you take advantage of the dead equity in your home?

4 questions to ask before you buy an investment property

10 uses for a home equity loan

How to request a credit limit increase

Improving your credit score: Truth and myths revealed

How to spot a credit repair scam

6 essential credit report terms to know

5 unique ways to take your credit card benefits further

Myth vs. truth: What affects your credit score?

Decoding credit: Understanding the 5 C’s

Credit: Do you understand it?

How to build and maintain a solid credit history and score

Should you give your child a college credit card?

U.S. Bank asks: What do you know about credit?

What types of credit scores qualify for a mortgage?

What is a good credit score?

Credit score help: Repairing a bad credit score

How to improve your credit score

Disclosures

Start of disclosure content

Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rate and program terms are subject to change without notice. Mortgage, Home Equity and Credit products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC.

1Free credit score access, alerts and Score Simulator through TransUnion’s CreditView™ Dashboard are available to U.S. Bank online and mobile banking customers only. Alerts require a TransUnion database match. It is possible that some enrolled members may not qualify for alert functionality. The free VantageScore® credit score from TransUnion® is for educational purposes only and is not used by U.S. Bank to make credit decisions.