CREDIT SCORING . . . HERE TO STAY!
The Fair, Isaac Credit Bureau Scores, known as FICO Scoring, was introduced
to mortgage lending nearly two decades ago. The past credit history of a
borrower is examined to determine the likelihood of timely future payments on a
new mortgage.
We've always known that a few late payments did not make a borrower a high
credit risk. On the contrary, the trick has been to develop a method by which
we could identify a borrower's likelihood of paying their mortgage on time.
This scoring not only assesses how likely a borrower is to pay back a loan, but
also measures the degree of risk a borrower represents to the lender. Scores range from 300 to 900 (depending upon the repository
reporting), the higher score indicating better credit quality.
In measuring the relationship between credit scores and default records,
lenders have learned that there are many more dimensions to credit than just
reviewing and explaining a late payment record.
There are 33 "variables", grouped into five categories, gathered
for a borrower's credit profile. Some of the items include: 1. Previous
Credit Performance: Examining late payments, judgments, collections, etc.
and how recently they occurred. 2. Current Level of Debt: Number of
outstanding account balances vs the credit limit. 3.
Pursuit of New Credit: Review of the number of inquiries made by creditors
& new accounts opened during the past year. 4. The Time Credit Has Been
Used: Examination of how old the accounts are. 5. Types of Credit in
Use: Are the accounts bank, gas, entertainment, department store credit
cards, personal loans, auto or installment loans?
Installment debt and low balances on bankcards result in the higher scores In
other words, we no longer merely look at "good" vs
"bad" credit as a means to determine the likelihood of making future
mortgage payments.
Most Recent indications of the “weight” given to scoring goes
like this:
1.
Late Payment History 35%
2. Current Level of Debt 30%
3. Pursuit of New Credit 10%
4. Length of Credit 15%
5. Type of Credit 10%
Here is one way in which you might “interpret”
the above information:
- Pay on
time, all the time
- Don’t
exceed 50% of any revolving credit line. More recently, this debt ceiling
limit has been reduced to 30% of any revolving credit line.
- Keep
some revolving accounts open.
Most lenders look for a minimum of 4 credit lines available,
especially if you must seek some form of niche loan. Today’s
practice of constantly transferring account balances to lower interest
rate bearing cards, while a good business decision, could result in
lowering a score.
- Avoid
finance company credit. Use banks and credit cards.
- Don’t
apply for credit unless you need it.
Inquiries during the past twelve months are reviewed and can impact
a score. Two exceptions . . .
mortgage and auto inquiries within a 30 day period of each other count as
one inquiry.
Should a consumer be denied a loan due to a low score, clues as to why might
be found by reviewing the four "most significant reasons" for the low
score as provided by the credit provider. These are generally the four most
important factors that affected the score and kept it from being higher.
In spite of wide spread skepticism regarding the impact that this process
might have on acquiring loan approvals, lending sources indicated that this
scoring system has proven to be an objective and reliable method of qualifying
potential home buyers. Controversy continues, however, around the issues of the
type of credit information used to develop the scores and how to change
erroneous information contained in a borrower's credit file.
Some skepticism remains especially as more home loans approved via the
system are now facing foreclosure difficulties. To be fair, the default
problems are more a condition of lending sources having relied upon high credit
scores in approving loans while ignoring what are proving to be some very bad
loan options.
The credit scoring process may benefit borrowers via the current “automated
underwriting” programs wherein speedier approvals can now be made. Some
say that the automated systems allow greater flexibility in qualifying
borrowers than was previously allowed under more traditional underwriting
processes. As loan default problems continue to emerge it will be interesting
to see if the automated systems adapt and become less flexible.
While scores above 680, up until recently, required minimum credit review and
were often approved with minimum "conditions", this has changed. 740
has become the current basic score and anything less generally requires a more
comprehensive review of the borrower's credit and ability to meet loan
standards. Scores below 640 are now generally not acceptable except for
government approved loan options (FHA, VA, Guaranteed
Rural Housing). On the conventional
side, a score below 700 will likely require a more "cautious" review
and could result in the borrower having to accept a less desirable rate and
terms and, in some cases, being denied their loan request. While borrowers with
scores as low as 640 can acquire a loan, the “risk based” underwriting
guidelines will require a higher rate and sometimes fees.
A few arbitrary minimum scores have been identified for certain types of
financing. For instance, many non-owner occupied purchase options with an LTV
exceeding 70% often requires a minimum 720 credit score to avoid increases to
rate and/or fees. On the other hand, while FHA, VA and Guaranteed Rural Housing
guidelines continue to indicate that they "look at" the scores but do
not determine the borrower's approval predicated on scores alone now requires a
minimum 640 score. The confusion is that while the agencies do adhere to the “scores
are only reviewed” concept, lenders who fund the
loans require the 640 minimum score.
Lower scoring borrowers had in the past an option in seeking
"niche" loan products when their credit scores were insufficient to
qualify for the more competitive loan options. The result often was a higher
interest rate and terms via the sub-prime loan market. Those options are closed
for now. But, the system is under
constant review to determine the revisions necessary to determine the credit
worthiness of the lower scoring applicant. In other words, they recognize that
all low scoring applicants are not necessarily bad risks for home loans. Via
refinement, the system continues to try to better identify those "good"
borrowers, in spite of what might be considered a low score. We anticipate and
welcome more information soon.
Each of the three credit
repositories have web sites at which borrowers can
obtain credit information. When applying for a home loan, the lender
requires a report from all three repositories. Acquiring the reports
individually will not only cost more money (at approximately $8.50 a report vs.
a $14-$18 cost for a three merged report, which in most cases will be acquired
free from most lenders) but are not
usable by your eventual lending source. Humboldt Home loans will obtain a
credit report during your loan process at no fee to the borrower. You may find
it useful to "get an idea" regarding what your credit looks like by
accessing one of the repositories? The equifax site
is recommended as the most user friendly by many, but
here are all three sites.
www.econsumer.equifax.com
www.transunion.com
www.experian.com
While Fair Isaac continues to
"suggest" that consumers will not understand their report, the above
sites at least now exist. The sites can confuse the issue a bit by providing
scores that differ from the typical mortgage three merged report. The good news
is that they do attempt to provide information regarding how to interpret
the scores. Consumers can also contact Fair Isaac at their website of www.fairissac.com for general credit score
information. For the consumer interested in
"behind the scenes information” www.myfico.com
may be interesting as it attempts to explain various aspects of credit reports
and credit scoring.
While still evolving, the automated underwriting system, given today’s
more inflexible approval process, revolutionized the lending industry. Its
flexibility and quickness in approving loans likely far outweighs any current
negatives with the program. Thus, credit scoring is here to stay. It makes
sense that prospective borrowers become pre-approved for a loan, which will
include the examination of the borrower's FICO scores to assure their ability
to acquire their desired loan.
THE FOLLOWING IS GOOD ADVICE IN
TODAY'S WORLD OF CREDIT SCORING!
1. Close
"inactive" credit card accounts.
2. Always be cautious of giving your Social Security
Number and other personal information to prevent premature credit
"inquiries". (Such as when 'shopping' for a car, or other large
purchases.)
3. Reduce
the number of credit cards held to a minimum. It may no longer be prudent to
retain too many credit cards (with too much "available" credit).
Retain only those cards typically used.
On the other hand, it may be a good idea to maintain a minimum number of
“credit lines” available.
Many lenders require a minimum of three to four credit lines available
if a borrower is to be considered for financing.
4. If
an unsolicited credit card is mailed to you (that you did not apply for, nor
want to use), do not reply in any way.
Destroy the card and do not use it, not even one time. Our understanding
is that no “inquiry” is noted on your credit report as a result of
these unsolicited mailings.
Webpage/credit scoring