Time you
realize the cold hard truth: to the big banks, you’re nothing but a
number. All that matters is your credit
rating, otherwise known as your FICO score. It’s a number between 300 and 850
based on your financial history. Your FICO score helps the banks decide whether
you qualify for charge cards, car financing, a mortgage, or insurance. The higher your score, the lower your
interest rate. More than a third of Americans have a rating below 650, even as
lenders are tightening requirements for loans. Now you need at least 750 to be
immune from the current credit card crunch. Don’t despair. Take these steps to
improve your score.
