Smith Business and Finance

So you can’t get a loan. It was probably your credit score that clinched the deal to the wastebasket. You see, when you apply for a loan, financial institutions and lending companies look at your credit score for guidance. People with low credit scores are more likely to be rejected for a loan or at best be given a small amount for a loan, with a high interest rate and a shorter time frame to pay the loan.

In contrast, people with high credit scores are given higher amounts of money for a loan, lower interest rates and longer time frame to pay the loan. This is because people with a good credit score are perceived as less of a risk, more responsible, more able to handle their finances and worthier to be given a loan.

Here are some tips that can help you improve your credit score.

1. Keep a payment schedule

One of the factors that affect credit score is your reputation for paying your bills. Even if you pay them, but always late, it can still affect your credit score. This is why it is important that you keep a payment schedule if you really want to raise your credit score a notch.

You can do this by keeping track of all your bills especially your credit card statements. This way, you will not only incur additional charges in terms interests, you will also build for yourself a good credit history.

2. Spend only when you need to

Another factor that affects credit scores is your credit card. If you often have credit cards that are maxed out and well and beyond its credit limit, your credit score will become lower. This is because a maxed out credit card reflects a spender who cannot handle finances. This kind of person is a risky candidate for a loan.

3. Borrow from only one

Some people make the mistake of applying for a loan in more than one company all at the same time. Do not do this. Although banks do not actually check with each other, they do have their own ways of finding out if you have also borrowed money from other institutions. If this is the case, your credit score will take a nosedive.

This is because people who borrows from a lot of companies are seen as too desperate for money or is too needful of it. Some see this as a dubious way of acquiring money. So if you are afraid of getting rejected and you just want to make sure that you will get a loan, try waiting for one response before starting an application in another. That way, your credit score will not suffer.

4. pay your outstanding debts

You may be paying your debts but you have a lot that you are not finished paying yet. This is also not good in your credit history. Although most companies would want to lend you the money because you are a good payer, having too many outstanding debts that you are still paying for may make them think if you can still manage to pay another one.

If you feel that you can pay one debt in full, pay it. That is one less debt for you to worry about. This will not only bring you a step closer to financial independence, it will also improve your credit score.

If you are thinking of applying for a loan, it will be a good idea to first check your credit score. This will give you an indication whether your request will be approved or not and how much interest you will have to pay.

So how do you check your credit score? For that, you will need to get it from a credit agency. These three are namely Experian, Equifax or Transunion. People can log in to their site and request a copy which is absolutely free.

Your credit score could range from 350 to 750 points and the higher it is, the better. If your score is below 700, then you need to improve on it.

You do that by knowing your current credit score and then reviewing it. Look for errors and if there happens to be some, take the appropriate steps to fix them. You should call the credit agency to report the error and then send the supporting documents by mail.

Never send the original copies because if they lose it, you have nothing left to support your claims so send photocopies.

The next step is for the crediting agency to conduct an investigation into the matter. If your creditor cannot produce anything, then the error is immediately removed from your record and a revised copy will be sent to you free of charge.

But if the report is correct, then you will have to take the appropriate steps to remove it. Your credit score may go down depending on your credit history. If you have unpaid loans or have incurred late payments in your credit card, then you have to pay them.

Remember that these things will be in your credit report for the next 7 years while filing for bankruptcy lasts for about ten so you can’t run from it.

You will have to find a way to come up with the money by working overtime, cutting down on your expenses, getting a second job or selling some of your valuables. If you don’t know what to do, it wouldn’t hurt to swallow your pride and ask for help as there are financial advisers that are willing to help you go through this time.

If things are not that bad, perhaps you can make a deal with your creditor so this will not appear on your record thus having no effect on your credit score. Just make sure you stick to the bargain because if you fail to do so, don’t expect them to be so generous the next time this happens.

A year later, you can request for a new copy of your credit report to see if the steps you have taken have paid off. If you see a significant improvement versus the year before, you know you are doing something right and you won’t have a problem anymore applying for a loan.

Checking your credit score is something people should do regularly by getting a copy from a crediting agency. There are three to choose from and you can get a copy from all three at the same time or every few months.

The scoring system used by all three are different but all point to one conclusion and that is whether or not you have good or bad credit.

Before setting up a business, there are two questions that you must ponder: Are you willing to finance your own business from your personal assets? or Is applying for a business credit a more practical approach? If you choose the latter, it is important to review your credit history.

Having a bad credit must not hinder you from setting up your own business though it cannot be avoided for the credit history to be reviewed whenever applying for a loan. This review would play a role in determining whether your application for a business loan would be accepted or rejected.

A good credit history can help you qualify to a loan with great rates, terms and conditions. On the other hand, if you have a bad credit history, you do not have any choice but to settle for a bad credit loan. A bad credit loan is designed to help people who have bad credit history. Unfortunately, not every lender offers these kinds of loans. Do not take that as an obstacle that you cannot overcome but it must motivate you to look for lenders who are willing to offer bad credit loans.

Terms for a Bad Credit Loan

It is natural for the lender to charge a higher rate of interest for people with bad credit history, since these people are considered to be a risk factor in lending a loan. You must be prepared for the higher cost of closing costs, processing fees and others as compared to a normal loan. However, you will be assured that your application will be accepted even if you have a bad credit score; this is a definite advantage despite the high rate of interest.

If you review and compare the loans, almost all of them are similar to substandard ones but you must understand the reality that because of your bad credit score, these loans are the only chance you have. There is no other lender who would accept your application.

Improving the Chances

You have the option of applying for a secured loan to help improve the chances of the application to be accepted. In a secured loan, the borrower is required to pledge a type of security when he or she applies for a loan. By doing so, the lenders would not be at risk. In the event that the borrower defaults on the payments, the lender can easily retrieve the amount. There are several lenders who are more open to the subject of a secured loan and it might not pose a difficulty for you to convince a lender in spite of your bad credit rating.

You can also hugely improve the chances of your application to be accepted by building credit worthiness before applying for a loan. You can do this by never defaulting on payments, keeping your banking transactions and others free of errors. If have done all of this, then you can apply for a loan. This only shows that despite your bad credit history, the recent pattern in your transactions is developing healthy payment habits. Credit worthiness is the most important determining factor regarding the issue of the chances of your loan getting approved.

Payments

Once your loan has been accepted, the last thing you are required to do is to always make sure that you make your payments on time. Doing so would somehow clear your bad credit history and allow you to apply for proper loans and not on bad credit loans.

How many times a day do you receive offers through email or phone for free credit cards with money back schemes, low introductory rates and other perks of credit cards? All banks and financial institutions vie for maximum customers by pouring umpteen perks to tempt you, the customer, in one way or the other.

Remember that a credit card is just a form of borrowing money that has to be paid later. However, it is better to choose a credit card with good rates to avoid ending up paying too much interest to the banks. Make it a point to compare credit card terms and fees before opening a credit or charge card account. Once you find the credit card that has an interest rate that best fits your needs and budget, you can then open an account with that bank.

The annual percentage rate is the measure of the cost of credit the bank offers and is expressed as a yearly rate. Make sure you are aware of this rate before accepting a credit card as some credit card plans have interest rates that change when other economic indicators change. This plan is called a variable rate program. In such a case, when you first get the credit card, you may be offered 5% interest, but in case of index changes, the interest rate may go up to 8%. This means you will later have to pay more interest with the increased interest rate! So confirm if the credit card offers a variable rate program or ‘fixed rate’ program where there is no change in the annual percentage rate, even when economic indicators change.

It is beneficial for you if the credit card you have has a ‘grace period’. This is the period where you can avoid finance charges by paying your balance before due date. This is because with a free period, you will be sent your bill at least 14 days before the due date, thus giving you enough time to pay. Check if the credit card charges annual membership or participation fees or any other costs like transaction fees. It is better to choose the credit card company offering the least ‘extra costs’! This is because the more extra costs there are, the more money you have to pay the company!

When applying for a credit card, it is better to first consider if the credit limit is up to your requirements. Then only is it beneficial for you to apply for the credit card. To get the best rate for your credit card, make sure you understand all terms and condition of the card before accepting it. This is to avoid any future misunderstandings and misconceptions with the credit card company.

Of course, the main point that is taken into consideration to get the best rate for your credit card is your credit score. The better the credit score you have, the better will be the rates the credit card company offers you! This is the reason it is always advisable to have, and maintain a good credit score!