Credit education about FICO® Scores
Understanding your credit health begins with understanding your score.
At Visions, we utilize VantageScore® 4.0 for our members during the loan application process and in digital banking, although we had previously used FICO® Score 2. You can learn more about FICO Scores below, or visit our Credit Score page for details about VantageScore and our free Credit Score tool in digital baking.
How can I access my score?
Accessing your score is easy. Simply log into digital banking and select "Credit Score" from the Services menu or locate the information on your digital banking Home page. Please note that first-time users will need to accept the terms and conditions.
Once you click into the details about your credit score, you may be able to view a previous month's FICO® Score. Starting January 2025, any current credit score is provided by VantageScore® within the same digital banking feature, which will indicate the credit score provider and key factors that impact each score.
Will checking my credit score hurt my credit?
No, all credit pulls through digital banking are considered "soft pulls", meaning they will have no impact on your credit score.
Why is my credit score so important?
Everyone knows that your credit score can impact loan decisions, but did you know it can also alter your insurance rates? And that’s not all. Your credit score can also affect:
- Your chances of renting an apartment
- Whether you can get a cell phone contract
- Whether you need a deposit for your utility company
What makes up my FICO Score?
More than anything, people seem to confuse what affects their score and what doesn’t. Here's what does impact your FICO Score.
Payment history: 35%
You can’t talk about credit scores without talking about payments. And it’s true – your payment history makes up more than a third of your score. Did you know that a single missed payment can stay on your report for two years? That’s why it’s vitally important that you make your payments on time.
Amounts owed: 30%
Credit cards don’t have to be a bad thing – as long as they’re used responsibly. In fact, how well you manage your credit limits has a significant impact on your score. In order to reap the benefits of your credit cards, try to keep your utilization low – around 20 or 30%. That means if you have a $10,000 credit card, you only want to keep $2-3,000 on it at any given time. The more available credit you have, the better.
Length of credit history: 15%
Good things come to those who wait. The longer you’ve been a borrower – and made your payments on time – the higher your score will be.
New credit: 10%
Constantly applying for new accounts in an attempt to boost your score can negatively impact your credit. In fact, the more hard inquiries and new accounts you have can actually harm your score. That’s because new accounts will lower your average account age, and multiple inquiries in a short period of time is a signal to lenders that you could be in financial trouble.
Credit mix: 10%
Credit cards are nice, but you need some installment loans to balance out your revolving credit lines, too. That means things like personal loans, auto loans, or mortgages. A healthy mix of credit signals financial responsibility to lenders.
What are the credit score ranges?
Depending on the credit agency, scores typically range in value from 300-850.
Credit Score FAQ
- What is a credit score?
- What is VantageScore®?
- How do I check my credit report?
- Why does my credit score fluctuate/change?
- Why is my credit score at Visions different from other scores I've seen?
- Why is my credit score not available in digital banking?
- Will receiving my credit score in digital banking or at a Visions branch impact my credit?
- How is my credit score calculated?
- What is a FICO® Score?
Visions FCU and Fair Isaac are not credit repair organizations as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. Visions FCU and Fair Isaac do not provide "credit repair" services or advice or assistance regarding "rebuilding" or "improving" your credit record, credit history, or credit rating.
FICO® is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries.