Have you ever forgotten to pay a bill, only to unexpectedly watch your credit take a hit? It stinks. And unfortunately, it ...

Avoid common credit mistakes that tank your score. Expert tips show how consistent habits, not income, build strong credit.

Think of your credit score as your money report card. Banks and lenders look at it when you apply for a credit card, a car ...

SEATTLE — A strong credit score is a key that can unlock opportunities, like lower interest rates and better borrowing terms. “It’s a three-digit number that determines how creditors, lenders and ...

When credit scores were recalculated to take rent payments into account, they improved on average by 60 points, a 2021 ...

Perfect credit, or even really good credit, opens doors for American consumers. Better interest rates on loans. Better odds of renting an apartment or landing a job. Lower insurance premiums. But how ...

The average FICO score fell to 715 in April, down one point since January and two points from a year earlier. For consumers, that decline is more than just a number—it reflects how a growing trend of ...

Bankcard delinquency rates, for example, hit 11.7% this year, only 2% shy of the Great Recession peak. Meanwhile, credit card ...

Debt is a double-edged sword. When wielded wisely, it can open doors to opportunities such as homeownership, education and financial flexibility. Mismanaged, it can weigh you down and derail your ...

FICO has released the average credit score in every state. Find out how you stack up and what you can do to boost your score.

We might earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of the links. The McClatchy Commerce Content team, which is independent from our newsroom, oversees this content. Many people turn to Buy ...

When exploring mortgage options, your credit score typically takes a hit when you obtain a mortgage preapproval from a lender ...