What is Credit History?

Credit history is a comprehensive record of an individual’s borrowing and repayment activities over time. For high-income earners, a strong credit history is not merely a reflection of fiscal responsibility; it can define financial opportunities, such as preferential loan terms, and influence creditworthiness when it comes to loan accessibility.

To build or improve credit history, it’s critical to understand the contributing components:

• Credit account information: Including information about open and closed credit lines such as credit cards, mortgages, and personal, student, and auto loans.
• Payment history: A record of timely payments, late payments, and defaults.
• Credit utilization: The ratio of credit used vs. total credit available—a crucial indicator of credit management.
• Types of credit: credit mix is the different kinds of loan accounts you have or have had.
• Number of credit inquiries: Instances when lenders request your credit report, categorized as hard or soft credit inquiries.

A clean and robust credit history unlocks many financial opportunities, including seamless loan approvals, favorable interest rates, and increased credit limits. Understanding these intricacies allows individuals at any stage of their credit journey to strategically improve their credit score, thereby optimizing their financial potential and stability.

Let's review key benefits of good credit history:

• Loan approval: Lenders consider your credit history when evaluating the risk associated with lending to you. A favorable credit history enhances the likelihood of loan approval.
• Interest rates: A strong credit history can lead to lower interest rates on loans, translating into significant savings over time.
• Increased credit limits: Making timely payments over the life of loans, credit card bills, and other financial instruments makes you a trusted borrower. This will reflect on your increased credit limits, providing greater financial flexibility.
• Foregoing security deposits: When setting up utility services, a solid credit history may deem a security deposit unnecessary.
• Employment opportunities: Some employers assess credit reports as part of their hiring process, especially for roles that entail financial responsibility.

If you're embarking on the journey to establish your creditworthiness or rebuild from a lower score, consider these four strategies to enhance your credit score. Understanding these methods can empower you to build a strong credit foundation or repair a low score, ensuring future financial flexibility and favorable borrowing terms.

If you’re familiar with the basics of building credit, the next step is to understand the long-term impacts of credit history on financial stability and access to broader economic opportunities. Establishing smart financial habits is necessary to maintain them long term.

Building a good credit history is a gradual process that goes beyond opening a secure credit card or becoming an authorized user on a family member’s credit card. Consistency in your payments is an important factor, as credit reporting agencies want to see how well you practice financial hygiene over the seasons.

Here are practical steps to build an “excellent” credit history.

Diversify your credit mix

A varied mix of credit accounts, such as credit cards, installment loans, and retail accounts can bolster your credit history. Diversity in credit demonstrates your ability to manage different types of credit responsibly.

Be judicious when diversifying. Attempting to boost your credit score by opening too many credit accounts within a short amount of time can hurt your credit score.

Maintain low credit utilization

Aim to keep your credit utilization ratio below 30%. High credit utilization can negatively impact your credit score, even if you make timely payments.

Manage your debt wisely

Prioritize paying off loans with high interest or variable rates. When interest rates rise, so does the amount you owe, making your debt more expensive in the long run.

Regularly using credit and paying off balances on time showcases your creditworthiness. Even small, regular transactions contribute positively to your credit history.

Check your credit report and correct errors

Make it a habit to check your credit score periodically. This will give you an idea of how your expenses affect your score and the opportunity to correct any errors.

Check your free yearly credit report from TransUnion®, Experian™, or Equifax® and compare them against each other. According to Consumer Reports, 27% of credit users’ reports have errors that affect their overall credit score.

Keep your old accounts open

The length of time accounts have been open is an important factor affecting credit history. The longer your credit accounts stay open, the stronger the evidence of your good credit habits. Keep your older credit card accounts open even if you use a newer one for current expenses.

Building and maintaining a leverageable credit history is an ongoing process that requires disciplined financial habits and strategic planning. Those who are financially savvy and informed stand to gain significantly from it. At BHG Financial, we offer tailored services to help you harness the benefits of a good credit history toward your next financial venture.

How long does it take to build a good credit history?

If you’re new to credit, good spending habits can yield a high credit score within six months. However, reaching an “Exceptional” credit score typically takes between seven and 10 years.

Does bankruptcy stay on my credit history forever?

No. If you filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it will remain visible on your credit history for up to 10 years, while Chapter 13 remains visible for up to seven. In both cases, the bankruptcy record is automatically removed from your credit report.