Credit scores especially FICO scores, the most widely used credit bureau scores have made big improvements in the credit process. Because of credit scores:
People can get loans faster. Scores can be delivered almost instantaneously, helping lenders speed up loan approvals. Today many credit decisions can be made within minutes. Even a mortgage application can be approved in hours instead of weeks for borrowers who score above a lender’s score cutoff. Scoring also allows retail stores, Internet sites and other lenders to make instant credit decisions.
Credit decisions are fairer. Using credit scoring, lenders can focus only on the facts related to credit risk, rather than their personal feelings. Factors like your gender, race, religion, nationality and marital status are not considered by credit scoring.
Credit mistakes count for less. If you have had poor credit performance in the past, credit scoring doesn’t let that haunt you forever. Past credit problems fade as time passes and as recent good payment patterns show up on your credit report. Unlike so-called knock out rules that turn down borrowers based solely on...