Congratulations! You’ve Reached the Credit Score Nirvana: 850!

In the credit score range of 300 to 850, a score of 700 or higher is typically regarded as good.

In the credit score range of 300 to 850, a score of 700 or higher is typically regarded as good. A score of 800 or above on the same range is considered to be excellent. Most consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750. In 2022, the average FICO® Score☉ in the U. S. reached 714.

You may be able to get a credit card or loan with better terms and a lower interest rate if you have a high credit score. That said, different lenders use their own criteria for deciding whom to lend to and at what rates. Here are some additional details about what makes a good credit score, what affects credit, and how to raise credit.

But wait. what does it all mean?

Having a credit score of 850 is like hitting the jackpot in the financial world. It’s a testament to your responsible credit management and opens doors to a plethora of financial benefits. Let’s dive deeper into the wonders that await you with this near-perfect score.

The Perks of an 850 Credit Score

  • Rock-bottom interest rates: Lenders view you as a low-risk borrower, so they’ll shower you with the lowest interest rates on loans, mortgages, and credit cards. This translates to significant savings throughout your financial journey.
  • Access to exclusive offers: Buckle up for premium credit card rewards, special loan programs, and VIP treatment from lenders. Your 850 score unlocks a world of financial advantages.
  • Improved insurance rates: Some insurance companies consider credit scores when determining premiums. With a stellar score, you might snag lower rates on car, home, and even life insurance.
  • Enhanced rental opportunities: Landlords often check credit scores before approving tenants. Your 850 score makes you a highly desirable tenant, increasing your chances of securing the rental of your dreams.
  • Peace of mind: Knowing you have an exceptional credit score brings a sense of financial security and control. You can confidently navigate the financial landscape, knowing you have access to the best deals and opportunities.

What Makes an 850 Credit Score So Special?

  • It’s a rare feat: Only a small percentage of the population achieves this near-perfect score. Your 850 score places you among the financial elite.
  • It reflects impeccable credit management: This score indicates a history of responsible borrowing, on-time payments, and low credit utilization. You’ve mastered the art of financial discipline.
  • It inspires trust and confidence: Lenders view you as a reliable borrower, making them more willing to extend credit and offer favorable terms.

How to Maintain Your 850 Credit Score

  • Continue your excellent credit habits: Stick to your on-time payments, keep your credit utilization low, and avoid unnecessary credit applications.
  • Monitor your credit reports regularly: Check for errors or suspicious activity and address them promptly.
  • Consider becoming an authorized user on a responsible account: This can help boost your credit history if you’re new to credit.
  • Diversify your credit mix: Having a mix of credit cards, installment loans, and lines of credit can positively impact your score.
  • Seek professional guidance if needed: A financial advisor can help you develop a personalized strategy to maintain and improve your credit score.

Remember, your 850 credit score is a valuable asset. By nurturing it, you’re paving the way for a financially secure and rewarding future.

P.S. Don’t forget to celebrate this achievement! You’ve earned it!

Why There Are Different Credit Scores

Credit scores are a tool that lenders use to make lending decisions. Different credit scoring models are developed by FICO and VantageScore for lenders, and both businesses release updates to their models on a regular basis, much like other software companies might release new operating systems. The most recent iterations may better conform to recent regulatory requirements, take into account changes in consumer behavior or technological advancements, or both.

An example of a tri-bureau scoring model developed by VantageScore is the ability to assess your credit report from any of the three major consumer credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) using the same model. The first version (VantageScore 1. 0) was built in 2006. The latest version, VantageScore 4. 0, was released in 2017 and developed based on data from 2014 to 2016. It was the first credit score that was generic and included trended data, or how customers handle their accounts over time.

Being an established company, FICO was among the first to develop credit scoring models that utilized consumer credit reports. It develops various iterations of its scoring models to be applied to the data from each credit bureau; however, more recent iterations have a common name, like FICO® Score 8. There are two commonly used types of consumer FICO® Scores:

  • Base FICO® Scores: Designed to estimate the probability that a customer will miss any kind of credit obligation, these scores are available for use by all lenders. Base FICO® Scores range from 300 to 850.
  • Industry-specific FICO® Scores. For the purpose of auto lenders and card issuers, FICO generates bankcard and auto scores. Industry scores, which range from 250 to 900, are designed to forecast the possibility that a customer will miss payments on a particular kind of account.

Building upon a foundational FICO® Score, FICO offers industry-specific scores on a regular basis. The FICO® Score 10 Suite, for instance, was announced in early 2020. It consists of three scores: the standard FICO® Score 10, the trended FICO® Score 10 T, and new industry-specific scores. FICO 10 T and VantageScore 4 will be needed by mortgage lenders who deal with government-backed mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. 0 credit scores in evaluating borrower eligibility in the coming years.

There are scores used more rarely as well. For example, customers can link checking, savings, or money market accounts with FICO’s UltraFICO® Score, which takes banking activity into account. Lenders may also create custom credit scoring models designed with their target customers in mind.

For the most part, lenders can choose which model they want to use. In fact, because switching could require an investment, some lenders may choose to remain with older versions.

Additionally, until you submit an application, you frequently won’t know which credit report and score the lender will use. The good news is that the same underlying data—found in one of your credit reports—is used by both VantageScore and FICO to calculate consumer credit scores. Additionally, they are all trying to predict the same thing: the probability that a person will fall behind on a bill (generally or specifically) by ninety days in the upcoming twenty-four months.

As a result, the same factors can impact all your credit scores. Depending on the scoring model and the credit report it examines, you may notice variations in your scores if you track multiple credit scores. But, over time, you may see they all tend to rise and fall together.

What to Do if You Don’t Have a Credit Score

Your credit score is calculated by credit scoring models using your credit reports; however, reports with insufficient information cannot be scored.

For FICO® Scores, you need:

  • An account thats at least six months old
  • An account that has been used during the previous half-year

If your credit report has at least one active account—even if it’s only been open for a month—VantageScore can score it.

To start establishing credit if you aren’t scoreable, you might need to open a new account or add new activity to your credit report. Often this means starting with a credit-builder loan or secured credit card, or becoming an authorized user.

In addition, you can begin establishing credit immediately with Experian Go™. Even if you don’t currently have any credit accounts, Experian Go can help you establish credit by generating an Experian credit report for you. It then provides you with personalized insights on how to move forward with building credit.

Additionally, you can use Experian Boost® to receive credit for qualifying bills like utility bills, streaming subscriptions, payments for qualified rent, and more. By paying your bills on time each month, you can establish a good payment history and immediately raise your credit score.

How customers with 850 credit score get treated

FAQ

Can you have a 900 credit score?

While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.

What population has a credit score of 850?

Only 3.1% of the American population has a credit score of 850 which is the highest FICO® Score anyone can achieve and is in the range of an “exceptional” FICO score, according to 2022 Experian® data.

Is there a big difference between 800 and 850 credit score?

Just getting your credit score over 800, officially an excellent credit score, gives you the same advantages and benefits that come with a perfect credit score. Experian reports that 21 percent of all consumers have achieved excellent credit, compared to just 1.6 percent with a perfect 850 credit score.

Is a 850 credit score good to buy a house?

Your credit score (commonly called a FICO ® Score) can range from 300 at the low end to 850 at the high end. A score of 740 or above is generally considered very good, but you don’t need that score or above to buy a home.

Is 850 a good credit score?

An 850 FICO ® Score is nearly perfect. You still may be able to improve it a bit, but while it may be possible to achieve a higher numeric score, lenders are unlikely to see much difference between your score and those that are closer to 850. Among consumers with FICO ® credit scores of 850, the average utilization rate is 5.8%.

What percentage of Americans have a 850 credit score?

The percent of the population with the highest credit score of 850 is relatively small but has been increasing. As of April 2023, about 1.7% of the U.S. scorable population had a perfect 850 FICO® Score. That compares to 1.5% in April 2018 and 0.8% in April 2013.

What is a 850 FICO ® score?

Your 850 FICO ® Score falls in the range of scores, from 800 to 850, that is categorized as Exceptional. Your FICO ® Score is well above the average credit score, and you are likely to receive easy approvals when applying for new credit. 21% of all consumers have FICO ® Scores in the Exceptional range.

Do you have a “high achiever” personality with an 850 FICO® score?

If you happen to have a “high achiever” personality and are focused on improving your good credit score to the “perfect” having an 850 FICO® Score, here are some credit behavioral characteristics we observed on the population with an 850 FICO® Score in April 2019:

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