As the idea behind credit history and ratings come from complex algorithms which are unknown by the public and with every lender and credit bureau using different formulas to reach a verdict on an individual’s credit rating; it can be difficult to precisely assess an individual’s exact credit rating. As there is not one uniform worldwide credit rating, the closest a person can expect to obtain an ‘exact’ credit score is by utilising information from all sources available.
Any particular individual does not have just one credit rating. A person will have numerous ratings, dependant in which country they live in. Generally a person’s credit rating is a numerical value which falls into a range of a credit model which determines a person’s credit worthiness. However these credit scales may vary from 300 – 850 or 350 – 900 which makes the process of reaching an average credit rating even harder. In addition some lenders and bureaus use alphabetical credit scales.
While a person’s credit score will differ from one credit institution to another, comparisons and averages can be calculated by the use of a credit score rating chart such as the one below (Source: http://www.thismatter.com/money/credit/blog.htm). This gives an easy view of American credit bureau scales in a visual comparison from the United States’ major agencies.
As you can see from the chart above, there are six credit bureaus listed all of which have different rating scales. The most common range is between a 300 low to an 850 high. A rating of 520 with VantageScore would mean a high risk proposition with a low rating; however the same person with the same score at Experian would be medium risk. The calculations from each credit agency would be relative however and this is just an example.
By working out the median averages from each of the lenders scales and then applying an individuals credit score for each an average can be obtained. This will give as close to an exact credit score that is obtainable.
Often credit score ratings charts will be colour coded to indicate the level of risk at each point of the scale. Usually green is low risk with a high credit score while red is high risk with a low credit score. The gradient in between represents the risk value increasing or decreasing.
Using credit rating charts are among the most thorough methods to finding how someone is likely to be treated with a credit application.
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