A perfect 850 credit score might sound impressive -- but what does it really get you? Here's the truth heading into 2026.

Fact checked by Betsy Petrick Key Takeaways No two credit scores are the same, even if they belong to the same person. That's because the financial industry uses different scoring models for different ...

Learn what a credit history is, how it affects your credit score and report, and tips for improving it. Unlock better loan ...

While having a bad score can be an immense source of stress, the worst thing you can do is bury your head in the sand.

LaToya Irby is a credit expert who has been covering credit and debt management for nearly 20 years. She's been quoted widely in national publications, and her work has been cited in several books.

If you are thinking of buying a home in the near future, one of the top things you'll need to do (besides house shopping) is to get your credit score in order. If you're like the average home buyer in ...

Struggling with subprime credit? You're not alone. Learn five ways that you can quickly raise your credit score and improve ...

More than a third of all Americans have a credit score below 670, according to Experian. And many don’t realize what’s hurting their credit until they’re denied a loan or hit with higher costs. Your ...

Your credit score is the key to your financial future: It can determine whether you get approved for a credit card, car loan or mortgage, and what interest rate you'll pay. In some cases, your score ...

In general, how much of a personal loan you can get depends on your credit scores, credit reports and income. Here’s how you ...

Even a single 30-day late payment can drop your credit score by 50 to 100 points. Late payment marks stay on your credit ...

Congratulations -- you've just reached credit score perfection. Now what? Going by the commonly-used FICO® Score system, 850 is the highest credit score possible. That means lenders see you as a very ...