Understanding Credit

A thin credit file means the bureaus don’t have enough information to score you reliably. Here’s what that means, why it matters, and exactly how to build your credit history from scratch.

Every time you apply for credit, a hard inquiry hits your report. Here’s exactly how much it matters, how long it lasts, and when you shouldn’t worry about it at all.

Late payments, collections, bankruptcies — find out exactly how long negative items linger on your credit report and when you can expect your score to recover.

Answers to the most common questions about credit scores — what a good score is, how the US and Canada compare, and the fastest ways to improve your rating.

Find out exactly how your FICO credit score is calculated — the five factors, how much each counts, and what you can do to move the needle.