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Credit: Where Are You on Your Journey?

Whether you want to know how to establish credit or are looking to improve it, we have tips and resources in our Mission: Credit Confidence® Dashboard to help you achieve your goal.

Get Started with the Dashboard

  • I'm New to Credit

    Building credit is an important part of your financial life, so we've assembled some tips and resources to help you get started.

    Learn more about building credit

  • I'm Rebuilding Credit

    As your financial partner, we understand that rebuilding credit is easier if you know where to start and have a plan to follow. Our tools and resources can help guide you.

    Learn more about improving credit

  • I'm Managing Credit

    It’s easy to monitor, manage and help control your credit score with our free credit dashboard.1

    Learn more about CredControl

Building Credit

Video Transcript for What Makes Up Your Credit Score?

(SPEECH)

- Do you know what makes up your credit score?

 

- I know this. This is really--

 

- Ah, I got this. I'm asking them.

 

[MUSIC PLAYING]

 

(DESCRIPTION)

Navy Federal Credit Union, Making Cents. What Makes Up My Credit Score? A woman and man in blue shirts in a white break room area. He eats.

 

(SPEECH)

Ooh, donuts, the perfect way to start my day.

 

(DESCRIPTION)

A box of glazed donuts with sprinkles.

 

(SPEECH)

I'm coming back for you. What was I saying?

 

Oh, yes. Ever again, everyone's favorite Navy Federal Credit Union friend.

 

(DESCRIPTION)

The man wheels in a white board and looks confused.

 

(SPEECH)

I recently overheard a young active duty service member talking about having trouble figuring out their credit score. It hit me that they can't be the only one who's a little bit confused.

 

(DESCRIPTION)

On the whiteboard, different buildings with numbers 1, 2, and 3 under them. A gauge shows credit score.

 

(SPEECH)

See, each of the three credit bureaus calculate your score a little differently. But they look at similar information. According to VantageScore, three of the factors used to calculate scores are loan payments, credit card balances, and personal bankruptcy. They also suggest you can raise a low score or maintain a high one by making all your loan payments on time, keeping all your credit card balances 70% under your total limit, and not opening multiple credit card accounts within the same time frame.

 

Here's a Smart Money Strategy for you.

 

(DESCRIPTION)

Smart Money Strategy. An orange checkmark.

 

(SPEECH)

A VantageScore credit score ranges from 300 to 850, with 850 being the highest. Members can check their VantageScore using our free Mission Credit Confidence dashboard. You'll get a look at your overall credit, history, and see how different factors can affect your score.

 

(DESCRIPTION)

Drawing of a man checking this information on the dashboard.

 

(SPEECH)

No need to thank me. I'm just doing what I do best, MakingCents of your money together.

 

(DESCRIPTION)

Half a donut in the box.

 

(SPEECH)

Bryan, did you really leave me half a donut?

 

- Well maybe let me explain something to them next to it.

 

(DESCRIPTION)

He leaves. She looks at the camera with her mouth open.

 

(SPEECH)

- Bring more strawberry frosting, then we'll talk.

 

BRYAN: Deal!

 

[MUSIC PLAYING]

 

(DESCRIPTION)

She smiles and shakes her head.

 

He moves the kitchen counter out of frame. She guides him. Text, For more smart money tips, visit navy federal dot o r g slash making cents. Cents is spelled c e n t s. Insured by N C U A. This information is not legal nor financial advice. Instead, it is provided for your general informational purposes only. You should consult your own attorney or financial advisor regarding your particular situation. The credit score and report you will receive through Mission Credit Confidence Dashboard is a TransUnion credit report with a TransUnion Vantage 3 Score.

 

Learn the Basics

Generally, 5 factors determine your credit score: payment history, amount owed, length of credit history, newly opened credit accounts and types of credit.

Resources

Get Started

A secured credit card is a great way to get started. It works like any other credit card, but backed by a cash deposit. And, with some cards, you can even earn rewards. 

If you plan to begin with a different type of credit like an auto loan, and aren’t sure you’d qualify on your own, having a co-signer could improve your chances of qualifying.

Resources

Make Smart Credit Decisions

The number-one thing you can do to build good credit is to make payments on time, as late payments will lower your credit score. Create a budget to make sure you have enough money to pay your expenses each month, and use reminders or other tools to keep you on track. Some easy ways to make sure you aren’t late include using calendar reminders and tools like automatic bill pay and money transfers.

You’ll want to keep your balances low and manageable, so avoid using all your available credit and, when possible, pay more than the minimum payment each month. That way, you’ll pay less interest and pay off your debt sooner.

Not sure where to begin? Let us help with free confidential personal finance counseling, available at 1-888-503-7106.

Resources

Improving Credit

Create a Budget & Pay Down Debt

We know your goal is to get back on track, but the first step is to check your budget. Are there things you can adjust? Then, push to make on-time payments for at least the minimum (but ideally more) on all your loans. Use automatic bill pay to ensure you never miss a payment.

One strategy to reduce debt is the “avalanche method.” You focus on paying off the loan with the highest interest, while continuing to make at least the minimum payments on your other debts. Once the higher-interest loan is paid off, add that payment amount on the next highest-interest debt and so on until you’ve paid off each debt. If you need help, consider our free confidential personal finance counseling, available at 1-888-503-7106.

Resources

Build Good Credit

Lenders evaluate a variety of factors to determine your creditworthiness. Some of the factors that affect your credit most are:

  • how much you owe in total
  • your payment history
  • how long ago you established credit
  • how much of your current credit is new
  • the types of credit you use

Consider using products that will help you build good credit. A secured credit card helps you build credit while earning rewards.

Resources

Managing Your Credit

Take Control of Your Credit 

Easily monitor, manage and help control your credit score with our free Mission: Credit Confidence™ Dashboard.

  • Monitor Your Credit Score
    Get monthly score updates without impact to your score.
  • Use the Score Simulator
    See how certain actions (like adding or paying down debt) could affect your score.
  • Get Credit Score Alerts
    Sign up for alerts to notify you of score changes.
  • Reach Your Goals
    Set a goal and work toward your desired credit score.

with the credit dashboard

Resources

Get Your Credit Report. The 3 national credit reporting agencies—Equifax®, Experian® and TransUnion®—are required to provide you a free copy of your credit reports once a year. You can request and review your reports at annualcreditreport.com. If you find an error contact the credit bureau directly to file a dispute.

A Good Option for Improving Credit

Disclosures

1

The credit score and report you will receive through Mission: Credit Confidence® Dashboard is a TransUnion® credit report with a TransUnion® Vantage 3 Score.

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