565 Credit Score: Is It Good or Bad?

565 Poor
Updated April 10, 2024

A 565 credit score is well below the average credit score of 715, hence a 565 credit score is not good. If your score falls below 580 on the FICO credit scoring model it is considered poor. Poor FICO scores suggest past issues – late or missed payments, high utilization rates, accounts in collections – or a limited credit history.

The good news is that your FICO score is close to the fair category and won’t take too much work to get there. And if you can’t wait, there are lenders willing to work with applicants whose credit scores fall in the 500 range.

In this article, we’ll cover everything about a 565 credit score, what loans and cards you’ll be eligible for, and most importantly, how to improve a 565 credit score.

What credit card can I get with a 565 credit score?

You have a few 565 credit score credit card options. Most cards for your score range will be secured. There are are few unsecured cards designed to help boost your score. Let’s consider your options in more detail.

Unsecured credit cards

Obtaining an unsecured card with such a low score can take time and effort. Many issuers prefer applicants with higher ratings to reduce their risk. You’ll run into a lot of cards where you just don’t meet their minimum score requirements.

However, some companies specialize in providing cards to people with low scores. These cards frequently have higher interest rates and lower limits. Be prepared for tighter approval requirements and greater fees. Despite all that, they are a way to access borrow money when everyone else turns you down.

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Open a secured credit card account

Secured cards may be a realistic choice for people with a 565 credit score. These cards require a refundable security deposit, often equal to the limit, reducing the lender’s risk. Because your deposit is collateral, approval is usually easy, even with a low score.

Once your deposit is made, the secured card functions like an unsecured card, with your payment history regularly reported to all national credit bureaus. Use your secured card responsibly – make timely payments and keep your usage low – an you can boost your rating. Within a few months to a year, you should your score should go up enough that you can qualify for an unsecured card.

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Personal loans with a 565 credit score

You can get a 565 credit score personal loan. Lenders who offer loans to applicants in this score range have more flexible criteria and consider the borrower’s full financial history, income, and employment stability, rather than just their scores. However, prudence is advised. These lenders frequently demand higher interest rates to compensate for the risk. It’s important to conduct thorough research and compare loan offers before you accept one. Be sure to choose a loan that works for your financial situation, you can handle repayment, and the lender is reputable.

Online lenders

Online lenders are a good place to start. Many have a more lenient approval process and accept applicants with poor scores. Among online lenders there are loan marketplaces. These are advantageous because you are connected with multiple lenders through one application. Submit a loan application and you’ll receive offers from direct lenders you match with. Compare offers to find the best loan for you and then apply directly with the online lender.

Credit unions

Credit unions are member owned financial institutions and can be a lot friendlier than big banks. A lot offer installment loans – loans that are repaid in set monthly payments over a set period of time. A loan from a credit union will likely be for a larger loan amount, fewer fees, and a lower interest rate than from a traditional bank. Make sure the credit union reports payments to all three national credit bureaus and the personal loan will also help your score to grow.

Cash advance apps

Cash advance or paycheck advance apps send you a portion of your paycheck before payday. Most have no credit check, no interest, and few to no fees. These perks can make them a cost-effective solution when you need a small amount of cash fast.

What is the minimum credit score for a loan?

The minimum score required for a personal loan varies by lender, but most want a score of 560 to 660 at the very least. Before you apply, check each lender’s specific requirements to make sure you are eligible. There’s no point in applying for a loan you don’t qualify for.

Can you get approved with a 565 credit score?

A 565 credit score is bad. It is one of the poorest scores possible. Most banks and financial institutions prefer applicants with FICO scores above 670. Lenders frequently view scores below 580 as high risk and are reluctant to work with such borrowers.

Even so, some lenders are willing to look past your score and agree to give you financing. Financial institutions willing to approve personal loans for poor FICO scores will put more emphasis on your income and employment history than on your score. Loan options for poor scores include:

  • Payday loans
  • Pawnshop lawns
  • Title loans
  • Payday alternative loans
  • Cash advances
  • Secured loans

The terms you’ll likely receive with any of these loans will be less favorable than those given to borrowers with good scores.

Similarly, many companies offer cards geared towards building up your score. These cards can be expensive but they can also be a good stepping stone. Use them strategically, raise your rating, and move on to better card options.

What does a 565 credit score get you?

With a 565 credit score, your options may be rather limited. Your rating represents your creditworthiness, and a low FICO score tells lenders you are a high risk borrower.

That said, you can get a loan with a 565 credit score or a credit card. Expect to be offered loans for small amounts with high interest rates, extra fees, and short repayment terms. The cards you’ll be eligible for will most likely be secured. Any unsecured card will also come with a higher than average annual percentage rate (APR), an annual fee, and a small limit.

If you can afford to, wait to borrow money. Take the time to establish a solid credit history and you’ll be able to secure a loan with more favorable terms or a card with fewer fees.

Not everyone can wait. Emergencies come up and you need funds fast. Luckily there are options if you have a poor credit score. We will go over some of those options below.

Learn more personal finance tips!

How to improve your 565 credit score

Improving your 565 credit score is a very good idea. Yes, it is a challenging thing to do, but it is possible and completely worth it in the end. All you have to do is establish better financial habits. That is easier said than done, but will help you immensely in the long run.

The first thing to know is how your FICO score is calculated. That way you know what factors to focus on improving. FICO scores consider the following items:

  • Payment history – 35%
  • Utilization rate – 30%
  • Amount of time you’ve had accounts – 15%
  • Mix of account types – 10%
  • New inquiries – 10%

Now that you know what factors are important, take a look at your credit report. You can get all three reports – one from each bureau Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – once a year via AnnualCreditReport.com for free.

Check your reports for mistakes and inaccuracies. If you find any errors dispute them with the issuing bureau. Next, note what you’re doing wrong so that you know what to correct in the future so that you can establish a positive track record.

Catch up on past-due payments

If any of your bills are past-due, it’s time to pay them. Even a single debt payment can prove beneficial. If you’re struggling to catch up, talk to your issuer, they may be able to offer a solution. You can also seek guidance from a non-profit credit counseling agency. Their certified counselors can help you budget or set up a debt management plan (DMP) to get you out of debt – possibly for less.

Once you’re up to date, keep it that way. Making timely payments is the best thing you can do. Set up automatic payments or reminders so you never miss a due date.

Keeping your accounts up to date prevents the accumulation of additional late payments, saves you from paying interest, and raises your rating.

Don’t let your credit card balances balloon

A high balance is bad news. You will pay more in interest and it elevates your utilization rate. Your credit utilization rate is your current balance vs. your limit. You want to avoid high utilization rates. The general rule of thumb is to keep your usage below 30%, aiming for even lower utilization is ideal.

Achieving this goal can be hard, but every effort counts. Even if you can’t immediately pay off your entire balance, strive to reduce bit by bit. Make multiple payments throughout the month. Pay more than the minimum payment due. Only pay with your card what you can afford to buy with cash. Little by little, your utilization rate will go down and your score will go up.

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Think carefully before closing old credit card accounts

Closing old credit accounts you rarely use sounds like a good idea but think twice before making a hasty decision. Closing accounts can hurt your score. Older accounts increase the average age of your credit history and give you a larger total limit.

Instead, keep old accounts open and active – unless they have a large annual fee, then it’s better to close them. Consider adding a small recurring charge, like a monthly subscription, to keep the account active and prevent the card issuer from closing it unexpectedly.

Don’t apply for too many new credit cards at the same time

There are tons of credit card options on the market that can be tempting to apply for. A new card can increase your credit mix – if you only have installment loans – and help raise your rating. But it’s a good practice to be strategic and only apply for cards you’re eligible for.

Each application triggers a hard inquiry, which can marginally decrease your score. One hard inquiry isn’t a big deal – your rating will bounce back in a few months to a year. However, multiple inquiries in a short period of time can do damage and make you look desperate to borrow money. Lenders are wary of anyone who seems reliant on borrowing money.

Additionally, opening a new account reduces the average age of your accounts, potentially further diminishing your score. Be careful about opening new accounts just as you need to be careful about closing old ones.

Although inquiries and average account age represent relatively minor factors in determining your score, it’s wise to exercise caution when applying. Wait at least six months between card applications. Personal loans are a different story. When you’re rate shopping for specific types of installment loans, such as mortgages or car loans, the scoring models recognize rate shopping as non-risky behavior. They may disregard some inquiries if they occur within a short timeframe, typically within a couple of weeks.

Bottom line

Remember that your current score is not set in stone. You can progressively raise your rating by establishing responsible financial habits. These habits include making on time payments, keeping your utilization rate low, and maintaining old accounts. Follow these rules and you’ll get a good rating. Of course, it will take time and you’ll need patience and determination, but it’s doable.

If you can’t wait for a higher score, you can access loans and cards now but they will cost you more. Visit MoneyFor to get all the loan and card offers no matter your rating.

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About the author

Rachel Alulis

Rachel Alulis has been the lead editor for Moneyfor’s credit cards team since 2015 and for the financial rewards team since 2023. Before joining Moneyfor, Rachel worked at USA Today and the Des Moines Register. She then established a successful freelance writing and editing business specializing in personal finance. Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and an MBA.

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