What kind of credit score is 813?
An 813 credit score places you among the elite group of U.S. consumers, far surpassing the national average. Approximately 23% of Americans have an exceptional credit score ranging from 813 to 850. These scores reflect exceptional credit management skills, including punctual payments and minimal credit utilization. Attaining such a score is the result of long-term diligence and consistency rather than quick fixes.
An excellent credit score makes you an attractive prospect to lenders. Financial institutions view this metric as a predictor of your likelihood to repay your debts. A higher score suggests a low probability of default, meaning you are seen as a low-risk borrower. Consequently, you will most likely qualify for the most favorable loan conditions and credit cards with premium rewards. This can include lower interest rates, higher credit limits, and access to exclusive financial products that are not available to those with lower scores.
Moreover, an 813 credit score can benefit you beyond just borrowing. It can positively impact your insurance premiums, as insurers often consider credit scores when determining rates. Additionally, it can improve your chances of securing rental agreements, as landlords frequently use credit scores to assess the reliability of potential tenants. To maintain this score, continue managing your credit responsibly by paying bills on time, keeping credit card balances low, and regularly monitoring your credit report for any inaccuracies.
Getting a credit card with an 813 credit score
Securing a credit card with an 813 credit score is typically straightforward. While there’s no such thing as guaranteed approval, you are highly likely to qualify for nearly every card on the market. Credit issuers are likely to offer you their best products, including cards with the most competitive rates, highest rewards, and top-notch perks. However, it’s important to note that many cards with premium rewards and exclusive benefits also come with expensive annual fees and higher interest rates. Now that you have an exceptional score, it’s crucial to figure out what perks you want and take the time to find the card where the benefits outweigh the costs.
When choosing the right credit card for you, it’s essential to understand the different types of rewards cards available:
Cash Back Cards:
Travel Cards:
Co-Branded Cards:
Premium Cards:
Business Rewards Cards:
Evaluating Premium Cards
Luxury rewards cards can be expensive, with annual fees often exceeding $400. Many also have higher APRs (annual percentage rate) to help the issuer pay for the rewards. Don't be simply tempted by high rewards, but look at the full cost of the card.
To determine if you’re getting the best deal, consider the following:
- Annual Fee: Calculate if the rewards and perks justify the fee. For instance, if a card offers $300 in annual travel credits and other benefits you’ll use, it might offset a $500 annual fee.
- Interest Rates: If you plan to carry a balance, even occasionally, look for cards with lower interest rates to avoid high charges.
- Sign-Up Bonuses: Many cards offer substantial bonuses if you spend a certain amount within the first few months. Make sure the spending requirement is within your normal budget.
- Rewards Structure: Choose a card that offers high rewards in categories where you spend the most. For example, if you travel frequently, a card offering extra points on travel-related purchases is ideal.
- Perks and Benefits: Evaluate the additional perks such as travel insurance, purchase protection, and concierge services. Ensure these benefits align with your lifestyle and needs.
With an 813 credit score, you have the leverage to choose from a wide range of credit cards. By understanding the types of rewards cards available and evaluating your spending habits and lifestyle, you can select a card that offers the most value. Whether you prefer cash back, travel rewards, or premium perks, the key is to find a card where the benefits outweigh the costs. Take your time to research and compare options to ensure you’re getting the best deal for your financial needs.
Getting a personal loan with an 813 credit score
An 813 credit score makes the process of securing a personal loan relatively easy, as you are seen as an ideal borrower in the eyes of lenders. This status typically affords you access to the most competitive interest rates and attractive loan conditions. It remains a good idea to familiarize yourself with the current rates, aim for prequalification to gauge potential offers, and secure the most advantageous terms. With such an exemplary credit score, you will likely pay less for a loan than someone with bad credit, whether it's for debt consolidation, a substantial acquisition, or funding a personal endeavor.
Where to Find Different Types of Loans
Banks:
Traditional banks are a common source for personal loans, offering a wide range of loan products with competitive rates. They often have stringent qualification criteria, but with an 813 credit score, you’re likely to be approved for their best offers. These banks provide the security of established institutions, personalized service, and potential loyalty discounts if you have existing accounts. With your excellent credit, you can benefit from the most favorable terms, lower interest rates, and higher loan amounts, making traditional banks an excellent option for your borrowing needs.
Credit Unions:
Credit unions are member-owned financial institutions that typically offer lower interest rates and more personalized service than traditional banks. They prioritize their members' financial well-being, often providing more favorable terms for personal loans. If you have an account with a credit union, you may benefit from their community-focused approach and potentially easier qualification criteria. This makes credit unions an excellent option for securing personal loans, offering both competitive rates and a personalized touch to meet your financial needs.
Online Lenders:
Online lenders have grown in popularity due to their convenience and fast application processes. They often provide competitive rates and flexible terms, making them an appealing option for many borrowers. Some online lenders cater specifically to those with excellent credit, offering attractive loan conditions such as lower interest rates, higher loan amounts, and expedited approval times. With their user-friendly platforms, online lenders simplify the borrowing process, allowing you to apply and receive funds quickly, all from the comfort of your home.
Loan Marketplaces:
Loan marketplaces allow you to compare offers from multiple lenders in one place, streamlining the search for the best rates and terms. These platforms enable you to view different options side-by-side, helping you make an informed decision without undergoing multiple hard credit inquiries. By leveraging a loan marketplace, you can efficiently identify the most competitive loan products tailored to your financial needs, ensuring you secure the best possible deal with minimal impact on your credit score.
Cash Advance Apps:
Cash advance apps provide small, short-term loans directly to your bank account, offering a fast and convenient solution in emergencies. Their easy access and quick approval process make them appealing for immediate financial needs. These apps usually have minimal requirements and don’t require a credit check, making them accessible to a wider range of borrowers. They do not charge interest but do have a few fees: a fast funding fee, flat rate fee, subscription fee, or optional tip. While the fees are minimal, they can add up.
Shopping Around and Prequalifying
Shopping around for the best loan deal is essential, even with an excellent credit score. Different lenders offer varying rates, terms, and fees, and prequalifying allows you to see potential offers without impacting your credit score.
When you prequalify, the issuer will do a soft credit pull and check your basic financial information to see if you meet their criteria. If you do, they will present you with an offer, including potential loan amount, rate, and terms. Your job is to compare potential offers and then officially apply for the best one.
When prequalifying, look for:
Interest Rates: Lower rates can save you a significant amount of money over the life of the loan.
Loan Terms: Flexible repayment terms can make a loan more manageable.
Fees: Origination fees, prepayment penalties, and other charges can add to the cost of the loan.
Loan Amounts: Ensure the lender can provide the amount you need.
Repayment Options: Look for options that fit your financial situation.
Reasons You May Be Denied a Loan Despite an Exceptional Credit Score
While an 813 credit score is impressive, and you're likely to get any loan you want, lenders also consider other factors. If you fall short of these other financial parameters, your application may be denied. Lenders also look at:
High Debt-to-Income Ratio: Lenders prefer borrowers with a low ratio of debt to income. A high ratio suggests you may struggle to repay additional debt.
Insufficient Income: Even with a high credit score, if your income doesn’t meet the lender’s requirements, you may be denied.
Too Many Existing Loans or Credit Accounts: Having numerous active accounts can indicate overextension.
Unstable Employment: Lenders look for stable employment history to ensure you have a consistent income to repay the loan.
Lender-Specific Criteria: Each lender has unique criteria that can affect your loan approval.
If you're denied a loan, take stock of your entire financial situation. Perhaps you need to pay down debt or stay at your job for a little longer before applying again.
Take your 813 credit score with a grain of salt
Your financial well-being encompasses more than just your credit score. Lenders consider additional factors such as income, job stability, and existing debt levels when evaluating your application. While an 813 credit score is undoubtedly commendable, it is just one aspect of your overall financial health. If your debt levels are too high, or you're applying for a lot of financial products at once, or you've recently moved and changed jobs, lenders are going to be less inclined to approve you. They like stability and reassurance that you will repay what you borrow.
It's important to give them that. Continue to be responsible with credit. You should also pay down debts and maintain stable employment to be a well-rounded and desirable candidate. By managing these aspects effectively, you enhance your overall financial health and improve your chances of securing favorable loan terms.
Tips for maintaining your exceptional credit score
With your credit score now in the exceptional range, safeguarding it from decline is key. The first step in doing that is knowing how scores are calculated. There are two main scoring models, FICO and VantageScore. Both models look at similar patterns of behavior and rate scores from 300 to 850. There are some key differences in how exactly they calculate your scores.
FICO Score:
- Payment history (35%)
- Amounts owed (30%)
- Length of credit history (15%)
- New credit (10%)
- Credit mix (10%)
FICO scores are the most commonly used by lenders.
VantageScore:
- Payment history (40%)
- Depth of credit (21%)
- Utilization (21%)
- Balances (11%)
- Recent credit (5%)
- Available credit (3%)
VantageScore is known for using different algorithms and can sometimes offer scores for people with a shorter credit history.
Let’s consider the key factors that got your score in the top tier to begin with and how you can keep it there.
Check Your Report
Regularly checking your credit report is crucial for maintaining an exceptional credit score. This helps you identify and correct any errors or inaccuracies that could negatively impact your score. You are entitled to a free credit report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus—Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax—via AnnualCreditReport.com. Reviewing your report also allows you to spot any signs of identity theft or fraud early. Ensuring all information is accurate and up-to-date not only protects your credit score but also contributes to your overall financial health.
Prompt Payment of Bills
Your outstanding score likely reflects a history of no late payments. Maintaining this record is crucial, as consistent on-time payments are the cornerstone of a high credit score. To prevent human forgetfulness, implement autopay or set reminders for upcoming bills. A late payment can severely hurt your score, especially when it’s high. If you do miss a bill, contact your creditor immediately and ask for leniency. On the first offense, they may forgive the mistake and not report it to the credit bureaus, helping to preserve your excellent credit standing.
Managing Credit Balances
The ratio of your credit usage to your total credit limit, known as credit utilization, should ideally be below 30%. With an exceptional score, you likely maintain a utilization of less than 10%. Keep this up to ensure your score stays in the exceptional range. Maintaining a low credit utilization ratio can be easier with a higher credit limit. Many creditors are willing to increase limits for consistently responsible customers, so consider requesting one. Alternatively, pay down balances ahead of time to avoid approaching your credit limit, ensuring your utilization remains low.
Account Longevity
The age of your credit accounts significantly contributes to your overall credit score. The longer you’ve had credit, the better, as it shows a history of responsible credit management. Keeping older accounts open supports a lengthy credit history, while closing them can adversely affect both your credit age and utilization ratio. To prevent issuers from closing inactive accounts, use them for occasional purchases. Consider closing an account only if it incurs substantial fees, understanding that the initial negative impact will lessen over time. Maintaining older accounts can help preserve and enhance your credit score.
Selective Credit Inquiries
New credit inquiries can cause your credit score to dip, so it's important to limit these inquiries by applying for new credit only when necessary. While a single inquiry typically has a minimal impact, multiple inquiries within a short period can signal potential financial distress to lenders. This could result in higher interest rates or even denial of credit. To protect your credit score, be selective about when and why you apply for new credit, ensuring that each application is strategically planned and truly needed.
Varied Credit Portfolio
Managing a mix of credit types, such as installment loans and credit cards, can enhance your credit score. This diversity demonstrates your ability to handle various types of credit responsibly. However, acquiring additional loans solely to diversify your credit mix is unnecessary for maintaining an exceptional score. It's important not to take on debt you don't need, as this can lead to unnecessary financial strain. Focus on managing your existing credit responsibly, making timely payments, and keeping your balances low to maintain your excellent credit standing.
Maintaining your exceptional credit score involves more than just a high score. It’s about continuously demonstrating responsible financial behavior across various facets of credit management. By understanding the nuances of how your score is calculated and diligently managing your financial activities, you can ensure your credit remains exemplary.
Next steps for your 813 credit score
Achieving an 813 credit score is a clear indication that you are a responsible borrower. This stellar rating qualifies you for the most favorable loan and credit card conditions, including lower interest rates, higher credit limits, and exclusive rewards. Yet, maintaining a strong credit standing requires ongoing attention.
First, periodically check your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus. This practice helps you catch errors or fraudulent activities early, allowing you to address them promptly. Correcting inaccuracies can prevent unwarranted drops in your score. Second, continue to keep your credit utilization low. Aim to use less than 30% of your available credit, with under 10% being ideal for boosting your score further. Third, ensure timely payments by setting up reminders or automatic payments to avoid missing due dates. Even one late payment can significantly impact your score.
By maintaining the responsible credit habits, you'll continue to enjoy the benefits of a robust credit profile well into the future. Regularly monitoring your credit, managing your debts wisely, and staying informed about your financial status are key to preserving your exemplary credit standing.
This content is general in nature and is provided for informational purposes only. MoneyFor is not a financial advisor and does not offer financial planning services. This content may contain references to products and services offered through MoneyFor marketplace.