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Credit Rating News

Banks' ratings stable, says S

26 November 2009

RATINGS agency Standard & Poor's has moved to calm concerns over the balance sheet strength of Australia's banks following an overhaul in the way it measures risk and capital... read full story

Suncorp warns on funds guarantee

17 October 2009

SUNCORP-METWAY has called on the Rudd Government to retain the wholesale funding guarantee into the new year, warning it is too early to cut the program as global credit markets remain fragile... read full story

NAB arm may need capital injection

29 July 2009

ANALYSTS fear National Australia Bank could be forced to tip more capital into its Clydesdale Bank in Britain after the subsidiary lost its long cherished AA- credit rating because of a souring outlook for the British banking market... read full story


How can You Get Good Credit Rating?

What is credit rating? How can it affect your life?

Credit rating is a means used in evaluating a person or a corporation's creditworthiness as a loan borrower. This paves way to the analysis of the borrower's credit score. The rating is computed based from all previous and current financial liabilities, assets, and financial commitments of the loan applicant.

Creditors require a credit checking to all of their clients because it tells them how well the borrowers can qualify for the loan being applied for. But in the past years, the credit ratings have been also utilized in specifying one's employment qualifications, adjusting the premiums of insurance, and in structuring the value of any leasing amount.

If you come up with an unimpressive credit rating, then the riskier it is for you to get disqualified from future loan grants. Also, high interest rates will be assigned to you.

Good Credit Rating Described

The process that is utilized by the creditors in the attempt of determining the possibility of approving your loan is known as credit scoring. Among the factors that affect your credit rating are the properties that you own, your promptness in paying your financial obligations, your monthly income, and employment status as well. If these factors are quite impressive, then your lender assigns you with a higher credit score.

It follows that the system with credit scoring varies from one creditor to another. They have different levels of experiences when it comes to their clients. Thus, they weigh the factors in the borrowers' credit rating according to the possible risks attributed with their credit rating.

Below is the range of credit scores that are typically awarded by the creditors.

  • A score between 700 to 800 means Excellent or Very Good;
  • A score between 680 to 699 stands for Good Credit;
  • A score between 620 to 679 refers to Okay or an Average Credit;
  • A score between 580 to 619 means Low Credit;
  • A score between 500 to 580 shows Poor Credit, and
  • A score between 300 to 499 reveals Bad Credit.

You are lucky enough if your credit rating falls between the categories of average and excellent. But if it is the other way around, then applying for loans will certainly become so much of a pain in your neck.

Enhancing Your Credit Score

Accept it; the world where you live in is a place wherein your credibility matters a lot. This is all about being true to your word and in many cases; your word of honour must extend to your capacity of facing your financial responsibilities. You can't easily convince a landlord to allow you to lease an apartment if he knows that you don't have any resources to pay for the rent. Likewise, a creditor can't risk granting you a loan if he knows that your credit rating is suffering. With a totally messed up credit rating, it is as if you are stripped off with the several possibilities of purchasing things. Yes, there are creditors who intend to help out individuals with bad credit rating, but then again, they need to get some assurance. It is either they require a collateral, assign escalating interest fees, or both.

You must have realized now that your credit rating must be as clean as a new slate. As much as possible, you must not commit mistakes that will eventually lead to a ruined credit rating. But if you can no longer turn back time, it is important that you make amends for your faults. Don't let your credit rating suffer all the more. You have to cut off other incoming bad credit reports before they totally leave you in misery. Here are some ways that will guide you:

  • Get a frequent update of your credit record;
  • Pay your monthly dues on time;
  • Never attempt to miss any payment;
  • Don't breach financial contracts; and
  • Don't make other purchases which you can't afford to repay.

The more frequent you commit these mistakes, the more bad credit reports your credit rating will receive. But, by following these important guidelines, you are on your way of improving your bad credit score. A bad credit is not something to be proud of. Rather, you should understand that a poor credit rating can tremendously affect your life and your future. This is not something that you must ignore because this concerns your name and your reputation. As long as time allows you to do so, improve your credit ratings now. After all, it is now or never.

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