Do lenders only look at credit score?
Isabella Turner
Updated on February 11, 2026
When applying for a loan, expect to share your full financial profile, including credit history, income and assets. If you’re in the market for a loan, your credit score is one of the biggest factors that lenders consider, but it’s just the start.
Can you have a credit score if you’re under 18?
Does your child have a credit score? Typically, only people over the age of 18 have a credit score — but it is possible for minors to have a credit report. A person under 18 can have a credit report if : Their identity was stolen and used to open one or more credit accounts.
Which credit score do lenders look at most?
FICO Score
For the majority of general lending decisions, such as personal loans and credit cards, lenders use your FICO Score. Your FICO Score is calculated by the data analytics company Fair Isaac Corporation, and it’s based on data from your credit reports. VantageScore, another scoring model, is a well-known alternative.
What do Lenders look at when they look at your credit report?
Khadija Khartit is a strategy, investment, and funding expert, and an educator of fintech and strategic finance in top universities. She has been an investor, an entrepreneur and an adviser for 25 + years in the US and MENA. What do lenders consider when they look at your credit report?
What should my credit score be to get a good loan?
Looking at what makes up your FICO score (which most people think of as “my credit rating ”) is a good place to start. FICO scores range between 300 and 850, with anything 650 or above considered a good credit score. If your score is below 620, you will probably find it difficult to borrow money at favorable interest rates.
What makes up 15% of your FICO score?
The length of your credit history makes up 15% of your FICO score. Having an established credit history is good for your credit rating. Opening a bunch of new credit cards in a short amount of time is not. When you suddenly open multiple credit cards, potential lenders can’t help but wonder why you need so much credit.
How does debt affect your chances of getting credit?
It’s a bit of a paradox, but the less debt you have, the greater your chances of getting credit. The principle here is similar to that involving payment history. If you have a large amount of existing debt, the odds that you will be able to pay it back decrease.