Credit Scores & Scoring Models (What Actually Matters)
A credit score is a risk tool lenders use to predict how likely you are to repay a loan. It affects approvals, limits, and interest rates but only if you’re tracking the right score. Many people monitor a score without knowing which model it comes from. Ask yourself: Are you seeing a FICO® score, a VantageScore, or a third-party consumer score lenders don’t use? Why this matters: 🔹 FICO® Scores are used by about 90% of lenders 🔹 VantageScore is widely shown for free but used by less than 10% of lenders If you’re optimizing the wrong score, your fundability won’t improve. No matter the model, always: ✅ Know which score you’re viewing ✅ Monitor your full credit file, not just the number ✅ Focus on heavily weighted factors especially on-time payments Fundability improves fastest when you work on the levers lenders actually measure.