A fuller guide to this term is on the way. In the meantime, the related terms below explain the ideas around it.
Related Brickyard terms
- VantageScoreA credit scoring model created by the three bureaus as an alternative to FICO, also ranging from 300 to 850.
- Credit ScoreA number that sums up how you've handled borrowing, shaping the rates you're offered.
- Credit ReportA detailed record of your borrowing history, including accounts, balances, and payment behavior, kept by the credit bureaus.
- Credit UtilizationThe share of your available credit that you are currently using, calculated by dividing your balances by your credit limits.
- Payment HistoryThe record of whether you paid your bills on time, which is the single biggest factor in most credit score calculations.
- Credit MixThe variety of credit types you hold, such as cards, auto loans, and mortgages, which slightly influences your score.
Turn this into a brick
Knowing what FICO Score means is knowledge — the first half. A brick gets placed when you act on it.
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Plain-English education — not personalized legal, tax, or investment advice.