FICO® Scores

Get your FICO® Score for free!

Your credit score is important. It can affect more than just your loan interest rates. That's why we want to give you access to your score whenever you want – all for free.

Accessing your score is easy. Simply log into your online or mobile banking and select FICO® Score from the Services menu. Please note that first-time users will need to accept the terms and conditions.

Will checking my credit score hurt my credit?

No, all credit pulls through digital banking are considered "soft pulls", meaning they will have no impact on your credit score.

Why is my credit score so important?

Everyone knows that your credit score can impact loan decisions, but did you know it can also alter your insurance rates? And that’s not all. Your credit score can also affect:

Your chances of renting an apartment
Whether you can get a cell phone contract
Whether you need a deposit for your utility company

What makes up my score?

More than anything, people seem to confuse what affects their score and what doesn’t. Here's what does impact your score.

Payment history: 35%
You can’t talk about credit scores without talking about payments. And it’s true – your payment history makes up more than a third of your score. Did you know that a single missed payment can stay on your report for two years? That’s why it’s vitally important that you make your payments on time.

Amounts owed: 30%
Credit cards don’t have to be a bad thing – as long as they’re used responsibly. In fact, how well you manage your credit limits has a significant impact on your score. In order to reap the benefits of your credit cards, try to keep your utilization low – around 20 or 30%. That means if you have a $10,000 credit card, you only want to keep $2-3,000 on it at any given time. The more available credit you have, the better.

Length of credit history: 15%
Good things come to those who wait. The longer you’ve been a borrower – and made your payments on time – the higher your score will be.

New credit: 10%
Constantly applying for new accounts in an attempt to boost your score can negatively impact your credit. In fact, the more hard inquiries and new accounts you have can actually harm your score. That’s because new accounts will lower your average account age, and multiple inquiries in a short period of time is a signal to lenders that you could be in financial trouble.

Credit mix: 10%
Credit cards are nice, but you need some installment loans to balance out your revolving credit lines, too. That means things like personal loans, auto loans, or mortgages. A healthy mix of credit signals financial responsibility to lenders.

What are the credit score ranges?

Depending on the credit agency, scores typically range in value from 300-850.

I'm worried about my credit, what can I do?

If you feel that you’ve fallen behind, help is available. Stop by your local office or call us at 800.242.2120. One of our representatives will try to help you work through your issues, or connect you with a credit counseling service.

We've dedicated an entire program to Wallet Wellness to provide members with free access to educational resources. Click here to learn more about our education initiatives.

FICO Scores FAQ

How do I check my credit report?

Because your FICO® Score is based on the information in your credit report, it is important to make sure that the credit report information is accurate. You may get a free copy of your credit report annually. To request a copy of your credit report, please visit: www.annualcreditreport.com. Please note that your free credit report will not include your FICO® Score.
Why do my FICO® Scores fluctuate/change?

There are many reasons why a score may change. FICO® Scores are calculated each time they are requested, taking into consideration the information that is in your credit file from a particular consumer reporting agency (CRA) at that time. So, as the information in your credit file at that CRA changes, FICO® Scores can also change. Review your key score factors, which explain what factors from your credit report most affected a score. Comparing key score factors from the two different time periods can help identify causes for a change in a FICO® Score. Keep in mind that certain events such as late payments or bankruptcy can lower FICO® Scores quickly.
Why is my FICO® Score different than other scores I've seen?

There are many different credit scores available to consumers and lenders. FICO® Scores are the credit scores used by most lenders, and different lenders may use different versions of FICO® Scores. In addition, FICO® Scores are based on credit file data from a particular consumer reporting agency, so differences in your credit files may create differences in your FICO® Scores. The FICO® Score that is being made available to you through this program is the specific score that we use to manage your account. When reviewing a score, take note of the score date, consumer reporting agency credit file source, score type, and range for that particular score.
What are Key FICO® Score Factors?

When a lender receives a FICO® Score, "key score factors" are also delivered, which explain the top factors from the information in the credit report that affected the score. The order in which FICO® Score factors are listed is important. The first indicates the area that most affected that particular FICO® Score, and the second is the next significant area. Knowing these factors can help you better understand your financial health over time. However, if you already have a high FICO® Score (usually in the mid-700s or higher), score factors are informative but not as significant as they represent very marginal areas where your score was affected.
Information for FICO® Score Source

FICO® Scores are based on the credit information in a credit file with a particular consumer reporting agency (CRA) at the time the score is calculated. The information in your credit files is supplied by lenders, collection agencies and court records. Not all lenders report to all three major CRAs. The FICO® Score that we provide to you is based on data from your Experian report ‘as of’ the date shown with your score.
Why is my FICO® Score not available?
There are a few reasons for this message:
- You are a new member and your FICO® Score is not yet available
- Your credit history is too new
- You've chosen to have a credit freeze on your file
- The information we have on file for you at Visions may need to be updated
Will receiving my FICO® Score impact my credit?

No, the FICO® Score we provide to you is performed using a soft pull and will not impact your credit.
How often will I receive my FICO® Score?

Program participants will receive their Experian score updated monthly, when available.
How are FICO® Scores calculated?
FICO® Scores are calculated from many different pieces of data in your credit report. This data is grouped into five categories:
- 35% = Payment history
- 30% = Amounts owed
- 15% = Length of credit history
- 10% = New credit
- 10% = Credit mix
Why are you providing FICO® Scores?

Nearly all lenders in the U.S., including Visions Federal Credit Union, use FICO® Scores, as the industry standard for determining credit worthiness. Reviewing your FICO® Scores can help you learn how lenders view your credit risk and allow you to better understand your financial health.
What Are FICO® Scores?

FICO® Scores are numbers that summarize your credit risk. Scores are based on a snapshot of your credit file at particular consumer reporting agencies at a particular point in time, and help lenders evaluate your credit risk. FICO® Scores influence the credit that’s available to you and the terms, such as interest rate, that lenders offer you.