If you need to apply for a loan, it is possible to feel discouraged.

Credit reports with derogatory marks and bad credit are not uncommon. FICO April 2018 data shows that one in 10 Americans has a FICO(r) Score below 550. This is bad credit. FICO reports that 23% have at least one account in collections. This could have a negative impact on your credit score.

Your credit history shows how much you’ve used credit and how well you repaid it. It can be more difficult to get loans at low interest rates if you have bad credit. Good credit can make it more simple. If your credit score isn’t good enough to get a loan, what should you do?

Payday loans are a more costly option good or bad credit.

1. What is bad credit?

Different companies use different credit scoring models to generate credit scores. FICO offers many scoring models that lenders may use to assess credit applications. The FICO(r) base scores, or FICO(r), are 300-850. FICO(r),8 credit scores are used for determining credit ranges.

• Poor: 579 and lower
• Fair: 580-669
• Good: 670-739
• Excellent: 740-799
• Exceptional: 800+

FICO reported that the September 2019 average FICO(r) score was 706. However, those with lower credit scores than 670 might not be approved for certain types loans.

Bad credit can occur for many reasons. If you default on your payments, max out your credit cards, or have other negative marks like bankruptcy or foreclosure, your credit score can plummet.

2. Credit scores: Your credit score

This comparison will help you to understand how credit works and what credit scores mean.

You likely learned different subjects at school, such as English, math, and economics. Each assignment was assigned a grade, with an overall grade at its end. Your GPA is the sum of all the classes you took.

This is what will determine your credit scores and credit reports.

Your credit reports contain a complete list of all your owing money and information about how you have paid it back. Your credit scores will be closer to your grade point average. These scores are calculated from information in your credit reports. These scores help lenders to understand how you have handled credit in the past.

Credit is often referred to as a whole. Credit can refer to both your credit reports and your credit scores. When deciding whether you’re eligible for a loan, lenders will typically consider your credit scores and credit reports. Lenders often look at your credit score first to get a picture of your borrowing habits.

3. Who will lend bad credit customers money?

Lenders may have their own credit scores. If your score is below the threshold, lenders will not approve your loan request. While your scores might not meet the threshold, a lender may be more willing to review your credit reports in order to assess your credit history. Your lender might consider other factors when deciding whether you are eligible for a loan.

Different lenders may have different requirements for different types of financial products or types. FHA mortgages require that you have a credit score at least 580 to be eligible for the lowest downpayment requirement of 3.5 percent. Banks and credit unions will require credit scores of at minimum 600 to be eligible for a conventional mortgage.

Personal mortgage loans may not be available to those with lower credit scores than 500. Payday lenders may not consider your credit history, but charge high interest rates and fees.

4. What happens if I have poor credit?

You may believe that you have no other options than to borrow money, such as a car title or payday loan. These short-term loans aren’t subject to credit checks and could be appealing for people who don’t believe that they will be eligible for credit cards or traditional personal loans.

These loans can be extremely costly in the long-term.

These loans can have fees up to 400% which is an annual percentage fee. This is quite a contrast to a credit card which may have an annual percentage of 30%.

It might be a better idea to find lenders that will work with people with bad credit. You should have a budget and review the terms of your loan to determine if any fees, such as an origination fee, apply for.

Save money for big purchases and emergencies if you have the funds. This will enable you to concentrate on improving your credit score and not worrying about going into debt.

5. How much are bad credit loans cost?

Even if your credit is not perfect, you may still be eligible for a personal mortgage. However, you will be expected to pay higher interest rates.

Here’s an example that will show you how much you can get for more.

Let’s suppose your car has been damaged and you need a $2,500 personal loan. If your credit score is good (say 740 FICO(r),) a personal loan of $2,500 might be possible. With a monthly payment of $79.88, the interest rate will be 9.33%. Interest at this rate will cost $375.82 over the life of the loan.

Let’s suppose your credit score falls below 580. The interest rate you are approved for is 35.89%. Your monthly payment will be $114.35, and the interest rate for the loan term will be $1616.70.

This $2,500 personal loan will be paid over three years if you have bad credit.

6. Do you have bad credit? There are many options.

Bad credit does not have to be permanent. Most derogatory marks, such as late payments, foreclosures, and bankruptcy will disappear from credit reports after seven to ten year.

Even if you have filed bankruptcy, it is possible to improve credit. These are the steps you can take in order to achieve your goal.

First, check your credit reports. You can easily improve your credit score by disputing errors.

Next, learn about the factors that go into calculating your credit scores. These factors can be improved in order to improve your credit score. Paying your bills on time and paying off any debts, especially credit card debt, can help improve credit.

Bottom line

Bad credit can make it difficult to obtain a loan. It is possible to find trustworthy lenders that will work with you, even if your credit score is not good.

If you have poor credit, applying for a personal loan and making timely payments could improve your credit score. If you ever require it, this will help you build better credit.