What Is Flight to Quality?

What Is Flight to Quality?

Flight to quality, also known as flight to safety, is when investors shift their assets away from riskier investments — like stocks — into conservative securities – like bonds. This reaction often occurs during turbulent times in the economy or financial markets, and investors want to put their money into relatively safe assets.

Because flight to quality is a term that’s often thrown around in the financial media, investors need to know what it is and how it can potentially impact an investment portfolio. A flight to quality is a short-term trading strategy that might not be ideal for long-term investors. But it’s still important for investors to know how the broader trend affects the financial markets.

What Causes Flight to Quality?

Economic uncertainty is why investors look to rejigger their portfolios away from volatile investments to conservative ones. Moments of economic uncertainty that spook investors can arise for various reasons, including geopolitical conflict, a sudden collapse of a financial institution, or signs of an imminent recession.

A flight to quality usually refers to a widespread phenomenon where investors shift their portfolio asset allocation. This large-scale change in risk sentiment can generally be seen in declines in stock market indices and government bond yields, as investors sell risky stocks to put money into more stable bonds.

Though a flight to quality usually refers to a herd-like behavior of most investors during economic uncertainty, individual investors can make a similar move at any time, depending on their risk tolerance and specific financial situation.

💡 Recommended: Bear Market Investing Strategies

What Are the Effects of Flight to Quality?

During periods of flight to quality, investors trade higher-risk investments for lower-risk ones. This shift commonly results in a decrease in the price of high-risk assets and boosts the price of lower-risk securities.

As mentioned above, investors can see one effect of a flight to quality in the price of major stock market indices and bond yields, as the market shifts money from the risky stocks to safer bonds.

But a flight to quality doesn’t mean that investors will necessarily shift out of one asset (stocks) into another (bonds). For example, investors worried about the economy might sell growth stocks in favor of more reliable value or blue-chip stocks, pushing the price of the growth stocks down and boosting the price of the blue chips.

💡 Recommended: Value vs. Growth Stocks

A flight to quality may also shift investment from emerging market stocks to domestic stocks or from corporate bonds to government bonds.

In addition to moving funds from stocks to bonds or other assets, investors may also move money into cash and cash-equivalent investments, like money market funds, certificates of deposit, and Treasury bills, during periods of economic uncertainty. These cash investments are very liquid and will not usually fluctuate in value, making them ideal for investors that desire stability.

Real-World Example of Flight to Quality

A flight to quality occurred during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic and related economic shutdowns. Investors scrambled to figure out their portfolio positions in the face of an unprecedented global event, selling stocks and putting money into relatively safe assets.

The S&P 500 Index fell nearly 34% from a high on Feb. 19, 2020, to a low on Mar. 23, 2020, as investors sold off equities. But investors didn’t rush to put this money into high-grade corporate and government bonds, as many would have thought in a regular flight to quality. A record $109 billion flowed out of fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) during a single week in March 2020. Instead, investors moved capital into cash and cash-like assets during this volatile period in a desire for liquidity.

The Takeaway

A widespread flight to quality that creates volatility in the financial markets can be scary for many investors. When you see decreases in a portfolio or 401(k), it can be tempting to follow the broader market trends and shift your asset allocation to safer investments. However, this is not always the best choice, especially for investors trying to build long-term wealth.

Are you ready to invest and build wealth for the long term? You could start investing today by opening an online brokerage account with SoFi Invest®. SoFi Invest offers an active investing solution that allows members to choose stocks and ETFs without paying commissions.

Get started investing with as little as $5 with SoFi Invest.


SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

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What Is a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)?

A central bank digital currency (CBDC) is virtual money issued as legal tender by the central bank of a country. No major bank has issued a CBDC yet. However, it would be similar to blockchain-based cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin that have increased in popularity, only backed in a sovereign nation’s fiat currency: paper and coin currencies like the U.S. dollar and British pound. In other words, a CBDC would be a government-issued virtual store of value.

Fertile Ground For CBDCs

The year 2021 posted strong growth in digital assets in general and stablecoins in particular. According to the Bank of International Settlements’ (BIS) May 2022 publication — Gaining momentum: Results of the 2021 BIS survey on central bank digital currencies — crypto’s market capitalization grew by 3.5 times, swelling to $2.6 trillion in market cap. The BIS survey also found that, in 2021, nine out of ten central banks were exploring the pros and cons of digital currencies. And that approximately two-thirds of the world’s population could see their country issue a CBDC in the next three years. Further, BIS reported that developing economies are more apt than major economies to issue digital money.

Could CBDCs and Stablecoins Hurt Fiat?

The push toward digital currencies comes amid the greater possibility that private virtual currencies like Bitcoin could see even wider adoption in the near term. Some central banks and regulators view this possibility as threatening. They’re concerned that, if and when crypto gains traction as a common form of payment, it might erode the stability of legacy financial services. How could this happen?

If, for example, a director of a crypto project does not understand cryptocurrencies well enough to manage them — along with the high risk profile that most cryptocurrencies carry — then a financial disaster could ensue. Moreover, for an individual to be a leader in the crypto sector, it might behoove them to be a master strategist on the trading floor, too. The ability to execute complex trading strategies quickly and wisely can be critical for navigating the crypto market.

In 2020 and 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic further expedited a shift away from physical cash and coins. But that had been happening well before the pandemic with the advent of payment platforms like PayPal and Venmo. If the pace of adopting digital currencies continues, then that alone could pose a potential threat to fiat currency.

How Could CBDCs Work?

The details of exactly how CBDCs would function remain unclear. However, some outcomes of using CBDCs are already apparent.

As mode of Payment/ Store of Value/ Easier Digital Pay

As with physical cash, CBDCs could be stored or used for payment. They will also likely carry a unique serial number, similar to how paper notes and coins in a fiat-currency system do. Many CBDCs won’t be designed to replace cash anytime soon; instead, they’ll be used to complement physical money.

Could Expedite New Central Bank Monetary Policy

Currently, central banks already issue a form of digital money but only to other banks, which then lend that money to consumers and businesses. When people currently make payments or move money between multiple bank accounts, it usually goes through a patchwork of systems, often incurring fees for the parties involved and taking a couple of days for transfers to be completed.

Possible Democratizing Effect on Central Bank Money

Central bank digital currencies could potentially cut out the middlemen, lowering or eliminating fees and making transfers faster. For instance, a Bitcoin transaction typically takes less than 10 minutes. Instead of purchasing their CBDCs from an exchange, for example, consumers could hold accounts directly with the central bank, which would make these transactions faster. Having the option to purchase CBDCs also could democratize central-bank money by making it more accessible to all.

Potential to Minimize Role of US Commercial Banks

That means CBDCs could become a tool for monetary policy, giving central banks more control over currency supply and allowing them to better track the movement of money within the economy. Central banks also could possibly bypass financial markets and change interest rates directly on consumer accounts.

Exploring the Risks of CBDCs

Of course, CBDCs would be a disappointment to those who buy cryptocurrencies with the hope that a private decentralized form of digital cash, like Bitcoin, Ethereum or Litecoin, will one day displace traditional fiat. Some argue that CBDCs would mean an expansion of governmental oversight; that the anonymity that the most private cryptocurrencies (in particular) offer will continue to fuel their appeal.

Potential to Destabilize Existing Financial System

The emergence of CBDCs could also be a destabilizing force for the existing financial system. If consumers can hold direct accounts with a central bank, commercial banks could become drained of retail deposits. One potential solution to this problem has been to put a cap on how much you can hold in CBDCs, or not have central banks pay interest on retail deposits.

Possible War Against the Dollar

Another potential repercussion could be the start of a new kind of currency war. The U.S. dollar has been the world’s reserve currency since the 1920s. The rise of multiple sovereign digital currencies could challenge the current dollar-dominant system, making it less important for international trade and foreign-exchange transactions to be pegged to the dollar.

Central Bank Digital Currencies Worldwide

A CBDC-based financial system likely would pose unique advantages and challenges for each country that issues a digital currency.

But despite the challenges, most of the world has rushed to adopt central bank digital currencies. In its most recent survey, the BIS reported that the majority of the 81 record countries that responded to its 2021 survey either had developed a CBDC, are in some stage of piloting a central bank digital coin; and more than two-thirds of these countries likely would issue a CBDC in the near term. These countries cited the Covid-19 pandemic and escalating use of cryptocurrencies as among their reasons for embracing a CBDC.

Not every country has issued central bank digital currencies, including the United States. However, the U.S. does have numerous stablecoins that are pegged one-to-one to the U.S. dollar.

Why Has the US Not Issued a CBDC?

It will, if it needs one. Some in the United States have embraced the cryptocurrency sector and are trying to integrate it into its existing financial system. One key step in that direction would be for the U.S. to step up regulations for crypto to make it safer for investors and for cryptocurrency platforms to operate.

How About a US e-Dollar? Or, a Fedcoin?

At this time, the U.S. is actively researching the viability of incorporating a CBCD into its financial structure. But its approach is thorough and methodical. Along with being supportive of digital currencies in general, the U.S. is trying to ascertain its own need for a digital dollar. The U.S. Federal Reserve System (the Fed) — which is the central bank of the U.S. — has said it’s looking into different options involving digital currencies.

Key issues that the Fed needs to understand include protection from cyberattacks, counterfeiting and fraud; how a CBDC would affect monetary policy and financial stability; and how it could prevent illicit activity.

Fed Urges Prudence Amid Tenuous Financial Stability

In May 2022, the Fed released its annual Financial Stability Report . The Fed’s last such report was in November 2021, and since that time the United States’ economic uncertainty has risen. A number of factors are responsible for this unease, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, human and economic hardship, the pandemic’s improving though unclear trajectory, and persistent higher levels of inflation.

The Fed specifically cited concerns about stablecoins in the 2022 report. U.S. traders are using stablecoins a tool in leveraged transactions of other cryptocurrencies, which according to the Fed “may amplify volatility in demand for stablecoins and heighten redemption risks.” Therefore, the Fed is not ready to turn to central bank digital currencies, and had has continued to focus on regulating stablecoins. Also at issue is whether a country really needs both types of digital assets — stablecoins and CBDCs.

Snapshots of Other Countries’ CBDCs

In the rest of the world, adoption of central bank digital currencies seems to be thriving. The Atlantic Council is a nonprofit, which in 2021 launched its database, CBDC Tracker , which first only the Fed, now everyone can use to get the latest news about digital currencies globally.

As of May 2022, nine countries have issued CBDCs, and approximately 100 countries are at some stage of exploring them, be it researching, developing, testing, or launching. (Note: We chose the countries below randomly and cited them in alphabetical order.)

The Bahamas

In October 2020, the Central Bank of the Bahamas issued the world’s first CBDC, called the Sand Dollar. The Bahamas was the first country to issue a central bank digital currency that covered an entire country.

China

China first began exploring a digital yuan in 2014. In 2022, China launched a pilot of its current CBDC, called e-CNY, during the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. China’s approach is to run tests of e-CNY in smaller sections of the country before initiating it for the entire country. China’s program is designed to replace cash in circulation, not money held in long-term bank accounts.

But e-CNY won’t use blockchain technology for the central database. Instead, both commercial bank distributors and the central bank will keep their own databases that track the flows of digital yuan from user to user.

India

India’s government, Nirmala Sitharaman announced that India will introduce a digital rupee during its fiscal year 2022–2023, beginning April 1, 2022. The Reserve Bank of India will back this CBDC, which is now in development.

According to the Sitharaman, the CBDC would strengthen India’s economy, increase efficiency and lower expenses for the country’s currency-management system, and provide a stable, regulated digital currency that would compete with private cryptocurrencies.

Sweden

Sweden is another country at the forefront of moving toward digital currency. Unlike in China however, distributed ledger technology or blockchain was always the inspiration for the country’s electronic krona (e-krona), so it will be the e-krona’s foundation. Sweden’s central bank, Riksbank, is focused on securing new solutions that are scalable, and which would offer the same level of convenience and security that banks offer today.

The BIS estimated in 2018 that Sweden is the world’s most cashless society — and that was before the global pandemic. While many countries have witnessed a downturn in cash use, Sweden’s cash usage in the last decade has been more striking than most.

Even more remarkable is the year-over-year percentage change in Sweden’s cash usage during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, according to Riksbank, cash comprised 40% of the country’s point-of-sale payments; in 2021, that amount dropped to less than 10% — affirming BIS’ estimation.

The Takeaway

As of May 2022, nine countries have issued central bank digital currencies, and approximately 100 more countries are researching and exploring CBDCs.

Proponents of the CBDC argue that blockchain-based fiat currency could solve inefficiencies in the existing central bank infrastructure. Those more cautious warn that CBDCs could be vulnerable to hacks or outages. Meanwhile, enthusiasts of decentralized finance (DeFi) argue for a financial system that moves away from centralized authority, rather than one that expands its influence.

It’s yet to be seen whether CBDCs will usher in a new era of stable digital currency usage. So far, cryptocurrencies have been popular for trading in markets, rather than as a mode of payment.


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Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.

SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

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Complete Guide to Loan Protection Insurance

Complete Guide to Loan Protection Insurance

There’s always the concern that something could happen to keep you from following through on your obligations — despite your best intentions — whether it’s an involuntary job loss, illness, injury, or even death.

That’s why some lenders offer loan protection insurance, an insurance policy that’s designed to cover a borrower’s loan payments if they are unable to keep up with the commitment.

If your lender is making this optional coverage available for your personal loan, you may be wondering if it’s right for you. In this guide, we’ll go over some general details you should know about loan protection insurance and provide questions you can ask about the specific policy your lender may be offering.

Loan Protection Insurance Definition

Loan protection insurance is an insurance product that lenders sometimes offer borrowers with certain types of loans, including personal loans. The insurance makes the loan payments — up to a predetermined amount — if a policyholder can’t keep up with the obligation because of a covered event.

Recommended: What Is a Personal Loan?

How Does Loan Protection Insurance Work on Personal Loans?

When you buy insurance, your premiums pay for protection against a potential financial loss. Loan protection insurance is specifically designed to keep a policyholder from defaulting on a covered personal loan when an unexpected life event occurs. The insurer agrees to step in and make payments if the borrower makes a legitimate claim.

What Does Loan Protection Insurance Cost?

The cost of loan protection insurance could vary significantly depending on the type of policy you buy, how much coverage you choose, the state you live in, who you get coverage through, and other factors. Generally, the larger the loan balance is, the more it costs to insure it.

If you’re considering loan protection insurance, you may want to compare the cost of the policy to other types of insurance — such as life insurance, disability insurance, or supplemental insurance — especially if these types of coverage are offered for free or at a subsidized rate through your employer.

One way to reduce your costs, if the option is available, may be to pay the loan insurance premium in a single payment. The alternative choice, to roll the cost of your premiums into your monthly loan payments, may seem more affordable or convenient at the time you take out your loan. But with the latter option, your coverage could end up costing you even more, because you’d be paying interest every month on both your loan and the insurance premium.

What Are the Benefits of Loan Protection Insurance?

Loan protection insurance isn’t necessarily the right fit for everyone, but it does offer some advantages (especially if the policy is reasonably priced). Here are some benefits to consider:

Credit Score

Paying for loan insurance might be worth it if an unexpected hardship occurs and it helps you protect your credit score. A good credit score can play a big part in reaching your future goals — both financial and otherwise. It can make it easier to access credit at a competitive interest rate. And future employers, landlords, lenders, and others may make decisions about you based on your good or bad credit score.

Recommended: What Is Considered a Bad Credit Score?

No Missed Payments

If an illness, job loss, or some other calamity is threatening your finances, knowing your loan protection insurance is making the monthly payments on your covered loan could help minimize the stress. Instead of worrying about falling behind, you may be able to put more of your focus on taking care of yourself and your family.

Risks of Having Loan Protection

One big downside to loan protection insurance is that you might end up paying for something you never use. Here are some other drawbacks to consider:

Cost

Loan protection insurance can be expensive — especially if the lender rolls the cost into your loan payment and you have to pay interest on the insurance every month along with the amount you borrowed. If you’re already worried about affording your monthly loan payment, adding insurance could make it even more challenging.

Interest Rates

Though it lowers the lender’s risk that you might default on your loan, buying loan protection insurance won’t necessarily lower the personal loan interest rate you pay. If a lender tells you it will, you can ask for a breakdown of the loan’s costs with and without insurance to be sure you’re getting the full picture. Remember, the lender may be charging interest on both the monthly insurance premium and the loan amount, and that can make your loan more expensive.

Common Reasons for Being Refused Loan Protection

Because there are different types of loan protection insurance, and policies can differ from one lender to the next, it’s important to review the reasons your policy might not pay out when you make a claim. Some common reasons claims can be refused include:

Part-Time Employment

A policy may require that the holder be employed for a certain number of hours per week — typically at least 16 hours – to qualify for a payout.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

If you are unable to work because of an illness, injury, or other condition that existed before you purchased the policy, your claim could be refused. It’s important to be clear about which health conditions might not be covered under the policy — and to be upfront about any health issues you know you have when you sign up.

Short-Term Employment

If you are employed under a short-term contract, you likely won’t qualify for a payout if that employment ends.

Self-Employment

Some policies may exclude self-employed individuals altogether, or a policy may place restrictions on certain types of payouts. Self-employed workers might be able to make a claim if they become sick or disabled, for example, but not if they lose the work that provides their income.

Can Only Work Your Current Job

If you are unable to work any job other than the one you hold currently, your claim might be declined.

Is Loan Protection Insurance Required?

Loan protection insurance is optional. It’s illegal for a lender to force you to buy the policy in exchange for approving your loan. If you’re securing your personal loan with collateral (a car or some other asset), you may be required to ensure that property, but you don’t have to insure it through the personal loan lender’s policy.

If you feel you were incorrectly told by a lender that because of the purpose of a loan you wouldn’t be approved unless you purchased loan protection insurance, you can submit a complaint to your state attorney general, state insurance commissioner, or the Federal Trade Commission.

The Takeaway

Loan protection insurance offers borrowers a way to continue making their personal loan payments and protect their credit scores when an unexpected financial hardship occurs. But it can be expensive, and it isn’t necessarily a good fit for everyone.

You may find there are other strategies that make more sense for your individual situation. Some lenders may offer assistance programs for borrowers who are having trouble making their payments. Other alternatives that may cost less than loan protection policies are life insurance or disability insurance policies.

SoFi Personal Loans offer low fixed rates and no-fee options. And SoFi Customer Support is available to answer your questions and try to get you the help you need.

Check out all the benefits you can get as a SoFi member.

FAQ

Can you get protection on a personal loan?

Yes. Loan protection insurance is available for several different kinds of loans, including personal loans. Some lenders may offer their own assistance programs for borrowers who are having trouble making payments.

What is loan protection insurance?

Loan protection insurance is an insurance product offered by lenders for certain types of loans. The insurance may make payments on a covered loan — up to a predetermined amount — if a policyholder can’t keep up with their loan obligation because of a covered event.

Why should you get personal loan protection insurance?

If you’re concerned about making your payments should a financial hardship occur, and you want to protect your credit score, personal loan insurance can be an option worth considering. A lender can’t require that you enroll in the policy it offers. And there may be other payment protection strategies that make equal or more sense for you.


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Ladder, SoFi and SoFi Agency are separate, independent entities and are not responsible for the financial condition, business, or legal obligations of the other, Social Finance. Inc. (SoFi) and Social Finance Life Insurance Agency, LLC (SoFi Agency) do not issue, underwrite insurance or pay claims under Ladder Life™ policies. SoFi is compensated by Ladder for each issued term life policy.
SoFi Agency and its affiliates do not guarantee the services of any insurance company.
All services from Ladder Insurance Services, LLC are their own. Once you reach Ladder, SoFi is not involved and has no control over the products or services involved. The Ladder service is limited to documents and does not provide legal advice. Individual circumstances are unique and using documents provided is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice.


Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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What Is a FICO Score? FICO Score vs Credit Score

A credit score is one factor used in a lender’s assessment of your creditworthiness when you apply for a lending product, e.g., a loan, line of credit, or credit card. It can also be a factor in lease approval, new utilities setup, and insurance rates. You can have more than one credit score, depending on what credit scoring model a lender uses.

One type of credit scoring model is the FICO® Score, which is used in 90% of lending decisions in the U.S. Since it’s such a widely used determiner, consumers are wise to pay close attention to their own score.

What Is a FICO Score?

The FICO Score is a trademark of the Fair Isaac Corporation. It was the first widely used, commercially available score of its type. FICO Scores essentially compress a person’s credit history into one algorithmically determined score.

Because FICO scores (and other credit scores like it) are based on analytics rather than human biases, the intention is to make it easier for lenders to make fair lending decisions.

What Is the FICO Score Range?

FICO’s base range is 300 to 850: The higher the score, the lower the lending risk a lender might consider you to be.

•   Exceptional: 800 to 850

•   Very Good: 740 to 799

•   Good: 670 to 739

•   Fair: 580 to 669

•   Poor: 300 to 579

Recommended: What Is Considered a Bad Credit Score?

How Is a FICO Score Calculated?

There are five main components of your base score , each having a different weight in the calculation.

•   Payment history: 35%

•   Amounts owed: 30%

•   Length of credit history: 15%

•   Credit mix: 10%

•   New credit: 10%

About two-thirds of your base FICO score depends on managing the amount of debt you have and making your monthly payments on time. Each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion® — supply information for the calculation of your credit score, so it can vary slightly even if your creditworthiness doesn’t fluctuate.

The base FICO Score range may not be the range used in all credit and lending decisions. There are also industry-specific scores , such as one specifically for auto loans (FICO® Auto Scores), others for credit card applications (FICO® Bankcard Scores), and multiple FICO scores used by mortgage lenders.

Industry-specific FICO scores range from 250 to 900, compared to the 300 to 850 range for base scores.

What Is a Good FICO Score?

Strictly referencing the base FICO Score range, a “good” score is between 670 and 739 on the overall scale of 300 to 850.

But what’s considered acceptable for credit approval might vary from lender to lender. Each lender has its own requirements for credit approval, interest rates, and loan terms, and may assign its own acceptable ranges. Lenders may also use factors other than a credit score to determine these things.

Recommended: Average Personal Loan Interest Rates & What Affects Them

Why Is a FICO Score Important? What Is a FICO Score Used For?

As mentioned above, the FICO Score is used in 90% of lending decisions in the U.S. When a consumer applies for a loan or other type of credit, the lender will look at their credit report and credit score. If there are negative entries on the credit report, which may be reflected in a decreased FICO Score, the applicant may not have a chance to explain those to the lender. Especially in mortgage lending decisions, the lender may have a firm FICO Score requirement, and even one point below the acceptable number could result in a denial.

But what if you’re not applying for credit in the traditional sense? Your FICO Score is still an important number to pay attention to because it’s used in other financial decisions.

•   Renting an apartment. Landlords and leasing agents generally run a credit check during a lease application process. They may or may not look at the applicant’s actual credit score — landlords have a lot of flexibility in how they make leasing decisions — but they do tend to look at the applicant’s credit history and how much debt they have in relation to their income, factors that go into a FICO score calculation. A few late payments here and there may not affect your ability to rent an apartment, but a high debt-to-income ratio may. If you have a lot of income going toward debt payments, the landlord may be concerned that you won’t have enough income to pay your rent.

•   Insurance. One of the industry-specific FICO Scores is formulated for the insurance industry — auto insurance and property insurance. Insurers will typically look at more than just a person’s FICO Insurance Score, but it is one factor that goes in determining qualification for insurance and at what rate. The assumption is that a person who is financially responsible will also take more care when it comes to their home and car.

•   Utilities. You may not think of a utility bill as a debt, but since utilities like gas, electric, and phone are billed in arrears, they technically are a form of debt. “Billed in arrears” means that you are billed for services you have already used. Utility companies want to make sure that you will be able to pay your monthly bill, so they may run a credit check, which may or may not include looking at your FICO Score.

Recommended: What Credit Score is Needed to Rent an Apartment in 2022?

What Affects Your FICO Score?

We briefly touched on how a FICO Score is calculated, but what goes into those different categories? Let’s look at those in more detail.

Payment history (35%)

Do you tend to pay your bills on time or do you have a history of late or missed payments? Your payment history is the most important factor in the calculation of your FICO Score. Perfection isn’t necessary, but a solid track record of regular, on-time payments is important. Lenders like to be assured that a borrower will make their payments, and a past payment history tends to be a good predictor of future payment habits.

Both installment (personal loans, mortgage loans, and student loans, for example) and revolving credit such as credit cards can affect your payment history. Since it’s such an important factor, how can you make sure it’s a positive one for you?

•   Making payments on time, every time, is the best way to make sure your payment history is a positive one. Having a regular routine for paying bills is a good way to accomplish this.

•   Automating your payments may help you make at least the minimum payment on credit accounts.

•   Checking your credit report regularly for errors or discrepancies can help catch things that might have a negative effect on your FICO Score if left uncorrected. You can get a free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Amounts owed (30%)

The amount of debt you owe in relation to the amount of debt available to you is called your credit utilization ratio, and it’s the second most important factor in the calculation of your FICO Score. Having debt isn’t at issue in this factor, but using most of your available debt is seen as relying on credit to meet your financial obligations.

Credit utilization is based on revolving debt, not installment debt. If you’re keeping your credit card balance well below your credit limit, it’s a good indicator that you’re not overspending. If you have more than one credit card, consider the percentage of available credit you’re using on each of them. If one has a higher credit utilization than the others, it might be a good idea to use that one less often if you’re trying to increase your FICO Score.

Length of credit history (15%)

The percentage of this factor may not be as high as the previous two, but its importance to lenders should not be underestimated. As with payment history, lenders tend to look at a person’s credit history as predictive of their credit future. If there is no credit history or short credit history, a lender doesn’t have much information on which to base a lending decision.

Since the amount you owe is such an important factor in your FICO Score, you might think that paying off and closing credit accounts would have a positive effect on your score. But that might not be the best strategy.

•   Revolving accounts like credit cards can be a useful tool in your financial toolbox if used responsibly. A credit card account with a low balance and good payment history that has been part of your credit report for many years can be an indicator that you are able to maintain credit in a responsible manner.

•   Installment loans like personal loans are meant to be paid off in a certain amount of time. The account will remain on your credit report for 10 years after it’s paid off. Paying off a personal loan is certainly a positive thing, but paying off a personal loan early could cause the account to stop having that positive effect earlier than it otherwise would.

Recommended: How to Build Credit Over Time

Credit mix (10%)

Having multiple types of credit can have a positive effect on your FICO Score. Being responsible with both revolving and installment credit accounts shows lenders that you can successfully manage your debts.

•   Revolving accounts are those that are open-ended, such as a credit card. You can borrow money up to your credit limit, repay it, and borrow it again. As long as you’re conforming to the terms of the credit agreement, the account is likely to have a positive effect on your credit report and, therefore, your FICO Score.

•   Installment accounts are closed-ended. There is a certain amount of credit extended to you and you receive that money in a lump sum. It’s repaid in regular installments over a set period of time. If you need additional funds, you must take out another loan. A personal loan is one example of an installment loan.

Credit mix won’t make or break your ability to qualify for a loan, but having a good mix of different types of debt indicates to lenders that you’re likely to be a good lending risk.

New credit (10%)

Though lenders like to see that a person has been extended credit in the past, too much new credit in a short amount of time can be a red flag to lenders.

When you apply for a loan or other type of credit, the lender will typically look at your credit report. This is called a credit inquiry and can be a hard inquiry or a soft inquiry. A soft inquiry may be made by a lender to pre-qualify someone for credit or by a landlord for a lease approval, for example.

During a formal application process, a lender might make a hard inquiry into your credit report, which can affect your credit score. FICO Scores take into account hard inquiries from the last 12 months in your credit score calculation, but a hard inquiry will remain on your credit report for two years.

FICO Score vs Credit Score

These two terms — FICO Scores and credit scores — are often used interchangeably. More accurately, though, is that a FICO Score is one type of credit score, the one most often used by lenders when making their decisions. There are multiple types of credit scores, each of them using analytics to create a rating that illustrates a person’s creditworthiness.

The Takeaway

Your FICO Score is affected by how you manage your personal finances, whether that’s a personal loan, line of credit, credit card, or other type of credit product. Although it’s not the only credit score lenders use, it is the one used in the majority of lending decisions in the U.S.

A SoFi Personal Loan is one financial tool that can be used to add some variety to your credit mix. If managed responsibly with regular, on-time payments, your FICO score could be positively affected by having an installment loan like this in the mix. With fixed, competitive rates and no fees required, a personal loan from SoFi could be the right choice for your unique financial situation.

Check your rate on a SoFi Personal Loan


SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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