No Credit vs Bad Credit: Which is Worse?
Updated on April 9, 2024
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If you’re new to the world of credit or you’ve made some mistakes in the past, you may be wondering – is no credit or bad credit worse? It’s a fair question. Both situations come with their own unique challenges when it comes to getting approved for
In a nutshell, you’re generally better off having no credit history instead of a troubled one littered with late payments, collections accounts, and other blemishes. However, both scenarios limit your financial opportunities, so working to build or rebuild your credit should be a priority.
Below, we’ll break down the specifics of having no credit and bad credit, including a deep dive into credit score ranges. We’ll also provide tips to establish or improve your credit standing over time. Let’s start by looking at what constitutes “bad” credit and its implications.
What is Considered a “Bad” Credit Score?
Your credit scores, calculated based on information in your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, give lenders a picture of how reliably you’ve repaid debts in the past. The most commonly used credit scoring model is FICO, with scores ranging from 300-850.
Here is how FICO credit scores break down:
- Poor: 300-579
- Fair: 580-669
- Good: 670-739
- Very Good: 740-799
- Exceptional: 800-850
A “bad” credit score typically refers to a FICO score below 580 or so. The lower your score, the less likely you are to get approved for credit and the worse the terms will likely be. Some landlords and employers also check applicants’ credit as part of background screenings.
VantageScore, another popular credit scoring model, categorizes scores a bit differently but works similarly:
- Very Poor: 300-499
- Poor: 500-600
- Fair: 601-660
- Good: 661-780
- Excellent: 781-850
The Impacts of Bad Credit
So what happens when you have bad credit? Several negatives may occur:
Higher Interest Rates and Fewer Lender Options
The lower your credit scores, the bigger risk you pose to financial institutions. That means you’ll likely pay punitive interest rates or have trouble finding a lender willing to work with you at all – if you even get approved.
Potential Difficulties Securing Housing
Many landlords check applicant credit reports and scores to gauge their financial reliability. Bad credit can prompt them to require larger security deposits, co-signers on your lease, or even reject your rental application.
Higher Insurance Premiums
Insurers often use credit-based insurance scores derived from your credit reports as a factor in setting premiums. If your credit standing is poor, you may pay more for coverage.
Employment Hurdles
While no federal law allows companies to check credit as part of the hiring process, some states permit it. Employers who do examine candidates’ credit see it as an integrity barometer. Bad credit could negatively sway their decisions.
As you can see, it’s in your best interest to increase credit scores mired in the bad credit range. Doing so expands your lending options, helps secure more favorable terms, and sets the stage for other opportunities down the road.
On the other end of the spectrum lies having no credit history at all. How do potential lenders view this scenario versus bad credit? Which situation usually leads to better outcomes? Let’s explore those questions next.
How Lenders View No Credit History
If you have no record of previously using lines of credit, you won’t have credit reports or scores for creditors to review. That uncertainty around how you might handle repayment of debts makes some see consumers with no credit as riskier bets. Without a positive track record, financial institutions have little evidence you possess sound money management abilities.
At the same time, having no negative information is preferable to a troubled history of missed payments and other derogatory marks. It signals past financial mistakes haven’t ruined your credit yet. Plus, you can start developing a positive standing right away through responsible actions versus trying to overcome existing damage.
Why No Credit is Usually Better than Bad Credit
Given the choice between bad credit and no credit, you’re generally better off with the latter. Let’s examine a few reasons why in more detail:
- Easier Approval Prospects
For the reasons outlined above, lenders often view first-time borrowers as reasonable risks despite no proven credit habits. After all, everyone has to start building a history somewhere. There are even credit cards designed specifically for those new to credit. Just prepare for higher interest rates and lower limits until you develop good standing.
On the other hand, financial institutions see demonstrated irresponsibility in bad credit applicants – hence their wariness. Needs like mortgages or car
- You Control the Late Payment Narrative
Late credit card or loan payments severely damage scores and credit reports. If you have bad credit, those black marks work against you when applying for new credit.
With no credit history yet, you dictate whether any late payments appear at all. Make on-time payments from day one, and you boost your approval odds for credit going forward versus overcoming preexisting delinquencies.
- No Need to Dispute Errors
Mistakes unfortunately happen even with stringent credit reporting procedures in place. However, if you have no credit history, there are no blemishes to dispute at the moment.
For those with bad credit, checking reports for inaccuracies from the three major credit bureaus is critical. Incorrect information drags scores down further. You must successfully dispute it to raise your standing.
- Time to Build Good Habits from Scratch
No credit means no bad habits to break. You can start implementing positive financial behaviors immediately rather than modifying existing detrimental patterns.
Examples include making monthly payments on time, keeping credit utilization low, and limiting credit inquiries. Meanwhile, someone with troubled history fights ingrained behaviors working against credit health. Creating new, constructive practices takes concerted effort.
Now that you understand the general pros and cons of no credit versus bad credit scenarios, let’s explore techniques for addressing both.
7 Tips to Establish Credit from Scratch
Don’t let the inability to check your credit stop you from building a bright financial future. Here are seven tips to jumpstart your credit history if you’re starting from zero.
- Learn Credit Basics
Before applying for your first credit card, make sure you know what credit actually means and how it works. Understanding core concepts like credit utilization, credit mix, and even how card interest works goes a long way.
- Check for Any Existing Credit Reports
You might assume you have no credit history, but checking your reports is the only way to know for sure. Use AnnualCreditReport.com to review files from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion once per week.
- Add Positive Payment Information
You build credit via responsible financial behaviors – like paying bills on time. Having accounts that report your timely payments can kickstart your score. Services like Experian Boost even let you add rent, utilities, streaming services, and more.
- Become an Authorized User
Ask a family member or friend with a solid history to add you as an authorized user on their credit card. Their positive card activity gets tied to your reports even without card access.
- Apply for a Secured Credit Card
Secured cards require refundable security deposits but help first-time borrowers establish credit. Just be sure yours reports to credit bureaus. Making on-time monthly payments leads to graduation to an unsecured card down the road.
- Explore Credit-Builder
Loans
Similar to secured cards, credit-builder
- Review Credit Scores and Reports Regularly
Keep tabs on your reports and scores often to ensure your new credit habits effectively boost your standing over time. Many credit card issuers also offer free credit scores, while lots of third parties provide credit monitoring.
Rebounding from Bad Credit
If you currently have bad credit, all hope is not lost! It will take diligence and breaking some old habits potentially, but credit scores are fluid. Here are seven tips on starting the credit rebuild process the right way.
- Obtain Your Credit Reports
Knowing what’s on your credit reports is critical – that data determines your scores. Check your files for free at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute any errors with the bureaus. Removing mistakes helps lift your scores.
- Pay All Bills On Time
Payment history is the biggest factor impacting your credit scores. Pledge to pay all monthly credit, loan, utility, or housing bills by their due dates (or early) without fail. Doing so demonstrates improved reliability to potential creditors.
- Lower Your Credit Utilization
This measure tracks how much of your total revolving credit limits you use at once. Below 30% is ideal, but the lower the better. Paying down balances relative to limits lifts utilization and scores simultaneously.
- Apply for a Secured Card
As mentioned regarding no credit scenarios, secured cards help establish or rebuild credit through responsible use. Make sure yours reports to credit bureaus for maximum effectiveness. Their lower limits may also assist improving credit utilization.
- Avoid Account Closures
Don’t close older credit card accounts as you rebuild credit – it skews your credit mix and lowers total revolving limits used to calculate credit utilization. Both factors influence your scores.
- Monitor Credit Habits Closely
Reverting to missing payments or maxing out credit cards is easier than forming new, constructive habits. Check credit scores and review related money management behaviors routinely to stay on track.
- Hold Off Adding More New Credit Right Away
Each credit application triggers a hard inquiry on your credit file. Too many inquiries in a short timeframe suggest credit desperation, negatively impacting your scores. Give applications a breather while scores climb.
No Credit or Bad Credit – Don’t Let Either Stop You
As outlined throughout this guide, both no credit situations and bad credit challenges make getting approved for new credit difficult. They limit financial opportunities central to everything from building savings or buying a home one day to getting reasonable insurance rates now.
Luckily, taking positive steps to establish or rebuild credit leads to noticeable score improvements in relatively short order. Enacting smart credit habits like making monthly payments on time and keeping utilization low ultimately transform credit standing.
While bad credit requires overcoming past mistakes, no credit means starting with a blank slate upon which to build. Either scenario warrants closely monitoring your credit reports and scores moving forward. You want to ensure your hard work pays dividends where it counts – your credit profiles with the bureaus.
Empower yourself through education and consistent effort, and you’ll be surprised just how high your credit scores climb over time. Don’t let poor credit or none at all stop you from securing your best financial path ahead!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does no credit history mean a credit score of 0?
No – you simply won’t have credit reports or scores generated. A 0 implies financial defaults or delinquencies much worse than an empty credit file.
- Why do landlords often decline rental applicants with bad credit?
Since their payment history demonstrates past struggles honoring financial obligations, landlords fear they may also have a hard time making timely rent payments.
- Does becoming an authorized user on someone’s credit card impact your credit?
Yes – the primary user’s card history gets tied to your credit reports even without issuing you a card. Make sure they demonstrate positive habits!
- How long do late payments or collections accounts impact your credit?
Negative marks generally show on your credit reports for about seven years from the first missed payment or delinquency date. Their score impact slowly decreases over time.
- Can credit card companies offer lower interest rates if you have bad credit?
Issuers do extend somewhat lower rates if you have fair credit instead of bad. But those with poor scores should expect to only qualify for subprime cards charging higher interest.
- Does getting denied for an apartment due to bad credit violate fair housing laws?
No – landlords can legally deny housing to applicants with credit scores below their set minimums. Still, ensure scoring models used don’t discriminate against protected classes.
- How long does it take to establish good credit if you start with none?
Allow at least six months for starter credit products to begin generating positive history. Give yourself closer to a year to reach a 700 credit score from no prior standing.
- Can banks offer credit cards requiring security deposits?
Yes – secured credit cards requiring upfront refundable deposits help higher-risk applicants build credit through responsible card use. They constitute legal credit products.
- Is there a benefit to telling loan officers you have no credit versus bad credit?
Not necessarily – underwriters likely assume you actually have bad credit unless proven otherwise. Lying could prompt them to dig deeper and discover blemishes harming approval odds more.
- How many times can you check your credit reports for free each year?
Thanks to recent legislation, every consumer can access their Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit reports weekly through 2023 at AnnualCreditReport.com.