Law firm survey finds that many don’t understand credit scores

Americans are expressing uncertainty about how to understand their credit score and about their financial future, according to a new survey by Lexington Law Firm.

The survey of 1,000 people, conducted in February, asked two key questions: whether the respondent’s parent had clearly explained how their credit score was calculated, and whether the respondent was confident that they would be more financially successful than their parents.

In both areas, the majority of respondents say no. The survey finds that:

• About a third (30%) of respondents strongly disagree with the statement “My parents clearly explained to me how my credit score is calculated and how my credit affects me financially,” while only 16% strongly agree.
• Less than half (48%) of respondents somewhat or strongly agree with the statement “I am confident that I will be more financially successful than my parents.”
• Of those who strongly agree that their parents clearly explained credit to them, 40% also strongly agree that they were confident they would be more financially successful than their parents.

“The results of our generational credit survey reveal a limited understanding of credit,” the law firm says on their website. “This lack of financial education often results in challenges with money management.”

Gender differences emerge

The survey findings suggest that there are differences in how people see these questions, based on their gender.

“Of those who strongly disagreed with both statements, 62% were women and only 38% were men, indicating that in general, women may be more dissatisfied with the credit education they received from their parents and more skeptical of their future financial success relative to their parents’,” the article says.

Male respondents also seemed to have more confidence in their financial future, the study says.

What parents should know about credit education

The article’s main point was that respondents who felt their parents had clearly explained credit issues to them tended to have more confidence in their financial future.

“…61% of those who strongly agreed they had little education about money at home also strongly agreed that they don’t expect to do better than their parents financially,” the article says. “[these findings] indicate the significant impact that a parent can have on their child’s financial future.”

Read more: Why understanding financial behavior is critical to achieving long-term financial wellness

The article includes tips for educating the next generation about credit. It noted that FICO, the top provider of credit scores in the U.S., has listed five main factors for determining scores:

• Payment history (35%): Whether someone pays bills on time and in full is the biggest component of a credit score. Most banks and credit card companies report late payments to the credit bureau after 30 days.
• Credit utilization (30%): This ratio compares a person’s total debt to the total amount available a person has. The lower the utilization, the better it is for the score. In other words, if someone maxes out their credit cards, their ratio will increase, and their credit will likely take a hit.
• Credit age (15%): Lenders like when people have several solid years of credit history. FICO recommended not closing old cards when they are paid off, since doing so will shorten a person’s credit history and likely have a negative impact on their FICO score.
• Credit mix (10%): Most lenders prefer to see various types of accounts in a credit profile. For example, it may be beneficial to take out a secured auto loan or mortgage in addition to any unsecured credit card accounts.
• Recent credit applications (10%): Applying for too many new accounts can have a negative impact on a score. If someone fills out too many credit applications within a relatively short period of time, this might hurt their credit.

The article concludes by encouraging readers to ask questions or challenge credit reports if findings seem to be in error, and to check credit reports at least once a year.