Is 650 a Good Credit Score

650 is a fairly good CIBIL score if you are looking to take small loans. But having a higher score is strongly recommended. Read ahead to know more!

What is a Good Credit Score?

Credit score is a term that describes your credit behavior. It can range anywhere from 300 to 900. The higher the score, the more your creditworthiness. When you have a high credit score, it proves that you repay loans responsibly. 

A higher credit score gives you more negotiating power while applying for a loan and you can get a loan that meets your terms. 

Is 650 a Good CIBIL Score?

Yes, scores above 600 are considered ‘fair’, which means that credit options will be limited, but your loan can get approved.

Now that we have answered the question- is 650 a good CIBIL score, let us take a look at what a CIBIL score is.

CIBIL is short for Credit Information Bureau India Limited, and it is a company that provides credit ratings. The CIBIL is the most commonly used credit score in India, which is why unless mentioned otherwise, credit score stands for the CIBIL score.

But there are many other companies like Exparian, Fico, etc who provide credit information in India as well as around the world. 

CIBIL Scores and What They Mean

Now that we have understood what the CIBIL score means, it is time we looked at the range of scores in detail. As your score goes higher, it gets easier for you to get loan approvals.

These numbers are not absolute while applying for loans, because lenders also look at other criteria. It is possible for someone with a low CIBIL score to get a loan as well.

Tips to Improve Credit Score

Everyone wants to have a good credit score so that they can avail loans at low interest rates. Here are some tips if you want to improve your credit score - 

• Starter Loans

If you are new to credit, or have a low credit score, your best bet is to build your credit score step by step. You can take starter loans or small personal loans for that purpose. The interest rate might be high, but you can repay it in a timely manner to improve your credit score.

• Pay Your Dues on Time

This holds true for both your credit card bills and your EMIs. Missing EMIs or credit card payments has a negative impact on your credit score. If you are struggling to pay your credit card bill, consider paying the minimum amount within the due date so that your credit score is not affected.

• Say No to Too Many Credit Cards

Having too many credit cards makes it difficult for you to keep a track of your finances and pay the bills on time. That may pull your credit score down.

• Plan Your Loans in Advance

If you are planning to take a big loan, plan it in advance. Consider calculating your EMIs and tenure based on what seems comfortable to you. Unplanned loans may become a burden, and might lead to missed payments.

• Don’t Apply for Too Many Loans

Making too many loan enquiries at once may affect your credit score negatively. 

• Credit Utilization Ratio

Your credit utilization ratio is the ratio of your credit available to the credit utilized, which should ideally be kept under 30%. This involves calculating the total of all the credit cards you own. Exceeding this limit may make you look credit hungry.

• Try Not to Settle Your Loans

Settling your loans means paying an amount much lesser than the loan amount so that the debt is considered to be paid off. It happens when you delay payments, or have become a defaulter. This has the most negative effect on your credit score.

Conclusion

The score of 650 is a good one, but you can work on improving it. If you can cross 700, it will become much easier for you to get loans on affordable interest rates.

Having a clear idea of your credit behavior and monitoring your credit score are good financial habits. These will help you in the future if you are planning to take bigger loans to fulfill your life goals.