All sorts of good things start to happen to people when they send their 594 credit score in an upward direction. Some of them are expected, while others can be pleasant surprises!
Eduardo M. found this out firsthand after we connected him with a certified, nonprofit credit counselor.
First, late payments and a collection account were removed from his credit report. Then, with the resulting increase in his scores, his credit card limits increased. His scores rose even further as his credit utilization rate dropped!
In 9 months’ time, Eduardo’s 594 credit score jumped to 699 – a difference of 105 points.
Why are high credit card balances so bad?
Having a high utilization ratio can hurt your credit scores – even when you make the minimum required payments on time every month. It also makes it increasingly difficult to qualify for more credit. In addition to the impact on your credit score, high credit card balances can increase your debt-to-income ratio (DTI).
Lenders look at your DTI ratio to gauge how much of your income is already tied up in debt payments. A lower DTI signals that you have room in your budget to take on more debt without overextending yourself. On the other hand, a higher DTI might raise red flags, suggesting you could struggle to manage additional monthly payments.
Can high credit card limits have a positive effect on your credit report?
Higher credit card limits might seem like a double-edged sword for someone who has dug themselves out from under a negative credit history. But with the lessons he’s learned from his credit counselor, Eduardo has the knowledge and the tools to use his new borrowing power responsibly. Plus, his original 594 credit score went up as a result. That’s what we call a win-win!
Read more credit success stories here.