Credit Score

What Credit Scoring Model Does A+FCU Use?

Though A+FCU uses multiple models for lending decisions, we use VantageScore 4.0 to bring your credit score to you each month.

With the ability to score approximately 96% of the U.S. adult population, VantageScore is a key driver of equitable access to mainstream credit. By providing a fair and accurate credit score to a broader population, VantageScore gives us an opportunity to extend credit to more members.

How Can I Improve My Credit Score?

To improve credit, you must first understand the factors that influence your credit score. Though the terminology and weights are different across versions and scoring models, the factors remain relatively the same.

As you can see in the table below, making your payments on time and keeping your balances low are critical. Another component that helps your score is having mature credit accounts; the longer you have your accounts, the easier it is to identify trends and predict your behavior.

Membership required. To enroll in this service, you must be an A+FCU account holder enrolled in A+FCU Online Banking Services, a resident of the United States (or a United States territory), and at least 18 years old. VantageScore® will be delivered only to the A+FCU account holder and only if VantageScore® is available for the A+FCU account holder. In some circumstances, such as if your account is closed, charged-off, recently-opened, if you have a freeze on your credit, or if we are unable to verify your identity, you may not be eligible to receive a VantageScore® through this service. Terms and conditions apply and can be found here.

Credit Score Disclaimer
VantageScore® 4.0, which has scores ranging from 300 to 850, is a user-friendly credit score model developed by the three major nationwide credit reporting agencies, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. VantageScore 4.0 is utilized by certain lenders in the financial industry. Higher scores represent a greater likelihood that you may repay your debts; therefore, you are viewed as a lower credit risk to lenders. A lower score indicates to lenders that you may be a higher credit risk.

The three major nationwide credit reporting agencies mentioned above maintain a record of your credit history known as your credit file. Credit scores are based on the information in your credit file at the time it is requested. The information in your credit file may vary amongst each agency as some lenders report your credit history to only one or two of the agencies. Therefore, your credit scores may differ if the information on file for you is distinct. Since the information in your file may change over time, your credit scores may also fluctuate on a regular basis. In addition, different credit scoring models may also provide a different assessment of the credit risk or risk of default for the same consumer and same credit file.

There is a wide variety of credit scoring models that may be used by lenders and insurers. Your lender may not use VantageScore 4.0 for all products; thus, the score provided for certain products may differ from VantageScore 4.0. Your VantageScore 4.0 credit score may also vary from your score under other types of VantageScore models. Often times, your associated risk level may be the same even if the number varies. For some consumers, however, the risk assessment of VantageScore 4.0 may vary substantially from a lender’s score. If the lender’s score is lower than your VantageScore 4.0, it is possible that this difference can lead to higher interest rates and sometimes credit denial.

The credit scores presented in this Service are not FICO® scores and follow the VantageScore 4.0 consumer credit scoring model, which is not affiliated with Fair Isaac Corporation. The credit scores presented in this Service may not be identical in every respect to any consumer credit score provided by any other company.