If you are trying to secure financing in Newfoundland and Labrador, one of the first things a potential lender will look at is your credit. While you can absolutely get loans and financing with a subpar credit score, they might be harder to find and will likely be more expensive.

While it would be great if everyone in Newfoundland and Labrador had a good score and was able to take advantage of the best deals and interest rates, that isn’t the case. However, just because you have bad credit now doesn’t mean you are stuck with it forever. There are a variety of different ways to improve your credit quickly in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Check out this infographic for more information about your credit score. 

Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Score Ranges

But before looking at how to improve your credit, you should be aware of what constitutes a bad, a good, or even an average credit score. In Newfoundland and Labrador, along with the rest of Canada, you can have a credit score anywhere between 300 on the low end, to 900 on the high end. Thankfully, there are a few credit score ranges that can help you discover where you fall:

• Excellent (Scores 780+) 
• Very Good (Scores 779-720) 
• Good (Scores 719-680)
• Average (Scores 679-620)
• Poor (Scores 619-580)
• Very Poor (Scores 579- 500)
• Terrible (less than 500)

As you could imagine, the higher your score, the better types of interest rates and deals you will be able to secure from lenders in Newfoundland and Labrador. Generally, if you are at or near 800, you shouldn’t be overly concerned with getting your score any higher.

In addition to knowing whether you have a good or bad credit score, it’s also important to understand your credit report (click here to learn more about credit reports). Your credit report gives you a more detailed look at your credit and includes things like personal information, your credit history, cell and internet service accounts, any credit requests and more.

Need a bad credit loan in Newfoundland and Labrador? Look here.

Tips to Improve Your Credit in Newfoundland and Labrador

Now that you know where you fall on the credit score spectrum, you should better understand the sorts of loans you will be able to qualify for in Newfoundland and Labrador. If you find yourself in one of the middle or lower ranges, it could be beneficial to try and improve your credit, to unlock better interest rates and better loans.

Can you get a loan with a credit score of 450? Find out here.

While it might seem like a daunting task to raise your credit score from 450 to 700, it might not be as painstaking as you think. This is because there are several different things you can do to improve your credit.

• Watching how much you use your credit card. Preferably, your credit utilization should be under 30%. The less you use your cards, the more confident lenders will be that you won’t miss payments or get in a ton of debt.
• Of course, if you are carrying balances on your credit cards and missing payments, making these payments and paying off your credit card will help to boost your credit score. You should also be sure to make your payments on time.
• Accidents happen and there could be an error on your credit report. Simply checking your report for errors can be a good way to increase your score if an error is located.

Do You Know What Goes Into The Calculation of Your Credit Score?

Credit Building Products in Newfoundland and Labrador

While there are a lot of things you can do to improve credit, it isn’t always simple. However, if you are having trouble improving your credit on your own, there are a few ways you can get the help you need, including:

Secured Credit Card

While most credit cards are unsecured, a secured credit card is one that is backed by a security deposit. These are similar to a prepaid credit card that must have a certain amount deposited to them before they can be used. These deposits protect the credit issuer in case the borrower cannot pay their bills. So they are a great way to increase your credit and use a credit card, without it being able to get out of hand.

For more differences between secured and prepaid credit cards, check this out.  

Credit Counselling in Newfoundland and Labrador

This is a process or program that looks to improve your credit via furthering your financial education and understanding. You will work alongside a professional who will help you every step of the way as you look to improve your credit. Simply put, it can help you get on the right path or steer you in the right direction if you are struggling with your debt and credit.

Read this for further information about credit and debt counselling.  

Credit Rehab Savings Program in Newfoundland and Labrador

This program is a creative way to build up your credit and allows you to even save money while building your credit. It is very affordable, there are no fees to get started, and it can help you get access to better interest rates and loans.

To know more about credit rehab savings programs, click here.

Helping You Improve Your Credit Fast in Newfoundland and Labrador

Having bad credit can sometimes hold you back in life and can be a serious source of stress. If you are struggling with improving your credit in the way you would like, don’t hesitate to reach out to Loans Canada for help today!