A 665 credit score falls within the “fair” credit range.
According to Lexington Law, approximately 18% of all consumers have a FICO score that is considered “fair” (scores between 580 and 669).1
However, consumers with this particular score are on the brink of improvement and advancing to the “good” credit range. With some planning and by curating good credit habits, fair credit consumers can boost their scores and be well on their way to achieving financial security!
Key Takeaways for a 665 Credit Score
Overview of Your
Credit Rating
665 is on the higher side of the “fair” credit range. But, 665 is on the higher side of the fair credit range, so improvement is possible!
Borrowing Options With a
650 Credit Score
Borrowers with a 665 credit score may have access to basic loans and financial products. However, interest rates, loan amounts, and repayment terms may not be ideal.
Improving a 650
Credit/FICO Score
Consumers with fair credit scores can improve their credit by reducing debt, keeping their credit utilization rate low, diversifying their credit mix, and making timely payments to earn a pristine payment history.
Is a 665 Credit Score Good?
While a 665 credit score isn’t necessarily in the “good” credit range just yet, it’s extremely close. According to the basic FICO credit score model, consumers with scores between 670 and 739 are said to have good credit. That means by just boosting your credit score by five points, you can bump up to an entirely new credit tier!
What Can You Get Approved for With a 665 Credit Score?
Consumers with credit scores at or around 665 may have trouble securing the best interest rates or the most favorable repayment terms when applying for loans or lines of credit. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find approval for a loan! Check out some common financial products, and how likely consumers with 665 credit scores are to receive approval, below.Personal Loans
Personal loans are probably one of the most convenient types of loans you can get with a 665 credit score. This type of funding comes in many different forms, including installment loans, secured loans, and more. Furthermore, personal loans can come with high or low loan amounts, making them ideal for just about any financial expense. There are also personal loan products designed specifically for consumers working with less-than-perfect credit. These bad credit loans are meant to help consumers who are working on their credit history gain access to funding during financial emergencies. In some cases, these types of loans can even help consumers improve their credit scores over time!Bank Loans
Bank loans are similar to personal loans, except the lender is a local or chain bank instead of another direct lender. Something important to keep in mind about bank loans is that they are a very strict and traditional type of funding. Banks are usually only willing to work with good or excellent credit borrowers, and may immediately reject an application based on the borrower’s credit score alone. Therefore, it may be difficult to find loan approval or even affordable interest rates when applying for a bank loan with a 665 credit score.Credit Union Loans
Consumers with fair credit scores may have a much easier time finding approval for loans with a credit union over a bank. A credit union is a non-profit financial organization that provides loans and other services to its members. Credit unions are also run by their members, which means borrowers may have access to special perks and deals they wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. Be sure to check the requirements of credit union membership before applying, however, as many places have specific requirements potential members must meet.Cash Advances
Cash advance loans, sometimes called payday loans, are another type of funding that can help out fair credit consumers going through financial difficulties. These types of loans were designed to help connect consumers with some extra cash while they are waiting for their next paycheck. Because of this design, borrowers are usually expected to repay their balance in full by their next payday (approximately two weeks). It’s important to keep these short repayment terms in mind because borrowers who need more time to repay their cash advances are usually stuck with extremely high-interest rates that can make repayment even more difficult.Auto Loans
Auto loans are a type of funding meant specifically for helping consumers purchase a vehicle. Consumers can access auto loans from many places including direct lenders, dealerships, or even banks. However, the type of lender you go with will play a big part in determining loan details like your rates, terms, and overall loan amount. For example, consumers with fair credit scores may have a better chance of receiving more affordable rates and terms by going with a loan from a direct lender instead of from a bank. According to Lexington Law, consumers with a 665 credit score are likely to receive interest rates between 11.92% and 4.68% on a car loan.1Credit Cards
If you are unable to find a loan, credit cards are another financial product that may be able to help you cover your expenses. Credit cards are revolving lines of credit, which means borrowers have access to a renewed credit limit every month without having to re-apply for funding. According to TIME Magazine, some of the best credit cards for fair credit consumers are:2- Capital One Platinum Credit Card
- Mission Lane Cash Back Visa® Credit Card
- Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Citi Custom Cash® Card
- Citi Double Cash® Card
- Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum Card
- Avant Credit Card
- Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
Products to Help Maintain a 665 Credit Score
Self.
Self is a lender that offers an easy and responsible way for borrowers to establish payment history and build credit, while saving money, through a credit builder account. It’s a small installment loan, but the money is yours, and even securitized by a CD. If you need a credit-building loan, check out Self today!
Debt Busters
Debt Busters offers several debt relief solutions that also include full legal representation. Need a go-to solution for lowering monthly payments, debt consolidation, and avoiding bankruptcy? Check out Debt Busters today, and find out how they can help you get your financial life back on track.
CreditStrong
CreditStrong offers safe and secure solutions to help borrowers build credit. CreditStrong offers two different types of accounts: installment and revolving. These accounts are a combination of a savings account and either a secured installment loan or a secured revolving line of credit. Check out their website today!
Credit Monitoring
Credit monitoring services can be a great way to keep tabs on your credit reports as well as keep you informed about potential identity theft or other threats to your financial security. Check out some popular options below:
Feature | PrivacyGuard | Aura | Credit Karma | IdentityForce | Experian | MyFICO |
Price | $19.99-$24.99/mo. | $10-$30/mo. | Free | $17.99-$23.99/mo. | $19.99-$29.99/mo. | $19.95-$39.95/mo. |
Credit Bureaus | All three | All three | TransUnion & Equifax | All three | Experian | All three |
Credit Score Type | VantageScore & FICO | VantageScore | VantageScore | VantageScore & FICO | FICO | FICO |
Identity Theft Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited |
Additional Benefits | Identity theft insurance, credit reports | Antivirus, VPN, password manager | Credit report, insights | Identity theft insurance, mobile app | CreditLock, alerts | Detailed FICO score analysis |
Disclaimer: Please note that the details can vary and it’s always best to check the latest information directly from the service providers.
Budgeting Apps
Keeping your budget on track will be essential to making sure you can maintain and improve your credit score. You can keep things simple and map out your budget with an old-school notebook and pen, or you can track your finances digitally with any one of these budgeting apps:
- Goodbudget
- YNAB (You Need a Budget)
- EveryDollar
- Honeydue
- Empower Personal Wealth
- PocketGuard
Benefits of Improving Your 665 Credit Score
You’re On The Cusp Of Improvement
665 is just five points away from being in the good credit score range. With a few small improvements, you could bump up to the next credit tier in a month or less!
You May Be Able to Boost Your Score Instantly
With a score on the brink of improvement, there are a few things you can do that have the potential to boost your credit right away. First, check your credit reports for any potential errors. One small error like an incorrect balance may be what was holding you back from being in the good credit score range.
You can also seek out a credit limit increase to bump your credit a bit. By having access to a higher credit limit, you will in turn improve your credit utilization rate, which can help improve credit.
How To Maintain Your 665 Credit Score
Solidify Your Payment History
Making timely payments on your loans, bills, and other debt payments is the most important thing you can do to maintain a good credit score. Just one missed payment can bring your score down for up to seven years! On the other hand, maintaining a good payment history can positively impact your credit score by up to 35%.
Knock Out Debt
You may also find it helpful to hit the gas on your repayments a bit by contributing more than your minimum monthly payments due. By paying a bit more on your loans and balances each month, you’ll pay off your debt fast, which will help maintain and may even improve your credit. Added perk, paying off your debts early may also help you save money on interest rate charges!
Watch Your Credit Utilization Rate
You’ll also want to watch your overall spending habits to make sure your credit utilization doesn’t creep up and lower your score. A credit utilization rate is the comparison of how much available credit you have in your name compared to how much you are using. For example, say you had a credit card with a limit of $1,000. If you carried a balance of $500, your credit utilization rate would be 50%. To maintain a good credit score, credit bureaus recommend consumers keep their credit utilization at no higher than 30%.
Diversify Your Financial Portfolio
If you have your payment history, debts, and spending habits under control, you may consider diversifying your credit mix in order to boost your credit. Some credit accounts that may be beneficial for your credit are:
- Secured credit card
- Debt consolidation loan
- Auto loans
- Mortgages
FAQs About 665 Credit Scores
Can improving my credit utilization impact my credit history and FICO credit scores quickly?
Yes, optimizing your credit utilization ratio can have a swift and positive effect on your FICO credit score. Aim to keep your utilization below 30% of your total available credit across all cards, as this demonstrates responsible credit management to lenders.
What's the difference between applying for a loan or credit card with a 665 score at a credit union versus a traditional bank?
Credit unions often offer more personalized lending criteria and may provide lower interest rates and fees than traditional banks. With a 665 credit score, you might find credit unions more accommodating and willing to consider factors beyond your credit score, such as your membership history and savings accounts.
How often should I check my credit report to ensure my credit score improves?
Regularly monitoring your credit reports is crucial for catching errors or fraudulent activities that could harm your score. It’s recommended to check your reports at least once a year, but more frequently if you’re actively working to improve your credit score or if you’ve recently corrected any inaccuracies. Remember, you’re entitled to one free report from each of the three major credit bureaus annually.
What Interest Rate Can I Get With a 665 Credit Score?
Typically, the best interest rates are reserved for borrowers who have higher credit scores and good credit history. So, if you have a 665 credit score, it may be in your best interest to work on improving your score before you apply for any loans or lines of credit. Consumers with a good or average credit score will have a much easier time finding better interest rates and terms compared to consumers with a fair or poor credit score.
Can I Buy a House with a 665 Credit Score?
While it’s possible to purchase a house with a fair credit score, it’ll be important to research lenders and compare offers to make sure you get the best deal. According to MyFICO, a consumer with a credit score of 665 is likely to receive an APR of approximately 7.101% on a mortgage.3 There are also resources like the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) that specialize in helping poor or fair credit score consumers access mortgage loans.
