A 685 credit score is considered a good score! Having good credit means that you aren’t seen as a risk when borrowing money, and you’ll likely have a lot of financial agency!
A 685 credit score is considered a good score! Having good credit means that you aren’t seen as a risk when borrowing money, and you’ll likely have a lot of financial agency. Continue reading to learn more about the financial products and services a good credit score offers and tips to maintain your 685 credit score.
Key Takeaways for a 685 Credit Score
Overview of Your
Credit Rating
A 685 credit score is a good credit score. Having this score isn't the worst place to be, but there is room for improvement.
Borrowing Options With a
685 Credit Score
You’ll have access to various loans and credit products with decent interest rates! This can be a huge benefit!
Maintaining a 685
Credit/FICO Score
Maintaining a 685 credit score is possible; you must be extremely strategic and consistent with positive financial activity.
Is a 685 Credit Score Good?
As far as credit score ranges go, having your credit scores in this range is positive! And so, yes, a 685 credit score is considered good credit.
What Can You Get Approved for With a 685 Credit Score?
If you are considering a loan or credit card and have a 685 score, you should know that this average credit score is in good standing! You’ll have many options as long as the other requirements are met.
Personal Loans
Personal loans fall under installment loans and are great alternatives to payday loans. Personal loan options should be easy to get with a good score if you meet the income and other general requirements with loan approval.
Bank Loans
Bank loans are any loans that you can get from a bank. Usually, these lenders will have an average credit score requirement of at least a fair credit score, so with a 685 score, you should be in great shape. Here are some banks that you may be familiar with:
- Chase Bank
- Wells Fargo
- BMO
- Bank of America
Credit Cards
Here are some credit card options for borrowers who have a 685 credit score:
- Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card
- Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
- Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
Keep in mind each credit card has a different credit limit, and your specific credit limit will depend on factors like your income. Whatever you get, it’s important to be mindful of your credit card balance and make on-time payments for a positive payment history.
Car Loans
Car loans are installment loans that are used to finance the purchase of a new or used vehicle. There are all kinds of car loans in the market and it’s important to research your options. Those with a 685 credit score should be able to get through the credit score approval process with many lenders.
Products to Help Maintain a 685 Credit Score
Here are some products that can help you maintain your 685 credit score:
Self.
Self is a lender that offers an accessible and responsible way for consumers 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, securitized by a CD. If you need an easy and accessible way to build credit with a loan, Self. may be the option you’re looking for.
Debt Busters
Debt Busters is a debt relief organization that also offers full legal representation. Need a go-to solution for lowering monthly payments, debt consolidation, and avoiding bankruptcy? Debt Busters may be the solution for you. Check out their website today to see how they can help.
CreditStrong
CreditStrong offers safe and secure products to help customers build credit and get their financial life back on track. CreditStrong offers two types of accounts: installment and revolving. These accounts are a fusion of a savings account and either a secured installment loan or a secured revolving line of credit. Check out CreditStrong today!
Budgeting
Budgeting is a tool you can use to track your spending, debt, income, savings, and more. Essentially, you take a micro approach to be able to have a macro view of your finances. Which you can then use to manage your money better. This is essential to maintaining your good credit rating. Here are some commonly used budgeting strategies:
- The Envelope Method
- The Zero Sum Budget
- The Pay Yourself Budget
Savings
Savings can be a great tool and prevent you from taking on unnecessary debt, adding bad credit to your credit mix, and hurting your score! Here are some different kinds of savings accounts to look into:
- A standard savings account
- A high-yield savings account
- Retirement savings accounts
Benefits of a 685 Credit Score
Having good credit can be beneficial for various reasons; here are some perks you could look forward to with a 685 credit score.
Easy Credit Score Approval With Many Financial Products
A 685 credit score will mean general ease of approval with a variety of loan products as long as you meet the other requirements.
Favorable Loan Terms
With a good credit score, you can expect good interest rates, several loan lengths to choose from (if offered), and decent APRs. You may not get the best loan terms offered, but you should be in good shape to get favorable loan terms.
How to Maintain Your 685 Credit Score
A 685 credit score is a great range to be in, and if you want to stay here or improve things, there are things you can do to get to a higher range.
Keep Your Debt Low
Debt can impact several aspects of your credit score, from credit utilization ratio to your credit mix. And so, it is extremely important to keep your debt manageable and avoid acquiring unnecessary additions to your credit portfolio.
Pay All Your Bills On Time
Payment history is the most impactful factor on your credit scores, regardless of what model you are looking at. And so, to improve or maintain your credit score, it is extremely important to make timely payments. Even a single missed payment can hurt your score and be a part of your credit history and credit reports for several years.
Stay Updated on Your Credit Reports
Your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus have your borrowing history. Sometimes, mistakes can happen in these reports, hurting your credit rating. It’s up to you to track any changes and mistakes and correct them so they don’t harm your credit. That’s why it is important to check your credit report (from each credit bureau) often.
You can get your free credit score and free credit report from each bureau annually. Here is their contact information:
Credit Bureau | Phone Number | Website |
Equifax | 1-866-349-5191 | |
Experian | 1-888-397-3742 | |
TransUnion | 1-800-916-8800 |
FAQs About 685 Credit Scores
How does credit utilization rate affect my 685 credit score?
Keeping your credit utilization rate below 30% is crucial as it demonstrates responsible credit management, positively influencing your credit scores. High utilization can lower your credit scores, while a low credit utilization rate helps improve them.
Will an auto loan and revolving credit improve my credit mix and credit health?
Yes, a diverse credit mix, including a credit history that includes different kinds of accounts such as an auto loan and revolving credit, showcases responsible credit handling, potentially raising your credit score.
How often should I use a credit monitoring service to review my credit report and score?
Regularly using a credit monitoring service helps maintain good credit health by alerting you to changes in your credit report or score. Reviewing your credit report every few months is recommended.
What Interest Rate Can I Get With a 685 Credit Score?
Interest for a loan depends on several factors, like the loan type, the lender, and all of your financial information. So, it’s tough to be specific; however, you can expect to be in the good-interest range for whatever credit product you inquire about.
Can I Buy a House With a 685 Credit Score?
Regarding the credit score requirement with a mortgage loan, a 685 credit score will be passable with most lenders. You typically need a score of 620 at minimum.¹ Whether or not you qualify for a home purchase will depend on various other factors like your income, the home’s value, your ability to pay your mortgage, and more!
Top 5 Resources for a 685 Credit Score
References:
- What Credit Score Do You Need To Buy A House? | Rocket Mortgage
- Is 685 a Good Credit Score? What It Means, Tips & More | WalletHub
- 5 Best Credit Unions of 2024 | NerdWallet