553 Credit Score: Good or Bad?

Last Updated: Mar 23, 2023

  • A 553 credit score is considered "Very Poor"
  • Having a “Very Poor” credit score can cost you 1000s of dollars in extra interest over the lifetime of your loans
  • Call us today to find out how you can repair your credit (fast)!

Is 553 a good credit score?

As mentioned above, a 553 FICO® Score is considered “Very Poor”. This is typically a result of situations such as:

           
  • You’ve had payment problems (late payments, missed payments, etc)        
  • Accounts have been charged off & sent to collections        
  • Foreclosures or bankruptcy

Approximately 16% of all consumers in America have FICO® Scores in the “Very Poor” range (553-579).

With a 553 FICO® Score, you’ll struggle to obtain credit cards & loans. For the credit you do happen to secure, unfortunately it will come with extremely high interest rates.

How to improve a 553 credit score

To improve your credit score, you need to focus on fixing the underlying factors.

           
  • Always make your minimum payments, and ensure they’re paid on time        
  • Keep your credit card balances as low as possible (also known as a low utilization rate)        
  • Build your credit file by making sure the accounts you do open, get reported to the 3 major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian & Transunion)        
  • Only apply for credit when necessary, this keeps your hard inquiries at a minimum

Not sure where to start? A dedicated credit repair agency, like us, can work with you to ensure you’re maximizing all avenues when it comes to improving your score.

What can you do with a 553 credit score?

As mentioned previously, a 553 credit score is considered “Very Poor”. So your lending options are going to be extremely limited.

In most cases, your lending applications will be rejected. For loans/credit you are approved for, you will often need to pay extra fees or deposits, and you will have the highest interest rates.

What kind of interest rate can you get with a 553 credit score?

In most cases, your lending applications will be rejected with a 553 credit score. But in cases where you are approved, unfortunately you will pay the highest interest rate tiers.

These higher interest rates can cost you thousands of dollars in added interest over the lifetime of your loans, in comparison to if you had a “Good” credit score.

We highly recommend you take the necessary steps towards repairing your credit, and securing a better financial future for yourself.

Navigating Credit Scores for a Brighter Financial Future

Your credit score is an important factor for financial success and can have a significant impact on your creditworthiness. It's a three-digit number that considers your payment history, credit utilization, and the length of your credit history among other factors. By understanding how it works, you can make better financial decisions and increase your chances of getting approved for loans and credit cards with favorable terms.

Whether you're looking to buy a home, finance a car, or open a new account, understanding your credit score can help you get approved quicker and prevent any surprises when applying for credit. Take the time to learn more about how it works and what steps you can take to improve it, because having good credit is essential for financial success.

Tips to Boost Your Credit Score Above 100 Points

Improving your credit score may seem like an intimidating task, but it is definitely achievable with patience and diligence. Start by examining your credit report for mistakes and rectifying any inaccuracies. Then work on reducing your debts and keeping a low credit utilization rate. Set up automatic payments and alerts to prevent any missed payments. Becoming an authorized user on another individual's credit card could also help boost your score. Remember, building or enhancing your credit takes time, but the rewards of having a good credit score are worth the effort.

Need help improving your credit score?

Can I get a mortgage/home loan with a 553 credit score?

The chances of securing a mortgage with a 553 credit score are extremely low unfortunately. Is it possible? Maybe, but it generally isn’t a wise idea with such a low credit score.

Why? Because you’ll end up paying thousands of dollars in extra interest over the life of the loan.

Instead, we recommend focussing on improving your credit score, to at least 580-669 (which is considered “Fair”, or ideally 670+. Once you’ve increased your score, you’ll be in a much better place to apply for a mortgage.

Can I get a car loan with a 553 credit score?

With a 553 credit score, you’ll be considered a “deep subprime borrower”, which is the lowest credit tier. There may still be auto loan options for you, but they’ll be a lot more difficult to come by, and you will pay higher interest rates.

Can I get a personal loan with a 553 credit score?

Unfortunately the theme continues here, with a 553 credit score, it is going to be difficult to obtain a personal loan (at least one with good interest rates). You may be tempted to deal with lenders that have a poor reputation, but we urge you not to.

The best thing to do is focus on improving your credit score, to the “Fair” range (between 580-669), which will put you in a significantly better position when it comes to applying for loans/credit.

Bottom Line

Let’s face it, a 553 credit score is not good. Applying for any forms of lending will be very difficult & expensive.

You’ll pay higher interest rates, and often have substantial fees.

The best course of action (by far), is to improve your credit score first before you apply for loans. Not only will it open more doors for you, it will also save you a ton of money in the long run (due to lower interest rates).

Need help improving your credit score?

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