CNN Underscored reviews financial products based on their overall value. We may receive a commission through our affiliate partners if you apply and are approved for a product, but our reporting is ...

A five-step plan to improve your credit score in 2026 - ‘Credit is like a muscle, you have to use it to have it,’ one expert ...

Update October 28: Experian Boost® now lets you improve your FICO® Score with on-time streaming service payments. Starting today, July 27, consumers can now include their Netflix® on-time payment ...

Key insight: Experian combines credit, cashflow, trended, and alternative data into one underwriting score. Expert quote: Experian's Scott Brown suggests the model lets lenders "say yes" more often.

Discover how credit scores and credit reports differ, why each is important, and how they impact your financial life.

The average credit score was 715 in 2024, according to Experian data. That average, as of the third quarter of 2024, is unchanged from the same quarter in 2023. For 11 straight years, the average ...

When you’re applying for a loan, credit card or lease, knowing the difference between your credit score and credit report can give you some insight into how your lender or landlord views you from a ...

Here's the average credit score for Americans in their 50s, what it means for your finances, and how to strengthen your ...

According to recent reports, the average American’s FICO credit score is 695, the highest in a string of steady increases over the past several years. While considered a pretty “good” score, a ...

Katie covered all things how-to at CNET, with a focus on Social Security and notable events. When she's not writing, she enjoys playing in golf scrambles, practicing yoga and spending time on the lake ...