February 28, 2009
What is Bad Credit Lending?
What if you need a bad credit lender? Do you know what one is, or what kind of credit is “bad”, in the first place? Well, for starters, standards for what constitutes bad credit can vary from credit bureau to credit bureau. It’s generally accepted, though, that credit is deemed bad when it sinks below a 500 score as ranked by the Fair Issac Credit Organization (FICO).
Credit Reporting Bureaus: All three of the major bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) have their own methods for generating a “FICO score” (pronounced “Fy-Koh”). Yet most of the time, all of them are within a dozen or so points of each other. These bureaus also take a lot of factors into account when it comes good or bad credit.
Lenders Who Specialize in Bad Credit: Most lenders of this type deal in the sub-prime finance markets. This means that any loans you take from from them can be a bit costlier, overall. But a need exists, because even persons of good character can run into challenging credit situations. In tough times, bad credit lenders can do a lot of business.
Sub-Prime Lending Rates: Also called, “sub-prime lenders,” these people or companies have to pay more for the same money they lend to you. As a result, typical interest rates go from several points above the normal prime lending rate to just under maximum lending rates as set by law. It’s always best to check with a few of these sub-prime lenders to see if you can get a better deal.
Lavish Service Fees and Rates: Watch that a sub-prime lender isn’t tacking on phony or excessive late fees or other charges. Also, watch for increases in interest rates with little or no notification from the lender. Still, honest sub-prime lending will always have a place in good times and bad.
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