Glossary

Credit Score Tier

Lender categorization of credit-score ranges: poor, fair, good, very good, exceptional.

Lenders typically classify FICO scores into credit-score tiers: poor (300-579), fair (580-669), good (670-739), very good (740-799), exceptional (800-850). Loan rates and approval criteria step at tier boundaries.

Crossing a tier boundary often produces immediate financial benefit — moving from 619 to 621 unlocks substantially better mortgage rates. Targeting tier breakpoints is more practical than chasing maximum-possible score.

Also called

credit score range

Related terms

FICO Score

The credit score model developed by Fair Isaac Corporation. Used by 90%+ of U.S. lenders.

VantageScore

The credit score model developed jointly by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

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