No Credit Vs Bad Credit: What’s the Difference?

If you’re like most people, you probably think that no credit and bad credit are pretty much the same things. After all, both mean that you have a low credit score, right?

Well, there’s a big difference between no credit and bad credit – and it could mean the difference between getting approved for a loan and being turned down flat.

So what’s the difference? Keep reading to find out!

What Does “No Credit” Mean?

Most people know that a good credit score is important. But what exactly is a credit score, and how is it determined? A credit score is a statistical measure of a person’s creditworthiness, based on their credit history.

It is used by lenders to evaluate the risk of lending money to a borrower. A high credit score indicates low default risk, while a low credit score indicates high default risk.

Many different factors go into determining a person’s credit score. The most important factor is payment history. This includes whether or not the borrower has made timely payments on previous loans and credit cards.

Other factors include the amount of outstanding debt, the length of time the debt has been incurred, and the type of debt (revolving or installment). Payment history is the most heavily weighted factor, accounting for 35% of a person’s total score.

A “no credit” designation means that the borrower does not have enough data in their credit history to generate a score. This can happen for several reasons.

Perhaps the borrower is new to borrowing or has never had a loan or credit card before.

Let’s understand this with an example.

Suppose you are 22 years old and have just started working. You don’t have any loans or credit cards in your name. In this case, you would be considered a “no credit” borrower.

Or maybe the borrower has had a loan or credit card before, but it was so long ago that it’s no longer on their credit report.

Read More: Best Credit Card for Bad Credit in 2022

What Does “Bad Credit” Mean?

Credit scores are like grades. Most people have a general idea about what each “grade” means (An “A” is good, an “F” is bad, etc.), but few know the specific criteria used to determine those grades.

In the case of credit scores, creditors use complex algorithms to assess risk and assign a score ranging from 300 to 850. A score of 670 or above is considered good, while anything below that is generally seen as subprime. So, what exactly does that mean?

For starters, it’s important to understand that credit scores are not static. They can fluctuate based on any number of factors, including missed payments, maxed-out credit cards, and even things like Inquiries (requests for your credit report).

That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on your credit score and identify any potential red flags before they become a problem.

According to Experian, one of the major credit bureaus, approximately 17% of Americans have a “fair” credit score (580-669), while another 16% have “poor” credit (300-589). This leaves a little over 67% of Americans in the “good” or “excellent” range (700-850).

Let’s understand this with an example.

Suppose you have a credit score of 620. This would be considered “fair” credit and would likely result in higher interest rates on loans and credit cards.

A score of 720, on the other hand, would be considered “good” credit and could help you qualify for better terms.

So, what’s the difference between “no credit” and “bad credit”?

Simply put, “no credit” means you don’t have enough data in your credit history to generate a score, while “bad credit” means you have a low score.

The latter is generally seen as more problematic since it indicates that you may be a higher-risk borrower.

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. Some lenders may be more willing to work with borrowers who have no credit history, while others may prefer borrowers with bad credit but a strong co-signer.

It all depends on the lender’s risk tolerance and lending criteria.

Why Bad Credit Is Worse Than No Credit?

Bad credit is often worse than no credit. This may seem counterintuitive, but it’s quite simple to understand. A bad credit score indicates to lenders that you’re a high-risk borrower, which means they’re less likely to offer you favorable terms – or any loan at all.

Here is the list of problems, you will face if you have a bad credit score:

• You may not be able to get approved for a loan or credit card.
• If you are approved, you’ll likely pay higher interest rates.
• You may have a smaller borrowing limit.
• You may have trouble renting an apartment or getting utilities in your name.
• You may have to put down a larger deposit for a cellphone plan.

On the other hand, having no credit history makes you a risky borrower, but it’s not as big of a deterrent as having bad credit. This is because lenders have no way of knowing how you would handle borrowing and repayment if they can’t see proof that you’ve done it before.

As a result, they’re more likely to take a chance on you than someone with bad credit. So while bad credit can make it difficult to get approved for loans, it’s not impossible – and in some cases, it may be easier than having no credit history at all.

This is a list of problems you will face if you don’t have any credit history.

• You may not be able to get approved for a loan or credit card.
• If you are approved, you’ll likely pay higher interest rates.
• You may have a smaller borrowing limit.
• You may have trouble renting an apartment or getting utilities in your name.
• You may have to put down a larger deposit for a cellphone plan.

Read More: 8 Best Credit Cards for Students with Bad Credit

What’s the takeaway?

The bottom line is that both bad credit and no credit can make it difficult to get approved for loans and credit cards. However, bad credit is often seen as more problematic since it indicates that you may be a higher-risk borrower.

If you’re hoping to improve your chances of getting approved for a loan or credit card, it’s important to understand what lenders are looking for.

In most cases, they want to see a strong credit history with on-time payments and low balances. If you don’t have any credit history, start by opening a secured credit card or becoming an authorized user on someone else’s account.

Once you’ve built up some positive payment history, you can then begin to apply for loans and other types of credit.

If you have bad credit, on the other hand, you’ll need to take steps to improve your score before applying for new credit. This may include paying off outstanding debts, disputing errors on your credit report, and avoiding negative information in the future.

Share this post with your friends and family to help them understand the difference between no credit and bad credit!