Credit Scores and Credit Cards

Understand what makes you creditworthy for loans and credit cards.

Learn About Credit, Credit Scores and More

Lenders look at your credit score and other factors to determine how much they’re willing to let you borrow. Learn more about how you can build and improve your credit score with these articles.

All Budgeting and Goals Credit: Score and More Family Finances Fending Off Fraud Paying Off Debt Personal Finance 101 Homeownership Retirement Student Loans

Credit Scores 101: Why They Matter and How to Improve Yours Why Does Your Credit Score Matter? A strong credit score opens up more opportunities — you can get a loan to help you buy a new car or purchase a home — and it helps you pay less by reducing the interest rate you pay when you do borrow money. When it comes to big purchases, a lower rate can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over time On the other hand, a poor credit score can lead to higher interest rates, increased insurance premiums, and limited access to credit, making it more expensive to achieve financial goals. Here are some of the biggest benefits of having a high credit score: Lower Interest Rates: With a higher credit score, you’re likely to qualify for lower interest rates on mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans. Lower interest rates save you money over time, making large purchases more affordable. Better Loan Approval Odds: A strong credit score boosts your chances of approval when applying for new credit, such as a car loan or mortgage, which makes major milestones more achievable. More Favorable Credit Card Offers: Many of the best credit cards, with valuable rewards programs that offer cash back on purchases and perks like travel insurance, require good to excellent credit. Reduced Insurance Premiums: Some insurance companies consider credit scores when determining premiums for car and home insurance. A good score means you could save money every month. Learning to manage your money? Explore our library of helpful guides, financial tips, and more. Dive in 7 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score Improving your credit score isn’t a quick fix, but with consistency and smart financial practices, you can build a solid score over time. Here are seven strategies to help you improve your credit score: 1. Pay Your Bills on Time Payment history is one of the most important factors in your credit score. If lenders know you routinely make payments on time, they’ll be more willing to lend you money and give you a better deal. If you have a hard time remembering to pay your bills before they’re due, consider setting up automatic payments or calendar reminders to stay on track. 2. Reduce Your Credit Card Balance Aim to keep your credit utilization ratio — or the amount of credit you’re currently using compared to your total credit limit—below 30%. That means that if your total credit limit is $10,000, your balance should ideally be under $3,000 to avoid a negative impact to your credit score. Whenever possible remember to pay off your full credit card balance each month. Not only is it great for your credit, but it also helps prevent you from accruing additional charges like interest or late fees. 3. Only Apply For Credit When You Need It Each time you apply for new credit, like a credit card or a personal loan, a hard inquiry is recorded on your report. Although a single application isn’t hugely impactful, it can temporarily lower your score — and multiple applications add up. Applying for credit sparingly can help you maintain your score or avoid a negative impact. Only apply for credit you truly need to, and try to limit applications within a short time frame if you’re applying to multiple lenders for a loan. Typically, applications for credit made within a 14-day period are all treated as one, so you can safely reach out to a few prospective lenders without fear of damaging your score. 4. Increase Your Credit Limit (But Be Cautious) Asking your card servicer for a higher credit limit can reduce your credit utilization ratio, even if your spending habits don’t change. Dropping below the 30% threshold is a step in the right direction for improving your credit score — however, it’s important that the higher limit doesn’t tempt you to spend above your means. Remember that you should treat your credit card spending the same as you would treat cash in your wallet. While credit cards have the advantage of being flexible in an emergency, it’s easy to rack up debt if you aren’t careful. 5. Diversify Your Credit While it may seem fiscally responsible to have only a single credit card that you routinely pay down, lenders like to see a mix of credit types. Multiple credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages all factor into the mix. Some apartment complexes and utility providers also report on-time payments to credit bureaus. Having a diverse credit profile demonstrates your ability to manage different types of credit responsibly. Of course, you also shouldn’t take on debt simply to prove a point! Don’t open new accounts solely for the sake of credit diversity, as it’s only a small piece of your overall score. 6. Keep Your Old Accounts Open The length of your credit history plays a role in your score. Keeping older accounts open, even if you no longer use them regularly, helps increase the average age of your accounts. Closing old accounts can reduce your available credit — which increases your credit utilization ratio — and shorten your credit history. Depending on the type of account, it may also reduce the diversity of your credit mix. All of that comes together to potentially lower your credit score. 7. Regularly Check Your Credit Report It’s important to know what’s helping and hurting your credit score. By understanding what’s dragging your score down, you can come up with a plan to improve your credit over time — and by keeping an eye on your report, you’ll know if any fraudulent accounts or collections appear. If you do have a collection on your account, remember that you can always dispute it. By law, you can get a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com. Put some time on your calendar each year (or more often!) to review your credit reports and come up with a plan. Need Help Building or Rebuilding Your Credit? Good credit can save you thousands of dollars over time. If you’re working to establish or rebuild your credit, a secured credit card can be an excellent tool to achieve your financial goals. That’s why we offer the First Bank Platinum Secured Credit Card, which is designed specifically for those with a lower credit score or no credit history. Accepted worldwide, equipped with fraud protection, and easy to manage through our online portal, this card gives you the flexibility and security you need to develop a strong credit profile. By consistently making on-time payments and keeping balances low, you can use this card to strengthen your credit and create new opportunities for yourself in the future. 6 min read

Fraud Protection Best Practices: When to use a Credit Card vs. a Debit Card Key Fraud-Related Differences Between Credit Cards and Debit Cards A credit card allows you to borrow money from a lender up to a set limit, with the expectation of paying it back later, often with interest if not paid in full. A debit card, on the other hand, directly withdraws funds from your bank account when you make a purchase, limiting spending to the amount in your account. Balancing credit and debit card use can enhance both security and financial stability. If someone steals your credit card information, they are effectively stealing the credit card issuer’s money, not directly accessing your bank account. This separation provides a crucial security buffer, giving you time to dispute charges without risking essential funds like rent or grocery money. In contrast, debit card fraud affects your checking account immediately, which can cause financial disruptions until the issue is resolved. First Bank Cardholders: Did you know that First Bank credit and debit cards offer Mastercard’s zero-liability protection? Whether you are using your First Bank credit or debit card, you’ll only pay for purchases that you have authorized on your Mastercard® card. Unauthorized purchases are not your responsibility. Instances Where a Credit Card can Offer Increased Fraud Protection Online Purchases Credit cards are generally safer for online transactions. They offer robust fraud protection, and most credit card companies monitor for suspicious activity, often reimbursing fraudulent charges quickly. Travel and International Transactions When traveling, especially abroad, use a credit card. Credit cards typically offer better fraud monitoring and reduced liability if your card information is compromised. Big-Ticket Purchases Use a credit card for expensive items like electronics or home appliances. Many credit cards come with purchase protection, extended warranties, and easier dispute resolution if something goes wrong. Recurring Payments or Subscriptions Credit cards provide better protection if you need to dispute unauthorized subscription charges, helping avoid interruptions to your service while the issue is resolved. Best Practices for Card Security Monitor Transactions: Regularly check both credit and debit accounts for unauthorized activity. Use Secure Websites: Look for “https://” in website URLs when shopping online. Enable Alerts: Sign up for transaction alerts for immediate fraud detection. Report Issues Promptly: The sooner you report suspicious activity, the better your chances of minimizing loss. Responsible Credit Card Use To maximize fraud protection while maintaining financial health, use credit cards responsibly by: Paying the Balance in Full: Avoid interest charges by clearing the balance each month. Staying Within Limits: Use only a portion of your credit limit to maintain a healthy credit score. Making Timely Payments: Pay on time to avoid late fees and credit score damage. 3 min read

Calculate your Balance Transfer If your current credit card isn’t meeting all of your needs, consider switching to a First Bank credit card. First Bank now offers the option to transfer your balance from your current credit cards to a First Bank credit card with no fee.* We even have a balance transfer calculator on our website so you can find out exactly how much money you will save by switching to a First Bank card. Save Money with a First Bank Card First Bank’s MasterCard credit cards feature awesome benefits such as: Rewards for making every day and monthly purchases.* Credit card access benefits like online customer service and 24-hour access. Security benefits like zero liability and ID theft resolution. Convenience benefits like a 26-day grace period and MasterCard Global Service®. Shopping benefits like price protection and extended warranty. With a First Bank credit card you can: Consolidate all your debt on to one card, with one easy payment. Save money when you transfer the funds from your old card to your First Bank MasterCard. Avoid the fee other credit card companies charge for each balance transfer. Calculate Your Savings Whether you are a current First Bank customer or a customer of another financial institution, you can save money by transferring your credit card balance to our First Bank MasterCard. We offer MasterCard credit cards for qualifying individuals and business owners. You can even use our balance transfer calculator to calculate just how much money you will be saving by transferring your credit card balance to a First Bank card. All you have to do is input your current credit card balances and rates, and we’ll tell you your new cost per month and your savings per month. *Credit applications are subject to credit approval. See our Disclosure Summary for complete details on rates and fees. ——— Sources: Nolo: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-credit-card-grace-period.html Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/z/zero-liability-policy.asp Mastercard: https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/consumers/payment-technologies/id-theft-protection.html Mastercard: http://www.mastercard.com/sea/consumer/global-services.html 2 min read

Learn Where to Get Short-Term Personal Loans Today Wondering where to get a short-term personal loan? At First Bank, we offer a selection of loan products that can help you conveniently pay off unexpected expenses or large investments in a shorter period of time. Visit your nearest First Bank branch today to get started. Personal Lending Options at First Bank First Bank offers several personal lending options and lines of credit to help customers pay off big expenses, such as car repairs, doctor’s bills, or unexpected expenses. There are loan officers available at all our branch locations to help you find the right option for your financing needs. In addition, the First Bank Platinum Credit Card with Rewards not only helps you finance your large expenses, but you can also earn rewards.* Benefits include: Every $1 spent on qualified purchases earns 1 point towards your rewards. 24-hour convenient access to your account. Online tools to help you manage your account. Credit card statements are available to download. Easily pay your bills online. Customer service available online. Zero liability for unauthorized purchases. Protection from fraudulent use with MasterCard SecureCode. 26-day grace period for no interest fee. Apply for a Short-Term Personal Loan at First Bank Since 1935, First Bank has worked with communities in North Carolina and South Carolina to lend a helping hand when it comes to financing. With our wide selection of personal and business products, we work to meet the needs of our neighbors with the selection of products you expect from a national bank at the convenience of your local community. For more information on where to get short-term personal loans, visit your nearest First Bank branch today. *Loans subject to credit approval. See our Terms and Conditions for complete details on our One Rewards Program. MasterCard, Debit MasterCard and the MasterCard brand marks are trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. ——— Source: About: http://credit.about.com/od/avoidingdebt/a/basics-of-personal-loans.htm 2 min read

First Bank Credit Card There are many benefits to having a First Bank credit card. Perhaps you’ve encountered unexpected expenses like a medical bill or car repair. Or maybe you don’t want to front a large down payment for an item and would prefer to pay in smaller installments. If you’re a small business owner, you could use some help managing day‑to‑day purchases. 3 min read

First Bank One Rewards Program: Learn More There are a lot of advantages to being a First Bank credit card holder, but the First Bank One Rewards Program is the most beneficial to you. By simply using your Platinum Rewards Mastercard® or Mastercard® Business Card with Rewards, you’ll earn rewards for qualified everyday purchases like groceries, gas, utilities, tuition, and more. 2 min read

Bank Rewards What if you had a card that gave you the ability to redeem points for what you want when you want it? How would you feel if those points could be redeemed for travel, experiences, gift cards to restaurants, retail and merchandise stores, donations, or even for cash back? 2 min read

The Impact of Home Ownership on Your Credit Rating If you’re in the market for a home, you’ve probably spent some time cleaning up your credit. After all of that hard work, you may wonder what impact a mortgage will have on your credit rating. 3 min read

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