A credit score is a numerical worth appointed to all borrowers, representing a person’s capability to repay a loan. This score converts the information on your credit report into an actual number that lenders use and measure once creating credit decisions and accepting new borrowers.
Your credit score paves the way to significant milestones in your life. Lenders evaluate your credit score before approving your credit cards, car loans, mortgages, etc. hence it is crucial to know your credit score before applying for assistance.
Generally, individuals with a credit score below 650 might have some problem getting new credit, so your goal ought to be to possess a credit score of 680 or more, which brings us to the point of having a High Credit Score.
If you fall under the category of those with a low credit score, don’t get discouraged. It is feasible to boost your credit score. Your score will increase or decrease depending on several factors and, most importantly, your financial behavior.
What’s the highest Credit Score in Canada?
In Canada, your credit scores usually vary from 300 to 900. The higher the score, the better. High scores might indicate that you’re less likely to neglect your repayments if you take out a loan.
Below you’ll see a general breakdown of credit score varieties and what every range suggests in terms of your general ability to qualify for disposal or credit requests, like a loan or mortgage.
Note that the ranges will vary slightly depending on the lender. The simplest way to know where your scores stand is to check your credit report. Below is the credit score range in Canada:
- 800 – 900 – Highest Credit Score
This is considered the highest credit score in Canada, and not many Canadians get here as over 70% of Canadian Families owe one or more forms of debt. However, a certain number of individuals and businesses had achieved this flawless state of credit score.
- 720 – 799 – Excellent Credit Score
You’ve got excellent credit, although not the highest. You should expect to possess a range of credit choices to choose from; therefore, continue your healthy money habits.
- 650 – 719 – Good Credit Score
This can be thought of to be a sensible range to lenders; this range is the generally accepted average credit score for the average Canadian. However, you will not qualify for all-time low-interest rates available; however, keep your credit history robust to help build your credit health.
- 600 – 649 – Average Credit Score
This is an average credit score. History of debt repayment is necessary to demonstrate your definite sense of monetary responsibility.
- 300 – 599 – Poor Credit Score
This is not a healthy credit score. You can work on it by being financially responsible. Having a healthy credit score will open money doors and certify you have got access to credit products and loans in the future when you want them.
It’s vital to remember that whereas a healthy credit score is critical, it’s not a great idea to become hooked on having an ideal score. It can be very exhausting trying to always maintain a high credit score. A better habit would be to focus on the general health of your finances, and your credit score can mirror that. Find out a way to increase your credit score while not increasing your debt.
According to TransUnion (one of the two main credit news bureaus in Canada), the typical Canadian credit score is around 650. Based on the credit score ranges, we mentioned above, most Canadians have average to fair credit scores.
This implies that many Canadians across the country shouldn’t have any hassle obtaining approval for the loans and credit products they have, whether or not it’s a mortgage or a consumer loan.
Canadian Cities with the Highest Credit Score
| Canadian Cities | Average Credit Score |
| Markham, ON | 708 |
| Montreal, QC | 692 |
| Markham, ON | 708 |
| Montreal, QC | 692 |
| Vancouver, BC | 691 |
| Toronto, ON | 685 |
| Victoria, BC | 683 |
| Mississauga, ON | 680 |
| Ottawa, ON | 678 |
| Laval, QC | 675 |
| Quebec City, QC | 668 |
| St John’s, NL | 664 |
| North York, ON | 663 |
| Kelowna, BC | 663 |
| Kitchener, ON | 661 |
| Scarborough, ON | 657 |
| Calgary, AB | 656 |
| Brampton, ON | 656 |
| Surrey, BC | 656 |
| London, ON | 654 |
| Halifax, NS | 646 |
| Regina, SK | 645 |
| Iqaluit, NU | 644 |
| Winnipeg, MB | 643 |
| Hamilton, ON | 640 |
| Yellowknife, NT | 637 |
| Oshawa, ON | 637 |
| Charlottetown, PE | 636 |
| Windsor, ON | 635 |
| Fredericton, NB | 635 |
| Edmonton, AB | 632 |
| Whitehorse, YT | 619 |
Impact of Age on Credit Score
Age does play an element within the credit health of most Canadians. Technically, younger Canadians are additionally likely to own lower credit scores, whereas older customers are more seemingly to hold higher scores.
But, it’s vital to know that this isn’t the case for everyone; simply because you’re below twenty doesn’t mean you’ll have a low credit score. Below are some of the reasons why this is often the case:
- Credit health takes time to develop.
A 69-year-old has had decades longer to form accountable money selections that affect their credit score.
- Good money habits take time to develop.
Generally, young adults are more likely to make rash decisions that may negatively affect their credit scores. As you’ll be able to see, good credit is all about time.
So, don’t beat yourself up if you’re presently troubled to boost or build your credit score. Give it time, and it’ll happen. Below is a table showing the average credit score for different age ranges in Canada:
| Average Age | Average Credit Score |
| 18 – 25 | 692 |
| 26 – 35 | 697 |
| 36 – 45 | 710 |
| 46 – 55 | 718 |
| 56 – 65 | 737 |
| 65 and above | 750 |
What’s the purpose of getting a High Credit Score?
The whole goal of obtaining credit is to convince creditors that you’re reliable enough to get out a loan or line of credit. Having a decent credit score shows lenders that you’re trustworthy and have an excellent financial responsibility history.
Ultimately, a decent credit score is one of the deciding factors of whether or not you get approved for brand new credit. If you do get approved, having a decent credit score can land you a far lower charge per unit, therefore saving you plenty of cash at the end of the day.
Just like building a great reputation, having a high score can give you higher opportunities and additional selections.
How to Improve Your Credit Score
To boost your credit score, follow these suggestions:
- Pay your bills on time.
Establish payment reminders if you struggle with paying bills on time. Considering this can be one of your credit score’s most significant factors, it is vital to pay bills on time systematically. Some banks supply payment reminders through email, text messages, or via their online bank portal.
You can consider setting up automatic payments with your credit supplier, where your lender can automatically debit the cash from your bank account.
- Try to pay your credit card bill fully by maturity.
If you’re unable to offset the whole money due, you must pay the minimum amount shown on your monthly credit card statement.
While canceling a credit card may be a logical way to stop yourself from racking up debt you can’t afford, it’s vital for the health of your credit score that you don’t cancel a card that you’ve had for a long time. A long history of accountable credit usage is incredibly vital if you would like good credit.
- Use your credit card responsibly.
Stop using your credit card very often. Reduce the number of credit applications you create because when a lender checks your credit report, your score gets reduced.
Other things you can do to boost your credit score include:
- Create a budget that works for you and your lifestyle
- Check your credit report for errors yearly.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that improving your credit score isn’t going to take a day. It takes time, patience, and there are no fast or straightforward ways to have a go at it. But, by following these suggestions and exploiting your credit card cautiously, you’ve got the power to take your credit score to the highest it can be!
