Due to Hurricane Milton evacuation orders, our Tampa Customer Care Center is temporarily closed. We appreciate your patience as customer care response times may be longer than usual.

10 Budgeting Tips for Millennials

Budgeting is the cornerstone of financial health, providing individuals with a roadmap to manage income and expenses effectively. In today’s economy, mastering the art of budgeting is practical and essential for achieving financial stability and meeting your goals....

Signs of Identity Theft Every Millennial Should Know

Imagine you wake up one morning to your usual routine of checking emails and scrolling social media. However, what awaits is a flood of notifications from unfamiliar accounts thanking you for your recent purchases of luxury watches, handbags, shoes, clothing, etc....

How Young Adults Can Establish Credit Without Breaking the Bank

Establishing credit from scratch can feel like an uphill battle when you're a young adult on a tight budget. But having a solid credit history is important when it comes to making a major purchase, such as a car or even securing an apartment. The good news is there...

What Your FICO® Score Says About You

Your credit score is a three-digit number that can significantly influence your financial life. It's a snapshot of your creditworthiness, and it can determine your ability to secure loans, credit cards, and even housing opportunities. But what does your credit score...

Why Does My FICO® Score Fluctuate?

A FICO® Score fluctuates due to various factors, reflecting changes in an individual’s credit behavior and financial circumstances. These scores are widely utilized by lenders to assess the risk associated with extending credit or loans to consumers. By evaluating...

How to Decode Your Credit Score

Understanding your credit score can seem like decoding a complex puzzle, but with the right knowledge, it becomes much simpler to navigate. Your credit score holds the key to your financial health, influencing everything from loan approvals to interest rates. In this...

How Does Inflation Affect Credit?

During times of high inflation, rising costs can put consumers under greater financial stress. High inflation can make it harder for you to pay for the things you need, more expensive for you to borrow money, and slow down economic growth on a large scale. If you’re...

What Is an SBA Loan?

Do you have a great business idea but need funding to get it off the ground? SBA small business loans offer affordable financing and flexible repayment terms to help entrepreneurs launch or expand a business. Here we explain what an SBA loan is and how it works. What...

Budgeting Tips to Pay Off Tax Debt

As tax season approaches, many individuals may find themselves grappling with the reality of owing money to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Whether due to unexpected income sources, insufficient taxes withheld from each paycheck, filing incorrectly, or missed...

Do Taxes Affect Your Credit Score?

Between the beginning of the year and mid-April, tax season is in full swing and many people are quickly going to tax professionals to either pay their taxes or get their refunds. One question on many minds is the connection between taxes and credit. Do taxes affect...

Recent Articles

Which FICO® Score Do Lenders Use?

Which FICO® Score Do Lenders Use?

If you want to apply for a mortgage, take out a new credit card, or apply for an auto loan, any reputable lender will probably look up your FICO® Score before giving you a loan. FICO® Scores are important indicators of your credit health and will largely determine mortgage terms and lending rates. However, because there are different scoring models, it's essential to know which one your lender will use. In most cases, the FICO® Score they use...

read more
Why Do I Need My Credit Report?

Why Do I Need My Credit Report?

Have you ever wondered why you even need to check your credit report? If so, you’re probably not alone. In this article, we answer the question of “Why do I need to check my credit report?” and break down how it impacts your day-to-day life. So, let’s dive into the intriguing world of credit reports. What is a Credit Report? Let's start with the basics. A credit report is like a financial report card. It's a detailed record of your credit...

read more
5 Steps to Build Business Credit

5 Steps to Build Business Credit

Building a strong business credit score is crucial for any business owner. It not only separates your personal and business finances, but also provides access to better financing options and establishes credibility with suppliers and lenders. That’s why in this article, we walk you through five essential steps to help you build a solid business credit foundation. What is a Business Credit Score? A business credit score is a numerical...

read more
What is a Good Business Credit Score?

What is a Good Business Credit Score?

Just as a personal credit score reflects an individual's financial health, a business credit score is an important indicator of a company's financial well-being. In this article, we explore what a business credit score is, why it's important, how to improve it, and the long-term benefits of maintaining a good business credit score. So, if you're a small or medium-sized business owner, an entrepreneur, or simply curious about business credit,...

read more
Does Investing Affect Your Credit Score?

Does Investing Affect Your Credit Score?

Navigating personal finances has often left people pondering whether their investments affect their credit scores. In this blog post, we aim to provide an answer by untangling the relationship between investing and credit scores. By clearing up misconceptions, pointing out the differences, and diving into the factors that really influence your credit score, we give you a complete picture of how investing affects your credit score. Do Investment...

read more
What Makes Up My FICO® Score?

What Makes Up My FICO® Score?

Your credit score plays a big role in shaping your financial opportunities. And whether you're trying to get a loan, credit card, or better interest rates, lenders pay close attention to your FICO® Score in particular. In fact, FICO® Scores are used by more than 90% of major lenders. In this blog, we explore the components that make up your FICO® Score and break down why it matters in your financial life. What Is a FICO® Score? Your FICO® Score...

read more
5 Ways to Celebrate National Financial Awareness Day

5 Ways to Celebrate National Financial Awareness Day

National Financial Awareness Day, celebrated every year on Aug. 14, is a great time to think about your money decisions and plan for a better financial future. In this blog, we explore five ways to celebrate National Financial Awareness Day, including reflecting on financial goals, learning more about personal finance, creating a budget, working on credit health, and exploring saving and investing strategies. What is National Financial...

read more
How Does Taking Out a Mortgage Affect Your Credit Scores?

How Does Taking Out a Mortgage Affect Your Credit Scores?

For many people, securing a mortgage marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. However, considering the scale of such a large purchase, it's only natural to wonder about its potential impact on your credit scores. In this blog, we explain how taking out a mortgage can affect your credit scores. We also introduce you to a powerful tool – the FICO® Score Simulator offered by MyScoreIQ – that can help you plan for significant financial...

read more
What are the Benefits of Financial Coaching?

What are the Benefits of Financial Coaching?

Have you ever found yourself spending more time on Amazon than you’d like to admit? Taking a daily coffee run to Starbucks when you have coffee at home? Wondering why you aren’t able to save as much money as you’d like to? If you can relate, you might benefit from financial coaching. In this blog, we break down the benefits of financial coaching, so you can better understand if it’s the right solution for you. What is a Financial Coach?...

read more
Is It Better to Use a Credit Union or a Bank?

Is It Better to Use a Credit Union or a Bank?

Banks and credit unions offer many similar financial products and services. But if you’re looking for the best financial institution to open a new checking or savings account, take out a loan or open a new credit card, there are some key differences between banks and credit unions that you should know. Here’s how to help decide whether a bank or credit union is better for you. Credit Unions vs. Banks The biggest difference between banks and...

read more

Premier Credit Monitoring.

Receive premier credit monitoring and identity theft insurance for you and your family with our MAX plan.**