How Many Credit Points Can You Gain in a Month?

When you want to build credit fast, you might ask: How many credit points can you gain in a month? But the answer isn’t as simple as saying “20 points” or “50 points.” 

Your credit score is calculated based on a mix of factors like your credit history, credit limit and use, and new inquiries. Because everyone’s financial history is different, how fast you can boost your score varies between individuals. 

Here’s what to know. 

How long does it take to build credit?

As a general rule of thumb, it takes 3-6 months to establish a credit score for the first time. Assuming you start off with good credit habits, you can build a score in the 700s range fairly easily. After that, boosting your score is a matter of making on-time payments, keeping your debts low, and letting your credit history age. 

But if you’ve damaged your score, you might want to know how to increase your credit score quickly. 

Unfortunately, there’s no hard and fast rule here. Your starting point, financial habits, and the reason your score is damaged all impact how quickly you can rebuild. For instance, it takes much longer to bounce back from a bankruptcy than a late payment. 

What type of loan builds your credit the fastest?

You can use several types of loans to boost your score. That said, there’s no surefire guarantee on the fastest way to increase credit – it depends on your personal situation. 

Credit cards

Credit cards are among the fastest ways to increase credit due to how often they report to the bureaus. The more frequently your lender(s) report information, the faster your score updates. 

Many credit card issuers update information like your current balance and payment history every 1-2 months. So, if you pay off your credit card purchases monthly, your credit history will reflect that positive information fairly quickly. 

Auto loans

Installment loans like auto loans are another great way to build credit fast. Because you make regular payments on installment loans, it’s easy to establish a positive payment history. (Your payment history is the biggest factor that comprises your credit score.) 

On the other hand, auto loans can also temporarily lower your score by:

·      Lowering your average account age

·      Adding to your hard inquiries

·      And temporarily increasing your credit utilization rate

Still, even if you see a quick dip, your score should recover – and start rising – within a few months. 

Personal loans

Personal loans are another kind of installment loan that help boost your score. When used responsibly, you can use personal loans to diversify your credit mix and establish a positive payment history. Depending on your situation and your lender’s reporting schedule, you can see a personal loan impact your score within 1-2 months.

Mortgages

For most people, a mortgage is the single biggest debt you’ll ever have – and it can majorly impact your score. For instance, when you first sign for your mortgage, your score will likely decrease. But once you start making payments, your credit score will rise again – though you may not see significant impacts for months. 

Mortgages are particularly beneficial because they help establish a longer credit history (most take 15-30 years to repay). They also diversify your credit mix.  

Credit Builder Loans

Taking out a credit builder loan is one of the fastest ways to increase credit. These loans are specifically designed to boost your credit score by establishing a positive payment history while helping you save. 

With a MoneyLion Credit Builder Loan, you can receive a loan up to $1,000 with no credit checks. You’ll get some of your funds upfront while saving the rest for later. 

Best of all, more than half our members raise their score by 27 points within 60 days! 

Can you raise your credit score by 100 points?

Your credit score isn’t just a random number – each credit bureau weighs the same few factors to determine your score. (While the exact weight varies slightly, the principle remains the same.) 

For example, FICO’s credit score model rates:

·      Payment History – 35%

·      Amount Owed – 30%

·      Length of Credit History – 15%

·      Credit Mix – 10%

·      New Credit – 10%

Because your credit score involves all these factors, changing any of them can impact your score. That means making even a few small financial changes can help you raise your credit score 100 points (or more!).

That said, achieving such a significant boost takes time and due diligence. 

How to increase your credit score quickly often involves building positive payment habits, keeping debts low, and using new credit responsibly. Unfortunately, if your score is low because of a negative mark, you usually have to wait until it falls off your report. 

And studies show that the type of negative mark greatly impacts how fast your score improves. For instance, while the impact of new credit inquiries fade after three months, bankruptcies take 6+ years to recover from. 

How many credit points can you gain in a month? It varies

If you need to know how to increase credit score quickly, there’s no easy answer. The number of points you gain in a month varies between individual financial situations and debt types.  

For instance, a Credit Builder Loan can help you gain as many as 47 points in just 60 days. But if you’re struggling with a heavy negative mark like a bankruptcy or missed payment, recovery may take a little longer.