What Is a Prime Credit Score? | Capital One (2024)

August 29, 2023 |3 min read

    Although it may vary between lenders and credit-scoring models, FICO® scores between 660 and 719 are considered prime credit scores. When looking at borrower risk profiles, a prime credit score is one level below super-prime—the highest rating.

    Lenders and creditors view prime borrowers as a low risk. So if you’re looking to qualify for favorable rates on a loan or credit card, working toward a prime credit score can help you get there.

    Key takeaways

    • On the FICO credit score range, a prime credit score is between 660 and 719.
    • Borrowers with prime credit scores tend to pose relatively little risk to lenders and creditors.
    • With a prime credit score, you may qualify for more favorable loan or credit card terms, interest rates and reward programs.

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    Benefits of a prime credit score

    Credit scores are used by lenders to assess borrowers’ creditworthiness and ability to repay debt. Having a prime credit score can prove valuable for several reasons. It can help you:

    • Increase your approval odds. In general, the higher your credit score, the better your odds of approval for a loan or credit card. That’s because lenders view prime borrowers as low risk.
    • Save on interest rates. Qualifying for a favorable interest rate can help save you hundreds to thousands of dollars in interest over the life of a loan.
    • Qualify for credit card rewards and benefits. Some reward credit cards require higher credit scores than others for approval. Being a prime borrower can increase your odds of approval for one of these cards.

    How to get a prime credit score

    If you’re planning on applying for financing, you’ll want to evaluate your current financial standing and credit scores. If you’re currently below prime, you may want to spend some time improving your scores.

    Here are some tips to help you achieve a prime credit score:

    Routinely monitor your credit

    Monitoring your credit is important when trying to maintain or improve your credit scores. And it can help you identify any errors or fraudulent activity that may be negatively impacting your credit scores.

    One way to monitor your credit is with CreditWise from Capital One. CreditWise gives you access to your TransUnion® credit report and VantageScore 3.0 credit score anytime. And using it won’t hurt your scores. You can even explore the potential impact of your financial decisions before you make them with the CreditWise Simulator.

    CreditWise is free and available to everyone—even if you’re not a Capital One cardholder.

    You can also get free copies of your credit reports from all three major credit bureausEquifax®, Experian® and TransUnion. Call 877-322-8228 or visit AnnualCreditReport.com to learn more.

    Dispute any errors on your credit reports

    If you notice any errors on your credit reports, report them to the appropriate credit bureau or lender that issued the report as soon as possible.

    Keep your credit utilization low

    Credit utilization is the amount of credit you’re using compared to the amount of credit you have available. Credit experts recommend that you try to stay below 30%.

    Pay your bills on time

    Payment history is an important factor in determining your credit score. When you make a late payment, it can have a negative impact on your credit scores. And late payments can remain on your reports for up to seven years.

    Avoid opening too many new accounts

    When you apply for new credit, it can have a negative impact on your scores, especially if you open multiple accounts at the same time. Try to avoid applying for new credit unless you really need it, and space out applications if possible.

    Prime credit scores in a nutshell

    A prime credit score—a FICO Score between 660 and 719—can be a positive indicator of your creditworthiness. With a prime score, you may qualify for better rates and terms on new financing.

    What Is a Prime Credit Score? | Capital One (2024)

    FAQs

    What Is a Prime Credit Score? | Capital One? ›

    A prime credit score—a FICO Score between 660 and 719—can be a positive indicator of your creditworthiness. With a prime score, you may qualify for better rates and terms on new financing.

    What is considered a prime credit score? ›

    A prime credit score falls within the range of 660 to 719, according to data from the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Consumer Credit Panel. It's important to note, however, that what classifies as a prime credit score can vary between lenders and different organizations.

    What is a prime credit rating? ›

    Prime credit is a credit score that is one level below super prime, which is the highest credit rating. Consumers with prime credit pose little risk to lenders and creditors. Consumers with prime credit receive loans with some of the lowest interest rates and best terms.

    Is 750 a prime credit score? ›

    Scores of 620 to 799 are usually considered prime. Scores below 620 are subprime. And individuals with superprime scores have scores that exceed 800.

    What credit score do I need for Capital One? ›

    The credit score that you need for the Capital One Platinum Credit Card is at least 640, which is usually considered fair credit. The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is also available to people with limited credit history, which means you may be able to get approved even without a credit score.

    Is Capital One a subprime credit card? ›

    Real-World Example of a Subprime Credit Card

    Some of these cards, such as the offerings by Capital One and Bank of America, require an upfront security deposit, typically between $100 and $300. 3 Others, such as the Credit One Bank Visa card, are unsecured.

    What is considered a perfect credit score? ›

    A perfect credit score of 850 is hard to get, but an excellent credit score is more achievable. If you want to get the best credit cards, mortgages and competitive loan rates — which can save you money over time — excellent credit can help you qualify. "Excellent" is the highest tier of credit scores you can have.

    What are the 5 levels of credit scores? ›

    Lenders may also use your credit score to set the interest rates and other terms for any credit they offer. Credit scores typically range from 300 to 850. Within that range, scores can usually be placed into one of five categories: poor, fair, good, very good and excellent.

    Is a prime rate good? ›

    The prime rate is the best interest rate you can get, and it's influenced by the economy. When you apply for a financial product, including credit cards, personal loans and auto loans, lenders will charge you interest based on what kind of risk you pose to them.

    What is a good credit rating example? ›

    If your credit score is between 725 to 759 it's likely to be considered very good. A credit score of 760 and above is generally considered to be an excellent credit score. The credit score range is anywhere between 300 to 900. The higher your score, the better your credit rating.

    Is there a big difference between 750 and 800 credit scores? ›

    A 750 credit score is Very Good, but it can be even better. If you can elevate your score into the Exceptional range (800-850), you could become eligible for the very best lending terms, including the lowest interest rates and fees, and the most enticing credit-card rewards programs.

    How rare is an 820 credit score? ›

    Your score falls in the range of scores, from 800 to 850, that is considered Exceptional. Your FICO® Score and is well above the average credit score. Consumers with scores in this range may expect easy approvals when applying for new credit. 21% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Exceptional range.

    How rare is a 750 credit score? ›

    Your credit score helps lenders decide if you qualify for products like credit cards and loans, and your interest rate. You are one of the 48% of Americans who had a score of 750 or above as of April 2023, according to credit scoring company FICO.

    What is the hardest Capital One card to get? ›

    Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

    A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive. Why it's one of the hardest credit cards to get: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is hard to get because it requires excellent credit for approval and charges an annual fee of $395. You get a lot in return, though.

    Is Capital One easy to get approved? ›

    As long as you meet the credit score requirement and a few other requirements, it's not hard to get a Capital One credit card. As with all credit cards, you'll need to have a steady income and be at least 18 years old. You'll also need to have an SSN.

    What is the easiest Capital One card to get? ›

    The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card (see rates and fees) is easier to qualify for because it's a secured card, which means you'll need a security deposit to open the card.

    What is a 900 credit score considered? ›

    While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.

    What percentage of population has over 800 credit score? ›

    Less than 21% of people have a credit score over 800. A credit score of 800+ is considered perfect credit, indicates that a borrower uses credit very responsibly, and qualifies the person for the best loan and credit card terms.

    Why is 750 a good credit score? ›

    Late payments and other negative entries on your credit file are rare or nonexistent, and if any appear, they are likely to be at least a few years in the past. People with credit scores of 750 typically pay their bills on time; in fact, late payments appear on just 23% of their credit reports.

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