By credit standards, only credit scores close to or higher than 700 will be considered for Tier 1 credit. This means credit scores between 680 and 719 so long as the credit report shows few negative marks. If you have a credit score of 620-679, this is still considered subprime credit.
A FICO® Score of 680 falls within a span of scores, from 670 to 739, that are categorized as Good. The average U.S. FICO® Score, 711, falls within the Good range.
In FICO's scoring model, scores in the 800 to 850 range are considered exceptional, or best. A given lender, however, may consider scores in the 750 to 850 range as best and categorize those borrowers as tier 1.
Basically, this tier encompasses borrowers with the best credit scores. Tier 2 typically ranges from a credit score of about 660 up to the lender's Tier 1 level. Tier 3 generally starts in the low 600s. If you're under 600, you're considered a “subprime” borrower.
In general, Tier III represents an average credit score in the low to middle 600s, meaning relatively unfavorable terms for the borrower. Auto lenders may extend credit for Tier III borrowers, but at expensive "sub-prime" rates of interest.
Tier 2 credit is given to borrowers who fall into the acceptable range, meaning they can finance purchases but will not get as generous of terms as their Tier 1 counterparts, including higher interest rates. Credit scores for Tier 2 typically range from 640 to 690.
Tier 4: A good credit score ranges between 650 to 669 and means you're “responsible with my credit and usually make my payments on time.” Tier 5: A fair credit score ranges from 630 to 649 and means you “try to be responsible with my credit but have had some recent credit challenges.”
B Credit Tier (660-699)
This credit tier is sometimes referred to as 2 Tier, B Tier, or Gold Tier. Buyers in this tier usually have some slow pays, may have credit cards that show balances over 50% of the available credit limit, or several new credit inquiries on the report.
The highest credit score you can have on the most widely used scales is an 850. For common versions of FICO and VantageScore, the scale ranges from 300 to 850 and lenders typically consider anything above 720 excellent credit.
Good credit typically required
Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. looks for credit scores of 660 or higher, according to the lender's prospectus issued in May 2019.
FICO 8 scores range between 300 and 850. A FICO score of at least 700 is considered a good score. There are also industry-specific versions of credit scores that businesses use. For example, the FICO Bankcard Score 8 is the most widely used score when you apply for a new credit card or a credit-limit increase.
What do you need to qualify for GM Financial? Applicants with a credit score of at least 550 and up to 850 may be eligible for GM Financial. The minimum age to be eligible is 18 or the state minimum, whichever is higher. GM Financial does not have or does not disclose a minimum annual income eligibility requirement.
Good credit score = 680 – 739: Credit scores around 700 are considered the threshold to “good” credit. Lenders are comfortable with this FICO score range, and the decision to extend credit is much easier. Borrowers in this range will almost always be approved for a loan and will be offered lower interest rates.
80/10/10 loans might be available with a credit score of 680, but it will be easier to get one with a score in the 700s. Home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC): Home equity financing may be available with a 680 credit score. But many lenders set their own minimums starting at 700 or higher.
Minimum credit requirements for the five major loan options range from 580 to 680. Note that FHA loans can allow credit scores as low as 500. But if your score is below 580, you'd need a 10% down payment to qualify. Borrowers with credit scores above 580 need only 3.5% down.
The typical FICO score for the A+ credit tier is 750 - 850 and is also referred to as: 0 Tier Credit (Ford Motor Credit)
Translated into FICO scores, Tier B auto loan candidates range in the 660 to 699 score territory. For this particular tier, which faces interest rates about 4 percent higher than the A+ tier, the B rating is only slightly more lenient than A in the areas that can jeopardize credit.
Average Interest Rate Per Tier
This will vary, but based on the data we've found in May 2020 for new cars, Tier 1 borrowers (with credit scores in the 700s and 800s) can expect to pay an average of around 4% APR on their loan for a new car.
A 2nd tier lender, also known as a non-bank lender, is a lender who doesn't hold a banking licence. They usually come in the form of a building society or credit union. While the absence of a banking licence might seem scary, it just means they source their own wholesale funding from other sources.
Tier 5: Invitation-Only Cards
These types of high-society cards have no credit limit, and all of the perks that come from lower-tiered cards. And credit score doesn't even matter for invitation-only cards—even if you have a perfect score, that's not enough to get an invite.
Conventional Loan Requirements
It's recommended you have a credit score of 620 or higher when you apply for a conventional loan. If your score is below 620, lenders either won't be able to approve your loan or may be required to offer you a higher interest rate, which can result in higher monthly payments.
In general, lenders look for borrowers in the prime range or better, so you will need a score of 661 or higher to qualify for most conventional car loans.