HOW TO BOOST YOUR CREDIT SCORE BEFORE 2026

"Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving."

- Warren Buffett

How to Raise Your Credit Score

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to focus on a topic that affects nearly every business and individual: credit scores.

Over the past year, we’ve seen a noticeable decline in business credit scores, which can make all the difference when applying for leases or loans. At DEROTTO, our mission is to help clients secure the best possible rates, and that starts with understanding and improving your credit.

One of the most common questions we get is:

“How can I raise my credit score?”

Your credit score reflects your financial reliability and determines how lenders assess your risk. We often find that credit reports, both personal and business, contain outdated or inaccurate information. Reviewing your reports regularly can save you time, stress, and money.

A strong credit profile can save you thousands of dollars over your lifetime. Here’s how to start strengthening yours today.

Simple Yet Effective Steps to Strengthen Your Credit Score

You can access your credit report at Equifax or TransUnion.

1️⃣ Pay Bills on Time Even if you can’t pay in full, always make at least the minimum payment. Consistent, on-time payments are the single most important factor in maintaining good credit.

2️⃣ Build Credit History Borrow periodically to create a record of reliability - even if it is a small amount. No history means no reference for lenders to assess your trustworthiness.

3️⃣ Watch Credit Card Balances Keep your credit utilization below 30% of your total limit. High balances can hurt your score, even if you never miss a payment.

4️⃣ Be Selective with New Credit Avoid applying for too many cards or loans at once. Frequent credit checks can signal higher risk to lenders.

5️⃣ Keep Contact Info Updated Always notify your banks and card issuers when you move to avoid missed payments caused by lost mail.

6️⃣ Monitor Accounts Online Check accounts regularly to confirm payments are clearing and balances remain current. Don’t wait for monthly statements.

7️⃣ Pay Off Delinquent Bills Clearing overdue balances won’t erase past missed payments, but it shows positive repayment behavior and helps rebuild trust with lenders.

8️⃣ Check for Inaccuracies Review your credit reports at least once per year to correct outdated or incorrect information. Keeping reports accurate can save you major headaches and money when you apply for financing.

Understanding Your Credit Score

More than 90% of lenders use FICO or Beacon credit scores, which range from 300 to 850. Generally, scores above 650 indicate strong credit health.

Your credit score is based on:

• Payment History (35%)

• Credit Usage (30%)

• Age of Credit Accounts (15%)

• Credit Mix (10%)

• New Credit Inquiries (10%)

Common Credit Myths

“I don’t want my credit pulled because it will lower my score.”

This is one of the most common misconceptions we hear. In reality, credit inquiries have minimal impact on your score (only 10% consideration as outlined above). Credit scoring systems recognize that multiple inquiries in a short period, such as when shopping for a lease or loan, count as one inquiry, not several.

Much greater weight is placed on payment history, balances owed, and credit longevity.

👉 For more insight, check out this helpful article on the 7 Top Credit Myths.

Final Thoughts

Strong credit doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent effort and the right habits, you’ll put yourself and your business in the best position to borrow smarter and save more.

Improving your credit score takes time. It can take several weeks or months to see real change, but the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll see results.

To read what clients are saying about DEROTTO, visit our testimonial page at www.derotto.com or go to Google Reviews or Better Business Bureau.