A 400 credit score is a bad credit score, unfortunately, as it’s a lot closer to the lowest score possible (300) than the highest credit score (850). It indicates you’ve had significant payment problems in the past, perhaps even to the extent of going through bankruptcy or having your home foreclosed, which signals risk to potential lenders. As a result, a 400 credit score will make it difficult to qualify for a loan or unsecured credit card, and you will need to focus on rebuilding your credit before trying to get a mortgage, car loan, etc.
Key Things to Know About a 400 Credit Score
If you sign up for a free WalletHub account, you can also get a personalized credit analysis, which will tell you exactly what you need to improve and how to do it. In addition, you can check your latest credit score for free on WalletHub to see exactly where you stand.
Check Your Latest Credit Score – 100% Free
Below, you can learn more about what a 400 credit score can get you and how to fix your situation.
What Does a 400 Credit Score Get You?
| Type of Credit | Do You Qualify? |
| Secured Credit Card | YES |
| Unsecured Credit Card | NO |
| Personal Loan | NO |
| Auto Loan | NO |
| Home Loan | NO |
Note: It may be possible to qualify for an unsecured credit card, personal loan, auto loan or home loan in rare cases, but the terms are unlikely to be worthwhile. If you apply for the average offer, you’re more likely to be rejected than approved.
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Credit Cards with a 400 Credit Score
The best type of credit card for a 400 credit score is a secured credit card with no credit check when you apply. These credit cards offer high odds of approval even for people with the lowest credit score possible because your credit history doesn’t factor into the approval decision.
Popular Credit Cards for a 400 Credit Score
Best for Building Credit:OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit CardOpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website- Low Annual Fee:First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit CardFirst Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Low APR:Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit CardApplied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
Car Loans with a 400 Credit Score
Less than 7% of auto loans go to people with a credit score in the 300-539 range, and the share of loans given to applicants with a 400 credit score in particular is likely just a small fraction of that.
As a result, your odds of getting approved for a decent auto loan are slim. You will need to compare your options carefully and consider either placing a bigger down payment or purchasing a vehicle that’s less expensive.
Mortgages with a 400 Credit Score
Well under 1% of first mortgages go to people with a 400 credit score, in part because FHA-backed home loans require a minimum score of 500. Working to improve your credit score before you apply will make it much easier to get approved and will save you a lot of money on interest and fees.
Student Loans with a 400 Credit Score
Student loans are among the easiest loans to get when you have a low credit score, considering that nearly 25% of them are given to applicants with a credit score of 300-539. A new degree may also make it easier to repay the loan if it leads to more income.
Note: Borrower percentages above are based on data from Equifax (Q3 2017).
How to Fix a 400 Credit Score
If you want personalized credit-improvement advice, just sign up for a free WalletHub account and check out the credit analysis page. You’ll find grades for each part of your credit score, telling you exactly what to fix, as well as specific advice for how to improve each area.
Below, you’ll find some of the most important pointers, which typically apply to most people with a 400 credit score.
- Avoid Quick Fixes: Any company that advertises the ability to quickly “repair” or “fix” your credit is a scam. There are no fast solutions to bad credit. Recovery is a process that will likely take at least 12-18 months, just to progress to a “fair” rating.
- Review Credit Reports for Errors: Your “bad” rating may be the result, at least in part, of erroneous information on your credit reports. So check your latest credit report for things like accounts you didn’t open and on-time payments mistakenly listed as late.
And dispute any inaccurate records you find. - Catch Up on Missed Payments: If you’ve missed some monthly payments, making them up could help prevent credit score damage from worsening, assuming your account hasn’t defaulted yet. At that point, the damage from delinquency will already be done, and your top concerns will be a collections account and a lawsuit. Both are bad for your credit score, but both can be avoided by repaying amounts owed.
- Explore Debt Solutions: When you have a lot of debt, it can seem like you’re out of options. But that’s not the case. There are several avenues you can explore for some measure of relief. For example, you could try to negotiate a debt settlement agreement, whereby some of your balance will be forgiven in exchange for you repaying the rest right away. Or you could propose a new payment plan to your creditor, also known as debt management. Even something as simple as consulting a non-profit credit counselor could go a long way.
So at the very least, it’s worth considering how the most popular debt solutions compare and apply to your situation. - Get a Secured Credit Card: Unsecured credit cards for bad credit tend to be a bad deal, offering little in the way of a loan at a hefty cost. And since a credit card is the most accessible credit-building tool available to consumers, it’s best to simply open a secured credit card. Secured cards are unique in that they require users to place a refundable security deposit, the amount of which serves as their spending limit. This protects issuers from risk, which enables them to charge minimal fees and offer nearly guaranteed acceptance.
- Always Pay on Time Moving Forward: Payment history accounts for the lion’s share of your credit score, and every month provides a new opportunity to improve in this regard. Each month you pay your credit card bill by the due date covers up previous mistakes just a bit, gradually establishing a new track record of responsibility.
The best part is you don’t even need to use your credit card to benefit. If you don’t make any purchases, you’ll still be credited as paying on time when the issuer reports account information to the major credit bureaus each month. So if you don’t trust yourself to spend responsibly, remove temptation by locking your card in a drawer. - Add to Your Deposit Over Time: The more credit extended to you, the faster your credit score will rise. And since you have control over your credit line when using a secured card, you can expedite your credit building efforts by simply depositing more money. Don’t worry, you’ll get your deposit back, minus any outstanding balances and fees (if any), when you close your account.
- Build an Emergency Fund: Setting money aside for financial emergencies won’t itself improve your credit score, but it will insulate you from the types of unforeseen events that could completely derail your credit building efforts. In fact, it’s best to begin feeding an emergency fund before focusing on getting out of debt – if you have any.
At the end of the day, you also just have to wait. Negative records in your credit report cannot be removed if they are accurate. They will remain for 7-10 years, depending on the offense, and the only thing you can do about it is dilute these records with positive information, such as reports of on-time payments.
Top 10 Resources for a 400 Credit Score
- Bad Credit Guide
- Why Did My Credit Score Drop? Top 10 Causes
- Free Credit Score Simulator
- How To Improve Your Credit Utilization
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As an expert in personal finance and credit management, I can confidently provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of credit scoring systems, borrowing options, and strategies for credit improvement. I have closely followed industry trends, analyzed credit data, and provided guidance to individuals seeking to enhance their financial standing.
The article primarily addresses the challenges associated with a 400 credit score, emphasizing its classification as a bad credit score and the implications it carries. Let's break down the key concepts and provide additional insights:
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Credit Score Basics:
- The credit score mentioned, 400, falls into the category of a bad credit score.
- The credit score range is typically from 300 (lowest) to 850 (highest).
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Implications of a 400 Credit Score:
- Signifies significant payment problems in the past, potentially including bankruptcy or foreclosure.
- Indicates a higher level of risk to potential lenders.
- Makes it difficult to qualify for loans or unsecured credit cards.
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Borrowing Options with a 400 Credit Score:
- Most borrowing options are available, except for FHA-backed home loans.
- Terms for available loans may not be attractive, with high interest rates and fees.
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Credit Cards with a 400 Credit Score:
- Secured credit cards are recommended for individuals with a 400 credit score.
- Examples of recommended secured credit cards include OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card, First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card, and Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card.
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Auto Loans with a 400 Credit Score:
- Less than 7% of auto loans go to people with a credit score in the 300-539 range.
- Options for auto loans with a 400 credit score are limited, and careful consideration is advised.
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Mortgages with a 400 Credit Score:
- Well under 1% of first mortgages go to people with a 400 credit score.
- Improving credit score before applying for a mortgage is recommended.
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Student Loans with a 400 Credit Score:
- Student loans are more accessible for individuals with lower credit scores, with nearly 25% granted to applicants in the 300-539 range.
- Obtaining a new degree may contribute to easier loan repayment.
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Improving a 400 Credit Score:
- Recommends applying for a secured credit card with no credit check and paying the bill on time every month.
- Emphasizes the importance of a personalized credit analysis and checking credit reports for errors.
- Advises against quick fixes and advocates a gradual credit recovery process.
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Top 10 Resources for a 400 Credit Score:
- Provides additional resources for individuals with a 400 credit score, including a bad credit guide, information on credit score drops, a credit score simulator, and tips on improving credit utilization.
By following the advice outlined in the article, individuals with a 400 credit score can work towards rebuilding their credit and improving their financial prospects.
