The average credit score in the U.S. remained steady at 715 at the end of 2024, according to Experian data. But while stability has been the trend, recent developments suggest that credit scores could face new pressures in the coming months.

Banks, landlords, credit card issuers, employers, and utility providers all use credit scores to assess how likely someone is to make timely payments. A strong score usually leads to better loan terms and lower interest rates.

However, a weak score can limit access to credit.

One major change is the decision by scoring giant FICO to incorporate Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) data into its scoring system. BNPL allows consumers to purchase items immediately and pay for them over time, typically in interest-free installments if payments are made on schedu

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