What does a FICO score assess?

A FICO score assesses credit risk, which is a crucial factor for lenders when determining an individual's eligibility for loans or credit products. The score is generated based on a variety of factors related to a person's credit history, including payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit, and types of credit used. A higher FICO score generally indicates lower credit risk, suggesting that the individual is more likely to repay borrowed money on time, while a lower score indicates a higher level of risk to lenders.

Understanding credit risk is important because it helps lenders decide whether to offer credit and at what interest rates. It does not evaluate investment performance which is related to the returns on investments, nor does it concern income levels which indicate a person's earning capacity. Additionally, it does not assess real estate values, which relate to the property market rather than an individual's creditworthiness.