4 days ago

Why an 800+ CIBIL Score Still May Not Secure Loans

Beyond the number: Why an 800 credit score doesn’t guarantee a loan and what you can do about it · livemint.com

A credit score is like a report card for how someone has borrowed and repaid money.

A score above 800 is usually considered very strong.

But banks look at more than just that number.

If someone previously paid less than the full amount owed, the account may be marked “settled.”

This mark can stay on the person’s credit report for years.

Lenders may worry that the person could have trouble repaying again.

The borrower can try to pay the remaining amount to the original lender.

They should then obtain written proof and ask the lender to update the credit record.

Checking the report regularly and paying bills on time can also help.

Key facts

High-score benchmark: A CIBIL score above 800 demonstrates healthy credit habits.
Settled status: It indicates that a lender accepted less than the original total amount owed.
Visibility: A settled remark can remain on credit reports for years and is not removed automatically.
Lender concern: Financial institutions may view settled accounts as a sign of higher future default risk.
Correction step: The borrower can pay the remaining balance to the original lender and request an updated status.
Other assessment factors: Lenders also examine income, repayment capacity, existing liabilities, and underlying credit patterns.
Potential benefits of a strong score: It may support competitive interest rates, larger limits, faster processing, and pre-approved offers, subject to lender policy.

livemint.com · 4 days ago