fico scores

Millions of Americans are seeing their credit scores plunge. According to FICO, 25.5% of consumers -- roughly 43.4 million people -- have a credit score below 600, making them a poor risk for lenders, and making it hard for those consumers to get credit cards, auto loans and mortgages.

The historic finance reform bill hammered out by a House and Senate panel is 2,000 pages long, but WalletPop had its yellow highlighter out to spare you one brutal summer read. (Actually, we had a lot of help from Reuters and The New York Times.) Here are some of the tidbits on how the bill will...

Remember the days when gold credit cards were the gold standard? Then platinum credit cards became the new mark of exclusivity. Since then, the platinum of platinum credit cards have morphed into black, clear, blue, plum, titanium and every other color imaginable in the status rainbow. How do you...

Nearly every personal finance guru in America will tell you that it's important to build and maintain a high FICO score -- and that good credit is a sign of financial prudence and responsibility. Lenders will reward you for that responsibility with a lower interest rate loan. The worship of the...

Ken and Daria Dolan, America's first family of personal finance, answer your questions every Friday. Click here to ask Ken and Daria your question. Your credit score has never been more important than it is today. That's why it is critical you understand some big changes in the way your credit...

I've been working with a personal finance coach as part of a magazine assignment. As a hand-to-mouth freelance writer (with two kids), my finances are pretty basic. I earn it, I pay my bills, I buy the groceries, put gas in my car...and hold my breath until the next paycheck. But personal finance...