New Data Reveals Insights Into Americans and Credit

 Soundbite and Script

October 17, 2011

ANNOUNCER: 

DESPITE AN UNCERTAIN ECONOMY, THE SECOND ANNUAL STATE OF CREDIT REPORT FROM EXPERIAN, A NATIONAL CREDIT-REPORTING COMPANY, SHOWS MANY AMERICANS HAVE IMPROVED THEIR CREDIT SCORES AND DECREASED DEBT, ALBEIT BY SLIM MARGINS.  FOR EXAMPLE, AVERAGE DEBT HAS ONLY DECREASED BY ONE PERCENT NATIONWIDE.  WHILE MAJOR SETBACKS LIKE FORECLOSURES AND UNEMPLOYMENT CAN MAKE MAINTAINING HIGH CREDIT SCORES CHALLENGING, MAXINE SWEET, VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AT EXPERIAN, SAYS THAT MAKING ON-TIME PAYMENTS AND KEEPING BALANCES LOW ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT WAYS TO MAINTAIN GOOD SCORES. 

MAXINE SWEET, VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AT EXPERIAN:

“Establishing good credit has never been more important than it is today. Your credit score affects everything from your ability to open a credit card to determining your rates when buying a home or car.  Understanding how your financial behaviors influence your credit score will allow you to make more informed financial decisions and ultimately improve your overall financial well-being”

ANNOUNCER:  

TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CITY RANKS AND TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BUILDING AND MAINTAINING A STRONG CREDIT HISTORY, VISIT www.livecreditsmart.com. I’M LEE SHEPHARD.