1. Pay your bills promptly. Thirty five percent of the credit rating is based on your payment record and is the biggest factor in determining the credit rating.
2. Keep your balances at 30% of your available credit. A smaller proportion would mean a better credit rating, lest your rating will be held low.
3. Lengthen your credit history. A longer history of paying your debts responsibly increases the trust of your creditors, and consequently, of the FICO.
4. Develop a good mix of credit lines. By being responsible in keeping up to six different types of credit lines, your lenders would view as a responsible and good money manager.
5. Avoid applying for a new account. Multiple might send a wrong signal to your lender. Most lenders think that borrowers who apply for multiple credit accounts within a short period of time are in great financial trouble. Consequently, this can negatively affect your credit rating.