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Despite Americans facing many challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic, consumers are said to be managing their credit quite well, which comes as a surprise.
Experian, which recently conducted their 12th annual State of Credit report, found that the average U.S. credit scores rose seven points since 2020 to 695, which is the highest point in more than 13 years.
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The report explained that many consumers were managing their credit relatively well before the pandemic hit. With the addition of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, consumers still seemed to be in good condition in terms of financial well-being.
Also noteworthy, many Americans were ordered to stay home at the beginning of the pandemic, resulting in record savings levels and lower unsecured and total debt levels, as well as lower credit utilization rates and fewer missed payments.
This year, Experian partnered with Operation Hope, the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to improving financial literacy, for the launch of the first HOPE Financial Wellness Index. The Index sets out to highlight the average credit score in every state and city.
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"We believe credit education plays an important role in driving financial inclusion and helping consumers reach their fullest potential," said Alex Lintner, President Experian Consumer Information Services.
Here are the states with the highest average credit scores.
Minnesota – 726
North America, USA, Minnesota, Minneapolis Skyline from Walker Art Center. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Vermont – 719
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New Hampshire – 718
A hiker made his way along the rocks at Artists Bluff in New Hampshire's White Mountains in Franconia, New Hampshire, on April 28, 2021. (Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Washington – 717
A general view of the Seattle Skyline and Mount Rainier from Kerry Park during the 2019 Rock'n'Roll Seattle Marathon and 1/2 Marathon on June 9, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images for Rock'n'Roll Marathon / Getty Images)
Massachusetts – 716
A general view of the Boston skyline is seen on October 26, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Paul Marotta/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Here are the states with the lowest.
Mississippi – 666
Casino Boat on the Mississippi River, Natchez, Mississippi. ( Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Louisiana – 669
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Alabama – 672
Scenic Magnolia River that leads to Gulf of Mexico in Southern Alabama, Magnolia Springs, Alabama. (Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Oklahoma – 672
Oklahoma City Skyline, Oklahoma. (Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Texas – 673
Flowers grow overlooking the Chisos Basin on October 16, 2016 in the Big Bend National Park in West Texas. Big Bend is a rugged, vast and remote region along the U.S.-Mexico border and includes the Big Bend National Park. (John Moore/Getty Images / Getty Images)
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In addition to each state’s average credit scores, the State of Credit Report also found that scores have improved year-over-year for every generation, a result of the decrease in utilization rates and fewer missed payments.
Credit utilization rates have declined for every generation except Gen Z, which saw a spike in rates year-over-year. In the same way, credit card balances also rose for Gen Z by $115 year-over-year, despite showing a decrease for every other generation.
Gen Z is the newest generation, born between 1997 and 2012. They are currently between 6 and 24 years old.
Overall, consumers are missing fewer payments, with significant improvements seen amongst the younger generations.
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"While these findings are positive, we recognize they do not tell the full story and many consumers face financial obstacles due to a limited credit history," Lintner said.
Additionally, there are also many individuals and communities who struggle with financial literacy due to a lack of education and resources.
As we slowly start to recover from the pandemic and overcome the challenges of the last year-and-a-half, the current state of consumer credit is crucial.
Luckily, Operation Hope seeks to find solutions for consumers, working to improve their financial health and literacy and help them manage their credit scores to position them well financially.
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"By helping people raise their credit scores, we are empowering them to take advantage of one of our nation’s most democratic tools. From housing and employment to healthcare and education, creditworthiness can be leveraged to improve our overall quality of life."
"We’re committed to using the HOPE Financial Wellness Index as a force for good in the communities we serve," John Hope Bryant, Operation HOPE founder and CEO concluded.