Managing your money can be very stressful, especially when you’re unsure if you’re doing it right. You might be saving, but is it enough? And you may need a loan, but not be sure if it will be approved. And comfortable retirement? That may seem like a pipe dream to many of us.

Luckily, Nedbank has several solutions to help clients get a better grip on their finances. Thanks to our latest tool, you can now simply register for access to your credit score and more on the Nedbank Money app. Your credit score is like a shadow that follows you around your entire adult life. If you manage your debt poorly, it will show on your credit profile as a lower score, and if you manage your money responsibly, you’ll have a higher score.

How it works

You can create a credit profile when you log in on the Money app. Access for non-Nedbank clients, including access on other platforms, will be available soon. Watch this space! 

We’ve created this convenient credit tool solution in partnership with Experian, one of the country’s largest credit bureaus, enabling us to give you access to the most recent information that is used to compile your credit score.

You can get a free credit report every year, with charges applying if you want more reports.

Apart from being able to see your credit score, you’ll also receive monthly reports to show your progress

If you don’t have a credit record yet, for example if you’re fresh out of school, we can guide you through the steps to establish a good credit record. Crazy as it sounds, not having any debt makes it more difficult to get credit than someone who already has a credit record. So, it actually pays to establish a record of paying your debts as early as you can.

What your credit score means

Your score will range from 520 to 730.

The higher the number, the better you’re managing your credit. A higher number also means that you’re a lower credit risk because you are more likely to pay your instalments on time, every time. Your score shows lenders that you are disciplined, and they will give your more credit more easily if you need it, and they will probably offer you a better interest rate too.

But, if your credit score is on the low side, it’s time to buckle down to get this number up.

How to use your credit score

Apart from being able to see your credit score, you’ll also receive monthly reports to show your progress. And depending on how you’re doing, you’ll get tips on how to improve your score. These reports do not affect your record and cost you nothing.

To be able to monitor your progress is especially helpful if you’ve been denied credit due to a bad credit record. The result may not be overnight, but you’ll steadily be able to see how your score improves as you settle debt and continue to pay on time. But it’s important to remember that either settling debt or taking on more debt will influence your credit score, and it could take up to 6 weeks to show on your credit record.

More importantly, your score is affected negatively if you have too many queries on your record, because multiple requests could mean you end up with more debt than you can handle, and are therefore more of a credit risk.

Log in to the Nedbank Money app today, and get access to your credit score and more, for free!