According to Bloomberg News , a credit score of more than 750 typically means you will be approved for the lowest rates on purchases like mortgages and vehicles. A credit score lower than 750 will likely mean you'll have to pay higher interest rates or settle for less than the best terms.

www.myFICO.com reports that the median credit score in the United States. is 723. This means that half of all Americans have a credit score below 723. When accounting for the number of people with credit scores between 723 and 750, most Americans have credit scores that will likely keep them from getting approved for the best interest rates.

Increased finance rates are not the only consequence of a lower credit score . The credit crisis has forced lenders to be much more cautious with their practices. In years past, people with sub 600 credit scores could still get approved for loans and other credit account, even if it was restricted to non-traditional mortgage loans and high interest credit cards. Today, in an economy of bailouts and foreclosures, financial institutions are no longer willing to offer loans to higher risk applicants. Many Americans with bad credit are no longer able to get approved for financing because of their low credit scores.

Fortunately for those with credit scores with room for improvement, there is hope. An increasing number of Americans are finding out there are steps they can take to