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FICO Scores are widely used by various types of companies to evaluate the creditworthiness of their customers.  These companies may include:

1. Banks and Credit Unions: They use FICO Scores to make decisions on lending, such as approving or denying credit card applications, personal loans, auto loans, and mortgages.

2. Mortgage Lenders: These lenders rely heavily on FICO Scores to assess the risk of potential borrowers before issuing home loans.

3. Credit Card Issuers: Companies that issue credit cards use FICO Scores to determine credit limits, interest rates, and eligibility for different types of credit cards.

4. Auto Lenders: Car dealerships and auto financing companies use FICO Scores to evaluate applicants for car loans and leases.

5. Insurance Companies: Certain insurers, especially those offering auto and home insurance, may use FICO Scores to set premiums, although this practice is regulated and varies by state.

6. Landlords and Property Management Firms: Many landlords and property managers use FICO Scores as part of the tenant screening process to evaluate the reliability of potential renters.

7. Student Loan Providers: Both private and federal student loan providers may use FICO Scores when issuing loans or refinancing existing student loans.

The widespread use of FICO Scores across these various sectors underscores their importance in the financial ecosystem since they provide a standardized measure of credit risk.  FICO Scores are primarily calculated according to 5 categories, so your score can evolve frequently, and may be impacted based on the following criteria:

            35% Payment History

            30% Amounts Owed

            15% Length of Credit History

            10% Credit Mix

            10% New Credit

You can learn more here:  https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/whats-in-your-credit-score