- A 693 score is in the lower half of FICO's good range (670–739), 47 points below very good. Rewards cards, 0% intro APR cards, personal loans, prime-rate auto loans, and most mortgages are within reach.
- Your score sets your price, not just your approval. With 20% down, Fannie Mae's upfront fee for scores of 680–699 is 1.75% of the loan amount. At 700, just 7 points away, it drops to 1.375%, about $750 less on a $200,000 loan.
- In Experian's auto tiers, 693 is prime. Super prime starts at 781, and the gap is worth about $1,000 in interest on a $20,000, 60-month new car loan.
- This close to 700, a lower statement balance may be enough to reach the next fee band, while one late payment can push you further from it. A Kikoff Credit Account reports your on-time payments to all three bureaus.

With a 693 credit score, you can likely get approved for rewards credit cards, 0% intro APR cards, personal loans, prime-rate auto loans, and most mortgages.
A 693 score is good credit, but it's in the lower half of the range. The lowest rates still go to higher scores. You're 7 points from 700, where Fannie Mae's mortgage fee drops, and 47 points from very good credit at 740.
Is 693 a good credit score?
Yes. FICO's good range runs from 670 to 739, and 693 sits in the lower half of it. At 740, you'd move into very good credit.

What stands between 693 and very good credit is usually one of these factors:
- Card balances. Using a large share of your available credit holds your score down, even if you pay in full each month. Your issuer reports the balance on your statement.
- History length. A score backed by a few years of accounts has less to go on than one backed by a decade. Length of credit history only grows with time.
- An older late payment. A payment 30 days or more late stays on your report for seven years. Its effect fades as on-time payments build behind it.
Read more >> What Can You Get Approved For With a 700 Credit Score?
What can you get approved for with a 693 credit score?
At 693, most lenders will approve you, so what's left is the price you get.
Credit cards
Rewards cards with cash back, points, or welcome offers are realistic at 693. Many 0% introductory APR cards are too, since those offers usually target good credit. Some premium travel cards may look for higher scores. Before applying, check whether the issuer offers prequalification, which uses a soft credit check that doesn't affect your score. Applying is what triggers a hard inquiry.
A good score doesn't make card interest cheap. The average rate on card accounts charging interest is 22.15%, according to the Federal Reserve. An intro 0% period helps only if you pay the balance off before it ends.
Personal loans
Most personal lenders will approve a 693 score if your income and debt-to-income ratio (DTI) check out. You may not get a lender's lowest advertised rate, but you'll often see offers near the middle of its range. For comparison, the Federal Reserve's average for a 24-month bank personal loan is 11.86%. Federal credit unions can't charge more than 18% on most loans, so include them when you compare options.
Auto loans
At 693, you're comfortably in Experian's prime tier (661 to 780). Your credit score plays a major role in the interest rate you're offered on a car loan. On a $20,000, 60-month new car loan at average rates, a prime borrower would pay about $1,000 more in interest than a super prime borrower. Super prime starts at 781, 88 points away. Experian sorts these tiers by VantageScore 4.0, so your FICO score may place you a little differently.
Manufacturer promotions like 0% financing may be in reach, but some require higher scores. Ask the dealer what score a specific promotion requires before you count on it. And before you visit a dealer, get preapproved by a bank or credit union so you have a rate to compare.
Use an auto loan calculator to check payment amounts before you sign.
Mortgages
At a 693 credit score, most mortgage types are open to you. Your score mainly decides what you pay, depending on the type:
- Conventional loans. Fannie Mae no longer sets a minimum score for loans run through its automated system, but lenders still set their own minimums. Fannie Mae does charge lenders an upfront fee on the loans it buys, based on your score and down payment. With 20% down, the fee is 1.75% of the loan amount for scores of 680 to 699, 1.375% at 700 to 719, and 0.375% at 780+. On a $200,000 loan, that's $3,500 at 693, about $750 more than at 700. You'd pay it through a higher rate or more cash at closing.
- FHA loans. Borrowers with scores of 580 or higher can qualify with 3.5% down. On a $250,000 home, that's $8,750 up front. Each lender can set higher minimums. If your down payment is small, get an FHA quote alongside a conventional one.
- Jumbo loans. These are for amounts above conventional loan limits. Each lender sets its own standards, usually stricter on score, income, and down payment, so whether 693 qualifies depends on the lender.
Run the numbers >> Use Kikoff's mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly payment and plan your homebuying budget.
What interest rates can you expect with a 693 credit score?
Expect solid offers, but not a lender's best. The Federal Reserve's averages across all borrowers were 22.15% for card accounts charging interest and 11.86% for 24-month bank personal loans. At 693, your offers will likely land near or below those averages.
The nearest pricing cutoff is 700, just 7 points up, where Fannie Mae's mortgage fee band changes. Very good credit starts at 740, 47 points away.
5 ways to raise a 693 credit score
- Check your credit reports for errors. You can get all three for free every week at AnnualCreditReport.com. If something is wrong, like an account that isn't yours, dispute it with the bureau. Disputing is free.
- Pay down card balances before the statement closes. Your issuer usually reports the statement balance, so paying early lowers the balance that reaches your report, even if you already pay in full. It's the fastest way to close a small gap like the one to 700.
- Pay every bill on time. Payment history is the biggest factor in your score, making up 35% of a FICO Score.
- Shop for rates within a tight window. FICO counts multiple auto, mortgage, or student loan inquiries made within a period of 14 to 45 days as one, depending on the FICO version. Credit card and personal loan applications each count separately.
- Think twice before closing a card. Closing one removes its credit limit, which can raise your credit utilization if you carry balances on other cards.
If your report is thin on accounts, adding one helps. A Kikoff Credit Account reports your payments to all three bureaus.
Read more >> What Is a Good Credit Score in 2026?
Bottom line
A credit score of 693 gets you approved for most cards, loans, and mortgages. From here, your score decides how much you pay. Seven more points puts you in Fannie Mae's 700 fee band, and 47 more moves you into very good credit in FICO's ranges.
Kikoff brings credit building, bill and rent reporting, AI-powered disputes, credit monitoring, and debt negotiation into one place. Sign up with no credit check. Plans start at $5 a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Article Sources
- Consumer Credit - G.19 (released September 8, 2026), Federal Reserve. Accessed October 5, 2026.
- NCUA Board Extends Loan Interest Rate Ceiling, National Credit Union Administration. Accessed October 5, 2026.
- Average Car Loan Interest Rates by Credit Score, Experian. Accessed October 5, 2026.
- Selling Guide Announcement (SEL-2025-09), Fannie Mae. Accessed October 5, 2026.
- Loan-Level Price Adjustment Matrix, Fannie Mae. Accessed October 5, 2026.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is meant for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

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