topic Total Balance Owed Thresholds in Understanding FICO® Scoring

Total Balance Owed Thresholds

Zoostation1 — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 04:14:14 GMT

I have a dirty revolver only profile - 7 CCs and a BK7 that's about to hit 8yrs old. I know about the individual revolver utilization thresholds and the muddiness around aggregate utilization percentages, but am wondering if the 3 point drop I just got on EX8 is due to aggregate utilization or aggregate balances. My reported overall utilization went from 4% ($2635) to 6.2% ($4091) on $66.2k of total CL and my EX8 score dropped 3ptsfrom 703 to 700 with that. I know the myFICO alerts and the score changes shown aren't necessarily related, but it's the only change that could have effected it and Experian also notified me the same day as myFICO of the changes and score decrease. Trying to figure out if I crossed an aggregate utilization % threshold or an aggregate balance (in raw dollars) threshold. I tend to think raw dollars initially because when my total CL was lower I never lost points on any FICO 8 score until I crossed over 9% on aggregate utilization %. It's not enough of a drop to matter, but any thoughts?

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

Thomas_Thumb — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 04:55:26 GMT

An aggregate of 5% and a total balance at $3000 have both been suggested as possible thresholds based on past poster data. However, no real justification for picking $3000 vs $2800 or $3200. The testing on total balance thresholds is limited and not at all rigorous.

Did highest % utilization on an individual card change? If yes, what were before/after values? Also, any change in quantity of cards reporting balances?

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

Zoostation1 — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 03:49:45 GMT

@Thomas_Thumb No change in number of cards reporting. I stayed at 3/7. Individual utilization changes were:

Card1: increase from 6.9% to 7.9%

Card2: increase from 1.6% to 12%

Card3: decrease from 6.8% to 4.8%

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

Thomas_Thumb — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 14:30:00 GMT

To summarize, your highest utilization on a single card went from 6.9% to 12%. That crosses above 9% which may or may not be important for the individual card metric.

It looks like you have 3 possible influencers. Consider some follow-up testing to isolate the possibilities.

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

Thomas_Thumb — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:59:17 GMT

Went on-line a couple days ago to check my AMEX account. It provides an EX Fico 8 score. My score had been tracking at 847-848 for quite a few months. Then 1 update ago score dropped to 837. This last update was 842.

I know my utilization has increased recently as I don't paydown/off balances before statement close dates. A couple eye surgeries, new glasses, new recliner sofa and insurance premium spiked usage.

After some investigation here is what I found:

EX F8 @848:

- 2 of 5 cards reporting, highest card UT - 1 @ 10%, AG UT @ 2%.

EX F8 @837:

- 5 of 5 cards reporting, highest card UT - 2 @ 13%, AG UT @ 7%.

EX F8 @842:

- 4 of 5 cards reporting, highest card UT - 1 @ 13%, AG UT @ 4%.

I suspect the big drop from 848 to 837 is partially due to an increase in AG UT%. Threshold at 5% or 6%? I think 5% but some sources suggest 6% (including a reference from an EX web site). Likely 100% of cards with balances was a contributing factor.

The big question is why only a 5 point gain 837 => 842 dropping back below 5% AG UT? Sure, 4 of 5 cards are still reporting balances but, EX is somewhat insensitive to cards with balances if under 100% and QTY reporting does not exceed 6.

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

Zoostation1 — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 04:02:35 GMT

Haven't done much to try to isolate my changes yet, but pretty sure I can confirm $4000 isn't a raw dollar threshold. My utilization dropped ever so slightly to get be below at $3993, but no other material changes with 6.0% aggregate and highest card only going from 12% to 11%. No EX8 score change.

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

Zoostation1 — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 01:11:08 GMT

I don't have any new data regarding that 3pt drop on EX8, but looking at my data again I can come to some conclusions about TU8 for my profile now that I'm at 8 months with no changes to my TU8 score (still 700).

vs 3/7 reporting makes no difference on TU8.
4%-6.7% overall utilization and anything in between makes no difference on my profile. Individual utilization never went about 14% during this 8 month stretch total reported balances ranged from $2625-$4119 (there were some CLIs during the stretch but seem to have been immaterial

For EQ8, 2/7 vs 3/7 reporting also doesn't matter, but have an oddity at where at 4% aggregate 3/7 with no card at 10% i had 704 and then a 708. No HPs reporting for either.

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

BrutalBodyShots — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 04:23:22 GMT

@Zoostation1 - Threshold points that I've found related to raw dollars of revolving debt have been around $2k, $5k and $10k. Since my total revolving balances rarely go much above $12-13k, I haven't been able to test above that. Around each of those 3 values that I mentioned, I've seen score changes exclusive of aggregate utilization; aggregate utilization would have been in the 1%-4% range in all cases. I'm on a clean/thick/mature scorecard though, so it's not out of the question that your scorecard could see different results.

@Thomas_Thumb - Do you not believe that EX8 is bulletproof to AWB% changes? I've tested it plenty of times and have never lost a single FICO point in moving from AZEO to 100% AWB and back to AZEO, and I know plenty of others that have reported the same thing. We're on the same scorecard, so I'd expect your results to mirror mine.

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

Thomas_Thumb — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:08:30 GMT

@Zoostation1

@BrutalBodyShots

I have no open loans and only a few cards. While my file is not thin per se, it is not thick. Since my loan closed my EQ and TU F8 scores have been fluctuating as number of cards reporting balances has changed. I do see minor +/- 1 point changes on EX Fico 8 and EX Fico 9 now of undetermined origin. Never tried to investigate cause.

Pre mortgage closure none of my F8 or F9 scores changed regardless of

# of accounts or % of cards reporting balances. The buffer played a role. Only mortgage Ficos showed the sensitivity and industry option scores.

Years ago I compared Fico 04 and Fico 8 reason code lists for all 3 CRAs. The line item for "too many accounts with balances" had the same code number for EQ and TU but was blank for EX, iirc. My links to those lists are dead but, I may have saved a few. I'll see what I can find and possibly post a screen shot.

I just checked my EX F8 and F9 score history over the last year. There were a handful of 1 point changes. Not sure what triggered those because I have no associated reason code history. Most months showed no change. Could the +/- 1 relate to crossing a low level $2k threshold for total balance?

AMEX reported a -10 point EX F8 change on 9/29 followed by +5 on 10/13 and another +5 on 10/29. WF reported -13 for EX F9 in Oct and then +13 in Nov. I recall purchasing furniture back then and paying some insurance and medical bills. Those EX score changes were definitely due to changes in balance reporting. AG UT remained at or below 4% most of the time. However, on a 10/17 summary report from Discover my AG UT went to 6% and also would have exceeded $5k on TB. So, I did cross above a possible 5% AG threshold. The 2 step paydown and EX F8 5 point score rises could be due, in part, to crossing below a $ threshold for total balance. If highest card UT dropping below 9% is a thing, that could have been in play as well. (Side note: TU Fico 8 reported -6 in Oct and then +6 in Nov).

I would need to pull a EX and TU reports to determine monthly aggregate reported balances.

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

Thomas_Thumb — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 18:04:06 GMT

Below are a couple Fico 8 historical score summary tables to go with my prior post commentary. The 1st is EX Fico 8 as provided by American Express. They include actual pull date which is nice. However, no retained info on aggregate utilization or accounts reporting balances. The 2nd table is TU Fico 8 as provided by Discover. Their extracted summary does not show pull date but, recent statements show Dec 17th and Nov 17th for pull dates. On the plus side, the Discover summary does list aggregate utilization.

Comparing the tables suggest a card with a significant balance reported after 9/17 but before 9/29. Then a different card updated with a reduced balance or $0 balance before 10/13. So, the 10/17 TU pull does not capture the peak total balance or peak aggregate utilization which reached 7%.

@BrutalBodyShots

American Express EX Fico 8 - Score History

Date Score pulled	Point change	EX Fico 8 score
Jan 14, 2026	0 pts	848
Dec 29, 2025	+2 pts	848
Nov 29, 2025	-1 pts	846
Oct 29, 2025	+5 pts	847
Oct 13, 2025	+5 pts	842
Sep 29, 2025	-10 pts	837
Sep 6, 2025	0 pts	847
Aug 29, 2025	-1 pts	847
Jul 29, 2025	0 pts	848
Jul 7, 2025	0 pts	848
Jun 29, 2025	0 pts	848
May 29, 2025	0 pts	848
Apr 29, 2025	0 pts	848
Mar 29, 2025	0 pts	848
Feb 28, 2025	0 pts	848
Jan 29, 2025	0 pts	848
Dec 29, 2024	+1 pts	848
Nov 29, 2024	-1 pts	847
Oct 29, 2024	0 pts	848
Sep 29, 2024	+1 pts	848
Aug 29, 2024	-1 pts	847
Jul 29, 2024	0 pts	848
Jun 29, 2024	0 pts	848
May 29, 2024	0 pts	848
Apr 29, 2024	--	848

Elevated balance (over $5k) and total utilization (6.7%) captured by 9/29/25 pull.

EX CRA report total balance history shown in bottom table.

Discover Card TU Fico 8 - Score History

Date	Point Change	TU Fico 8 Score	Ag UT%
Dec 17 '25	+1	838	2%
Nov 17 '25	+6	837	4%
Oct 17 '25	-6	831	6%
Sep 17 '25	+3	837	4%
Aug 17 '25	-4	834	4%
Jul 17 '25	0	838	1%
Jun 17 '25	+1	838	2%
May 17 '25	-1	837	2%
Apr 17 '25	+1	838	2%
Mar 17 '25	-1	837	2%
Feb 17 '25	+11	838	1%
Jan 17 '25	**	827	3%

* The low TU Fico 8 score in Jan 2025 is not reflected in Dec 2024, Jan 2025 or Feb 2025 EX Fico 8 scores.

Influence of high number or % of cards reporting a balance on TU?

- My experience is EX Fico 8 lacks sensitivity to number or % of cards reporting balances.

Including for comparison Wells Fargo EX Fico 9 - Score History

Date	Point Change	EX Fico 9 Score
01/01/2026	0	850
12/01/2025	+1	850
11/01/2025	+13	849
10/01/2025	-13	836
09/01/2025	+4	849
08/01/2025	-5	845
07/01/2025	+5	850
06/01/2025	0	845
05/01/2025	-4	845
04/01/2025	0	849
03/01/2025	-1	849
02/01/2025	**	850

This version also shows the double digit score drop seen in EX Fico 8.

Single step rebound due to increased duration between pulls.

* EX F9 reflects more monthly score variability than EX Fico 8

Added MyFico EQ Fico 8 - Score History

Date of Credit Pull	Point Change	EQ Fico 8 Score
01/10/2026	0	840
12/10/2025	+4	840
11/10/2025	0	836
10/10/2025	-2	836
09/10/2025	0	838
08/20/2025	0	838
07/05/2025	-2	838
06/10/2025	+3	840
04/20/2025	-3	837
01/27/2025	+5	840
12/20/2024	-5	835
10/02/2024	**	840

* The EQ Fico 8 pull on September 10, 2025 is before the late September balance spike.

The subsequent October 2025 pull shows minimal score impact.

Added Experian Credit Report - Historical Total Monthly Balances

Report Month	Total Bal (no AU)	Total Bal (with AU)
Nov 2025	$1424	$3358
Oct 2025	$3377	$3867
Sep 2025	$5765	$6657
Aug 2025	$3337	$3922
Jul 2025	$3760	$4148
Jun 2025	$1146	$1990
May 2025	$1625	$2355
Apr 2025	$2020	$2942
Mar 2025	$2097	$2745
Feb 2025	$1156	$2096
Jan 2025	$1240	$2483
Dec 2024	$2743	$3785

* Exceeded $5000 aggregate threshold mentioned by BBS.

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

BrutalBodyShots — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 07:47:18 GMT

Good data, @Thomas_Thumb. Do you have any personal opinion (or direction you're leaning) as far as whether it's a dollar threshold or utilization threshold point that is more meaningful around the questionable area? It kind of stinks that $5k sort of correlates when utilization percentages that could equate to something.

On my file, $5k was only 1-2% and $10k a little over 3%, so I was no where near 5-6% which made the dollar amounts 100% noteworthy, IMO.

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

Thomas_Thumb — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 15:42:53 GMT

@BrutalBodyShots

I suspect both factors could be in play. During paydown I would drop below $5k before going below 5% (or 4.5% if rounded). Perhaps the 2 step point regain on EX F8 (+5, +5) was a result of going below $5k and then 5% (4.5%) after another card balance updated. Unfortunately, CRA reports only show monthly balance last reported as of month's end.

Clarifications on table data:

*[TCL = $85k no AU, $120k with AU]. AU card excluded from UT%.

* AMEX npsl included in total balance but not revolving AG UT%. Amex balances reported: Nov 25 $0, Oct 25 $0, Set 25 $218, Aug 25 $0, Jul 25 $26 Jun 25 $0, May 25 $103, Apr 25 $0, Mar 25 $129, Feb 25 $0, Jan 25 $0, Dec 24 $0.

The EX9 score changes (-13, +13) could be the net impact of having crossed the two thresholds.

A potential 5% utilization threshold has come up in many past discussions. Total balance is a known factor for scoring but, the possible $5k threshold has not been discussed here previously.

More definitive data is needed from multiple sources. I prefer data tables. They allow others to independently analyze and make their own conclusions. Unfortunately with mine, time alignment to balances are lacking.

I have no ability to align score pull dates with aggregate $ or AG UT% after the fact using my reports - other than the Discover TU pulls where UT % is rounded.

The suggested $2k aggregate threshold is of interest. I seem to often hover around that level. Again, no way to time align score pulls with exact balances historically.

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

Zoostation1 — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:12:20 GMT

@Thomas_Thumb Had an alert and score update today that follows the suspected 5% aggregate threshold you noted earlier in this thread, at least for EQ. On my 3B pull from 3/3 I was at $3695/$74200 (4.98% rounding to 5%) and my EQ8 was 704. 2 cards reported to EQ today (decrease in total owed and CLI). Now I'm reporting at $3430/$78200 (4.39% rounding down to 4%) and gained +4 on EQ8. Looking at that and the 10% individual possible threshold any my score history I think this is 4pts also

TU8 seems immune to any 5% aggregate threshold and any 10% individual threshold though, at least on my dirty profile. My TU8 score stayed at 700 June 2025 through Feb 2025. It didn't budge when crossed up and down over the 5% aggregate, nor did it for 10% individual, nor did dropping down from 3/7 to 2/7 reporting change it over that stretch. I finally gained +6 on 3/1 (crossed the 12 month mark for my only remaining HP on 2/23). Yesterday when the 2 cards referenced above reported bringing down to that 4.39% and no movement.

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

radiofrequencies — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 02:48:07 GMT

@Zoostation1 wrote:
@Thomas_Thumb Had an alert and score update today that follows the suspected 5% aggregate threshold you noted earlier in this thread, at least for EQ. On my 3B pull from 3/3 I was at $3695/$74200 (4.98% rounding to 5%) and my EQ8 was 704. 2 cards reported to EQ today (decrease in total owed and CLI). Now I'm reporting at $3430/$78200 (4.39% rounding down to 4%) and gained +4 on EQ8. Looking at that and the 10% individual possible threshold any my score history I think this is 4pts also

TU8 seems immune to any 5% aggregate threshold and any 10% individual threshold though, at least on my dirty profile. My TU8 score stayed at 700 June 2025 through Feb 2025. It didn't budge when crossed up and down over the 5% aggregate, nor did it for 10% individual, nor did dropping down from 3/7 to 2/7 reporting change it over that stretch. I finally gained +6 on 3/1 (crossed the 12 month mark for my only remaining HP on 2/23). Yesterday when the 2 cards referenced above reported bringing down to that 4.39% and no movement.

Thanks for sharing those data points. It definitely reinforces the fact that the FICO 8 algorithms vary slightly by bureau. The +4 on EQ8 after moving from 4.98% to 4.39% aggregate utilization suggests a possible 5% aggregate utilization threshold but at the same time total balances moved from $3,695 to $3,430. Couldn't that also suggest a $3,500 total balance threshold for EQ8 on your profile?

One thing I've always wondered is can the total balance thresholds be profile dependent? For example, does someone with a $15,000 TCL have the same total balance thresholds as someone with a $350,000 TCL?

Regarding your score gain on TU8 on 3/1, it's my understanding that HPs impact scores for 365 days so you should have seen the score increase from the HP turning 1 year old on 2/23/2026. Are you monitoring your TU8 via CreditWise? CreditWise updates daily but requires you to login once a day for daily updates. So I guess it's possible that you didn't log in between 2/23 and 3/1 to trigger a fresh soft pull and saw the HP points come back when you logged in on 3/1.

Another question for you... you said you have 7 credit cards. Do you have any other open accounts on your credit reports like installment loans?

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

Zoostation1 — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:18:43 GMT

@radiofrequencies wrote:
Thanks for sharing those data points. It definitely reinforces the fact that the FICO 8 algorithms vary slightly by bureau. The +4 on EQ8 after moving from 4.98% to 4.39% aggregate utilization suggests a possible 5% aggregate utilization threshold but at the same time total balances moved from $3,695 to $3,430. Couldn't that also suggest a $3,500 total balance threshold for EQ8 on your profile?

One thing I've always wondered is can the total balance thresholds be profile dependent? For example, does someone with a $15,000 TCL have the same total balance thresholds as someone with a $350,000 TCL?

Regarding your score gain on TU8 on 3/1, it's my understanding that HPs impact scores for 365 days so you should have seen the score increase from the HP turning 1 year old on 2/23/2026. Are you monitoring your TU8 via CreditWise? CreditWise updates daily but requires you to login once a day for daily updates. So I guess it's possible that you didn't log in between 2/23 and 3/1 to trigger a fresh soft pull and saw the HP points come back when you logged in on 3/1.

Another question for you... you said you have 7 credit cards. Do you have any other open accounts on your credit reports like installment loans?

I have no installment loans, it's a revolver only profile. As for monitoring my TU8, it was refreshed during that time period, including 2/28.

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

radiofrequencies — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:08:47 GMT

@Zoostation1 wrote:
I have no installment loans, it's a revolver only profile. As for monitoring my TU8, it was refreshed during that time period, including 2/28.

Interesting, thanks for the info. I would have expected the HP points to return in the 2/28 refresh. Were there any other aging metric milestones reached on 3/1?

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

BrutalBodyShots — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:08:57 GMT

I finally gained +6 on 3/1 (crossed the 12 month mark for my only remaining HP on 2/23). Yesterday when the 2 cards referenced above reported bringing down to that 4.39% and no movement.

The gains from an inquiry come 365 days after it was incurred, not on the 1st of the month following it. That is when aging metrics would all increase by 1 month. If the inquiry was worth 6 points, those 6 points would have returned 5-6 days prior.

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

Zoostation1 — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:45:19 GMT

Given that I didn't get them back when 365 days passed that leads me to the thought that TU8 doesn't penalize for the first HP, at least on a dirty profile. I still can't figure out that 6pt TU8 gain on 3/1. No reason I can think of holds up. My highest utilization individually was 9.5%, but in the months prior crossing over and on any 9% or 10% threshold had no impact, also I was at 4.97% aggregate and crossing over any 5% threshold prior had no score change either. Something changed or aged, but I have no clue what.

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

BrutalBodyShots — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 03:17:50 GMT

Since we're talking the first of the month, all signs point to an aging metric. If AAoA doesn't track, I'd like to things like AAoRA, AoORA, AoOIA, etc.

Re: Total Balance Owed Thresholds

Zoostation1 — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 07:50:06 GMT

@BrutalBodyShots my AoOA as shown on myFICO is 4yrs 5mo, AAoA and AAoRA is 3yrs 1mo. So per myFICO I would have hit 3yrs AoORA in March, however only TU8 went up. No change to EQ8 or EX8 for March 1st or on my 3/3 3B pull. A couple weeks later, EQ8 went +4 and EX8 went +3, but those appears to be utilization or raw balance driven. They were timed with reporting and have moved from 704 to 708 and 700 to 703 on mulitple occasions when my reported balances were at the same level. It doesn't make sense to me that only TU8 would increase from an aging metric (if that's what's behind the increase), but not EQ8 or EX8.