Drop in EX, EQ

[Anonymous]

Hey Guys,

I had a big drop in my EX and EQ scores over the past few days, and I am curious why.   My EX generally updates twice a month around the 12th when Amex updates and again around the 17th/18th when Synch and Chase update.  My EX score was 739 on 4/12 and fell to 727 today.  Curious I did the $1 trial to see the other scores, TU lost two points 830-828, but EQ lost eight going from 833 to 825 (I have a charge-off that only shows on EX due to fall off in July).

Data:

3/18/2019

Amex Gold Balance - $1,177

Chase (AU) Balance - $1,818/25K

Sync Balance - $14/18K

SSL - $222/$3K

EX FICO 8 - 739

4/12/2019

Amex Gold Balance - $2,382

Chase (AU) Balance - $1,818/25K

Sync Balance - $99/18K

SSL - $218/$3K

EX FICO 8 - 739

4/18/2019

Amex Gold Balance - $2,382

Chase (AU) Balance - $429/25K

Sync Balance - $0/18K (Actually negative, because a return hit right when it updated)  I put a fair amount of spend on this card.

SSL - $218/$3K

EX FICO 8 - 727

As far as I can tell no old accounts fell off.  AAoA 9Y7M, AoOA25Y, Newest account opened September 2018 (Amex).

On an aside, my Credit Karma Scores both went UP!!

Curious to hear your thoughts.  Could it be an issue that the only revolver (Sync) in my name is zero so I am getting a non-use hit? 

Edit: Just to be clear, I PIF the Amex every month.

[thornback]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Could it be an issue that the only revolver (Sync) in my name is zero so I am getting a non-use hit? 

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Appears so.   Charge card (Amex Gold) balances don't count for util;  the bureaus may also be ignoring your Chase AU for util;  so Sync would be your only card that counting towards util -- now that it's zero, you're being penalized for 0% use -- which means those points will be regained if you let a balance report on Sync next month. 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, that is what if figured.  Clearly, I need to go out and spend some money!  

[FlaDude]

If I were you, I'd get another card or two. AUs can be helpful, but the cardholder could close it, or sadly, pass on someday. It could then stay on your report for up to 10 years, but possibly much less.

[Anonymous]

I agree, once the chargeoff drops I am going to add a card or two. 

For those who are interested below is the impact of zero balance on the additional EX scores.  The first number is from March 3rd and the second number is from today (4/23).  Also, "No Credit Card Activity" is now listed as hurting my score.

EX 2 Mortgage: 726 - 730

EX 8 Auto: 747 - 738

EX 2 Auto: 700 - 703

EX 8 Bankscore: 757 - 743

EX 3 Bankscore: 719 - 720

EX 2 Bankscore: 739 - 735

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thanks, that is what if figured.  Clearly, I need to go out and spend some money!  

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While I know you're half joking, it's important to realize that leaving a small balance on a card is possible without having to go out and spend money if it's a card that you're using at least once a month naturally. 

[Anonymous]

Well, spend I did!  Joking, but due to timing the Synch card posted a 16% utilization.  For those interested below is what happened to the scores.

As of today (5/21) Ex 8 back up to 738 - seems to have only a one point loss from the 16% utilization...

EQ 8 - 819, six point loss

TU 8 - 815, 13 point loss

The third number is the new data point.

EX 2 Mortgage: 726 - 730 - 726

EX 8 Auto: 747 - 738 - 748

EX 2 Auto: 700 - 703 - 700

EX 8 Bankscore: 757 - 743 - 750

EX 3 Bankscore: 719 - 720 - 719

EX 2 Bankscore: 739 - 735 - 732

Big drop in Vantage:

TU down 16 points to 792

EQ down 15 to 802

[Anonymous]

Wow, unexpected new data point that you all may find interesting.  So I noticed an unauthorized charge on the Synch card and they closed the account and removed the whole tradeline from EX (not in closed accounts either).  Now with just the AU credit card, and Amex Charge, one installment under 9%, and a variety of closed (one negative) accounts my scores are now:

EX 8: 690

EX 2 Mortgage: 726 - 730 - 726 - 741

EX 8 Auto: 747 - 738 - 748 - 704

EX 2 Auto: 700 - 703 - 700 - 712

EX 8 Bankscore: 757 - 743 - 750 - 693

EX 3 Bankscore: 719 - 720 - 719 - 719

EX 2 Bankscore: 739 - 735 - 732 - 751

I will update again once the situation with Synch is sorted.  I am very curious to see what happens to the EQ and TU clean files, but will not know for another nine days.