Credit Score 500-579

What a 500-579 Score Means for Your Loan

A 500-579 credit score sits within the top of Equifax's Poor band into the start of Fair (560-659). The 500-579 range is a transition zone — it covers the upper end of Equifax's Poor tier and crosses into the beginning of Fair. Where exactly your score sits within this range meaningfully changes your options: a 505 and a 575 are treated quite differently by most lenders, even though both fall in this band. See our full credit score ranges guide to compare against other tiers.

What Lenders See at This Score

• Scores below 560 are still classified Poor and draw more scrutiny on income and employment
• Scores of 560 and up are classified Fair and typically unlock a wider set of lenders
• Recent payment history matters more than the raw number at this range
• A short, clean recent payment record can outweigh an otherwise average score

Typical Rates & Approval Odds

Because this range straddles two Equifax tiers, your actual offers can vary significantly depending on exactly where your score falls — someone at 575 will typically see meaningfully better offers than someone at 505.

Eligibility Requirements

• 18 years or older (19 in BC, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, and YT)
• Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Active bank account in your name
• A regular source of income

Tips to Improve Your Score

• If you're below 560, focus first on utilization and any past-due accounts — these have the fastest impact.
• If you're already above 560, small additional improvements can shift you into lender pools that treat you as Fair rather than Poor.
• Check your score with both Equifax and TransUnion — Canadian lenders may pull either bureau, and scores can differ slightly between them.

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