The State With the Best Credit Condition Is … – NMP Skip to main content

The State With the Best Credit Condition Is …

Mar 07, 2017
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) did an about face by announcing it will not make a decision this year about updating the credit score model used by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

When it comes to creditworthiness, some states have a more credit-responsible population that others.
 
According to a new survey by CardRatings.com, North Dakota has the best credit conditions among the 50 states, including the nation’s lowest foreclosure rate. Neighboring South Dakota was ranked second, with its strength coming from a 2.7 percent unemployment rate. Other states ranked by CardRatings.com with solid credit conditions were Vermont, Montana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Nebraska, Iowa, Hawaii and (tied for tenth place) Maine and Massachusetts.
 
As for the worst states for credit conditions, CardRatings.com ranked Alabama and Georgia in a tie for first place: Alabama was faulted for the second-highest bankruptcy rate, while Georgia was called out for an average credit score and credit card delinquency rate that are among the five worst of any state. Also among the bottom-dwellers for credit conditions were Nevada, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee, Illinois and New Mexico (tied for eighth place) and Oklahoma.
 
“While household credit is largely a matter of personal responsibility, area conditions can have a strong influence one one’s ability to build a good credit history,” said Richard Barrington, the financial analyst who conducted the study for CardRatings.com.
About the author
Published
Mar 07, 2017
President Trump Cancels 21st Century ROAD To Housing Act

Trump cancels signing the bipartisan housing bill, leaving affordability package in limbo

Jun 24, 2026
Commercial, Multifamily Mortgage Debt Tops $5 Trillion In Q1

MBA says outstanding debt grew by $26.3 billion in the first quarter, led by multifamily lending and increased holdings from banks, agencies, and life insurers

Jun 18, 2026
Fed Holds Rates Steady, But Outlook Dims For Mortgage Rate Relief

The Federal Reserve left rates unchanged but updated projections show more policymakers expecting additional hikes

Jun 18, 2026
Congress Nears Final Vote On 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

Senate voted 87-8 to advance House-amended package, with final votes expected in coming days

Jun 17, 2026
Florida Pending Sales Signal Strong Summer Housing Market

Closed sales rise for a ninth straight month as inventory gives buyers more negotiating power

Jun 16, 2026
Trump Taps Former CFPB Deputy Brian Johnson To Lead Bureau

MBA backs the nomination as lenders await clarity on the future direction of consumer finance regulation under the Trump administration

Jun 12, 2026