Payment history
Payment history is the record of whether you've paid your credit accounts on time, and in FICO's published weights it is the single largest factor in a FICO score, at about 35% (myFICO).
Why it matters
Because FICO calls it the most influential factor in FICO Scores, missed payments do more damage to your score than almost anything else, and lenders see late payments for about seven years.
Example
One payment reported 30 or more days late can lower a credit score (how much depends on the rest of your credit report), and that single late mark can stay on your report for roughly seven years.
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Educational only — not financial advice. No guarantees.