As the year comes to a close, you're probably already thinking about resolutions and goals for 2026. But before you turn the page on 2025, there's one important financial task worth your attention: reviewing your credit report.

Your credit report is like a financial report card—it tells the story of how you've managed credit throughout the year. Taking time to review it now can help you catch errors, identify areas for improvement and position yourself for better financial opportunities ahead.

At National Bank of Arizona, we believe understanding your credit shouldn't be complicated or stressful. Here's why year-end is a good time for a credit checkup and how to make the most of it:

Track your progress: If you've been working on improving your credit throughout 2025, now's the time to see how you've done. Paid off a credit card? Made consistent on-time payments? Seeing that progress is both rewarding and motivating.

Catch errors early: Mistakes on credit reports are surprisingly common—incorrect account information, payments reported late when they weren't or accounts that don't belong to you. The sooner you spot errors, the sooner you can dispute them and protect your score.

Plan for big purchases: If 2026 includes plans for a car, home or other major purchase requiring financing, knowing your credit standing now helps give you time to make improvements that could help you get better rates and terms.

What to look for when reviewing your report

You don't need to be a financial expert to understand your credit report. Here's what to focus on:

Check for accuracy: Review every section carefully. Do all the accounts listed actually belong to you? Are the balances and payment history correct? Even small errors can affect your score.

Look for red flags: Review every section carefully. Watch for accounts you don't recognize, which could indicate identity theft. Check for late payments you don't remember making—these could be reporting errors worth disputing.

Review your credit utilization: This is how much of your available credit you're using. Keeping balances below 30% of your credit limit is ideal. If you're above that, make paying down balances a priority to help improve your credit score.

Verify your payment history: This is the most important factor in your credit score. Make sure all on-time payments are properly recorded, and if you have late payments, determine what you can do to prevent them in the future.

Stay on top of your credit with SavvyMoney

Reviewing your credit report once a year is good, but regular monitoring is even better. That's where Credit Score Powered by SavvyMoney comes in.

Available for free to National Bank of Arizona clients through Online Banking, this tool gives you:

• Daily access to your credit score without impacting your credit
• Real-time credit monitoring alerts for important changes
• Credit score simulator to see how actions might affect your score
• Personalized credit report with tailored recommendations
• Educational resources to help you understand and improve your credit

Getting started is simple. Sign in to Online Banking through our mobile app or web browser, look for the "See Your Credit Score" button, and opt in. From there, you'll have the tools you need to monitor and understand your credit in one convenient place.

Simple ways to improve your credit score in 2026

If your credit review reveals room for improvement, here are some straightforward steps you can take:

Always pay bills on time: Set up automatic payments or reminders to reduce the risk of missing a due date.

Reduce credit card balances: Focus on paying down high balances to help improve your credit utilization ratio.

Avoid opening too many new accounts: Each new application creates a hard inquiry on your credit, which can temporarily lower your score.

Keep old accounts open: The length of your credit history matters, so don't close old accounts in good standing unless necessary.

Monitor regularly: Take advantage of Credit Score Powered by SavvyMoney to help you stay informed and catch issues early.

Final thoughts

Your credit report tells an important story about your financial life. Reviewing it as the year ends isn't just about checking a box—it's about understanding where you stand and setting yourself up for success.

At National Bank of Arizona, we're committed to helping you build a stronger financial future. If you have questions about your credit, schedule an appointment with a banker today.