A Good Credit Score Is Better Than A Fancy Car, Singles Say

When looking for someone to date, people might be less focused on someone’s material possessions, what job they have, or how good-looking they are – and more concerned with their potential date’s creditworthiness.

A study sponsored by Discover Card and Match Media Group (the folks behind dating site Match.com) showed that online daters put more stock in someone’s financial standing than they do in whether the person drives a fancy car or has a fit physique. Fifty-eight percent of those surveyed said a good credit score was more important than what kind of car their prospective love interest drives, 50% said good credit is more important than an impressive job title, and 40% said it’s more attractive than a physically fit body.

Anthropologist Helen Fisher, PhD, the chief scientific advisor for Match.com, said singles with a good credit score shouldn’t be afraid to show it off. “When it comes to dating, a good credit score ups your mate value, helping you win a responsible, long-term partner, more so than some other qualities that online daters might highlight on their profile.” Fisher said that single people agree that “those with good credit tend to be conscientious and reliable.”

Financial responsibility is valued when looking for a partner

Sixty-nine percent of survey respondents said that when they’re looking for someone to date, financial responsibility is an important factor to consider. Qualities like a sense of humor, physical attractiveness, ambition, courage, and modesty are also desirable, but financial responsibility is more important than any of these, according to the survey. A sense of humor came in second, with 67% saying it’s very important in a potential mate, while attractiveness came in third with 51% valuing it highly. Ambition was a necessary factor for 50% of respondents, 42% named courage as an attractive trait, and 39% prized modesty in their dates.

There was some disparity in responses between genders; 77% of women said financial responsibility was very or extremely important in a partner, while only 61% of men said the same. Kate Manfred, vice president of brand and consumer insights at Discover, emphasized that having a good credit score doesn’t necessarily correlate with making a lot of money. “A credit score is an important measure of financial responsibility as it rewards diligence and consistency over time when it comes to managing your finances, not necessarily how much money you make or what you have in the bank.”