[Clinton, N.C.] – One of the most important things you can carry through a lifetime is your credit history. The Small Business Center (SBC) at Sampson Community College wants your credit score to be as high as possible. Those with higher scores get the best deals when buying a home, car or other large purchases.

With that in mind, SBC is offering the seminar How to Increase Credit Score to Over 740 on campus next week. An excellent credit score is now considered to be 740 points or higher. Now more than ever, having good credit is important in being able to obtain a loan for your business or to obtain a personal loan.

As of October 1, 2005, every adult in North Carolina has been able to receive a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting bureaus. The three-hour seminar we will cover the history of credit scoring, how to read a credit report and the factors are used in calculating your FICO or Beacon score.

You will learn the legal tricks credit bureaus do not reveal on how to raise your score simply by the way you use your credit cards, treat inquiries, make your payments and carry balances. Using several proven methods, your credit score could increase by 50-100 points or more within 60 days. The session will be held Wednesday, March 28^th at 6pm in the East Building at SCC.

The SBC will also offer the session Financing Your Small Business in East Building the day before as well. On Tuesday, March 13^th at 6pm, attendees will learn to use and blend marketing, customer service and hospitality skills and strategies to attract, satisfy and keep great customers. Customer retention is one of the most important factors for the profitability and staying power of all successful businesses. How to create a customer a loyalty program, data base plans, and staff training sessions will be discussed.

These events are at no cost to participants. For more information on these and other events sponsored by the SBC, contact Bart Rice at brice@sampsoncc.edu.