Stroudsburg — When establishing financial fitness goals, it’s easier to build a credit score than to repair a bad one.

“Having a good credit history is key to any financial plan,” said Stephen H. Patterson, ESSA Bank & Trust senior vice president and chief lending officer. “Credit scores take into consideration years of past behavior, so it’s important to establish a history of responsible credit practices and build your score by maintaining good habits.”

ESSA Bank and The Independent Community Bankers of America offer the following tips to help build and maintain good credit.

• If you are just beginning to establish your credit history, open a checking account and keep careful track of your balance.

• Use debit and credit cards for convenience and safety, but not to overspend. Missed or late payments damage your credit and hurts your credit score.

• A good mix of credit (i.e., a revolving credit line and an installment loan) also boosts your credit score and further demonstrates that you can manage different types of credit.

• Demonstrate stability in the three to six months before a major purchase. Avoid opening or closing accounts or moving large amounts of money around.

• Build an emergency fund equal to at least six months of living expenses. If the unexpected happens, you will still be able to pay fixed expenses instead of falling behind.

• Alter your credit focus as you approach life cycle stages. As you near retirement, for example, start paying down major purchases (such as a mortgage).

• Monitor your credit regularly so you can correct any errors and detect any potential signs of identity theft.

“Establishing good spending and saving habits, and sticking with them, is critical and can go a long way toward helping you achieve your financial goals,” said Scott Heitkamp, ICBA chairman.

“Your local community bank can serve as a great resource to help get you started on the road to establishing good credit, which will serve as the foundation for a more secure financial future.”