Final answer:
The tenure of an account generally has a positive effect on a credit score. A longer credit history can imply reliability and financial stability, which are beneficial in credit evaluations. This positive effect holds unless the account has negative marks, such as late payments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tenure of a particular account, often referred to as the 'length of credit history', generally affects your credit score positively. A longer credit history can be beneficial because it provides more data about your borrowing habits and indicates potential financial stability to creditors. Lenders and credit scoring models see a lengthy credit history as a sign of reliability, especially if that history shows consistent, timely payments and responsible credit management.
Part of one's credit score is determined by the age of accounts, meaning a credit account that has been open and in good standing for several years can contribute positively to your credit score. However, this does not apply universally to all accounts; for example, an account with a long history but also with negative marks, like late payments or high usage, may not necessarily contribute positively. In general, though, longer account tenure is seen favorably in the context of credit scoring.