No Credit History

[Dan&Mitzi 0]

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get credit started in our new spouse's names? I can get some places to add him to my credit accounts as an authorized user, but they won't let him have is own credit account because he doesn't have a credit history here. We need ideas & suggestions on how to get him some credit started.

Mitzi

[kiwi5050 0]

hi,

my husband had the same question. we went to bank of america so that he could open a bank account and asked if he could get a credit card so he could start building credit. they said that if he didn't yet have a green card, he could get a "secured credit card" (http://www.bankofamerica.com/creditcards/index.cfm?template=cc_secured#top). basically, he has to deposit money into an account, and the amount that he deposits will be his credit limit. it sucks if you need that money, because you can't touch it while it's there, but it works for building credit.

i'm sure they have similar things at other banks. i've also heard that you can apply for credit cards at department stores or target or walmart. they have lower standards than regular credit cards.

hope this helps!

[tamz 0]

My husband and I took out a small loan at Regions bank. I was main applicant, and he co-signed because he's employed and I am not. (Probably helped that my Hubby was born and raised in this small Alabama town, and everyone knows him.)

It's baby steps..later will be the milestones

tamz

[pinac 0]

The best thing to do is to get an american express card before moving here. Amex will then issue you a new US card with the same limit as you had back home.

Assuming that is not possible now ...

Best suggestion on getting an unsecured card is to make an appointment with the bank manager where you have your checking and savings accounts and make the credit card request in person.

Explain the situation and have them tell you why they can not pull your canadian credit history (ask why they can not ... as opposed to can you ... - start with the assumption that they can get the information and make them explain why they can not get the information - they can get it, it is just more work).

This is what we did and they (Bank of America) gave me a card without even calling for the Canadian history.

[SanDan 0]

hi,

my husband had the same question. we went to bank of america so that he could open a bank account and asked if he could get a credit card so he could start building credit. they said that if he didn't yet have a green card, he could get a "secured credit card" (http://www.bankofamerica.com/creditcards/index.cfm?template=cc_secured#top). basically, he has to deposit money into an account, and the amount that he deposits will be his credit limit. it sucks if you need that money, because you can't touch it while it's there, but it works for building credit.

i'm sure they have similar things at other banks.

My bank (Wells Fargo) has the same system, I would imagine most banks do. It's more like saving money cuz you do get the money back when they give you a real credit card. You just need to remember to use the card every month and make the payments on time.

[JubJub 0]

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get credit started in our new spouse's names? I can get some places to add him to my credit accounts as an authorized user, but they won't let him have is own credit account because he doesn't have a credit history here. We need ideas & suggestions on how to get him some credit started.

Mitzi

An authorised user will still have the account appear on his credit reports. Assuming that you have accounts with long histories, this can be even better than having new accounts in his own name, given that "new" credit is a detrimental factor when calculating credit scores.

Let the AU accounts appear on his reports, then he will have a nice score on which to apply for cards on his own.

[cmann6 0]

My Wife got a credit card from us bank they just ran it like she was a student and they gave her $1000.00

[Autumnal 25]

It may also help to bring credit reports (if in good standing) from your home country. We had them and our bank was willing to base giving me a credit card with a $1000 credit cap based on that.

[Steffi 0]

Yeah, I had the same problem. I tried to apply for a credit card through the bank that I've had an account with for 3 years, figuring they would see that I have never had financial problems...but even they denied me. So after others advised me to have hubby add me to his credit card we did exactly that. Sure enough not long thereafter the "pre-approved" credit card offers started coming in the mail in my name. I finally decided to give one of them a try and got approved for $2,000! And I started with a good credit score because I think with my husband adding me to his account I "inherited" his good credit score by default.

So get your spouse to add you to one of his cards and you should be able to apply for your own card soon after that.

Edited March 15, 2006 by Steffi

[Reba 2]

I had an MBNA Canada card, and then once I got a job here in the US, I applied to MBNA America, gave them my Canadian account number and credit limit of good standing, they contacted them, and then approved me here.

Some have also done this with AMEX.

As someone else mentioned, sometimes the store credit cards are easier to get, but remember, every time you apply somewhere and are rejected, that's a negative hit on your credit bureau.

[bettenan 1]

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get credit started in our new spouse's names? I can get some places to add him to my credit accounts as an authorized user, but they won't let him have is own credit account because he doesn't have a credit history here. We need ideas & suggestions on how to get him some credit started.

Mitzi

My hubby had the same problem. After being turned down by a major cc company for having no credit he called and asked for advice. They said to try a department store. Sure enough he went to Sears with his 10 minute old drivers license and they gladly gave him credit...on the spot.

[motu 6]

Funny thing, I signed her up for an American Airlines 'frequent flier miles account' and a few months later we received an application from CITI bank for her to get a credit card (a std. forms letter saying she is pre-approved - we didn't apply for it as they do charge you a fee (after the first year - the first year is free.)) CITI bank is associated with Americn Airlines in some form or the other. So, I don't know if they would have issued her one or not. Good Luck

[notrepetiteashley 0]

Don't know if it's been mentioned before, but you also have to have a US driver's license for many cards like Target and Wal-Mart, for instance. For Target you can have a State issued ID, but Wal-Mart requires a DL.

Side note: I like how capital one advertises a card for people who have no credit & are new to the country, but deny someone ((my husband!)) who fits both of those categories! Grrr.

[Decoder 0]

First of all you need a ss# and income to apply for a cc in the US. You can sometimes get a dept store cc w/o income. If you don't have that then you can get an additional card made from your husband/wife in your name, but it doesnt go towrds your credit.