Once you hit this credit score, experts say you're 'good' — here's how to get there

[TBoneTX 45,014]

Presented because it's interesting and potentially helpful.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once you hit this credit score, experts say you're 'good' — here's how to get there

 

These days, it's common for lenders, cell phone companies, landlords and even utility providers to check your credit before deciding if they want to do business with you.

The big question, though, is what exactly you must do to impress those companies and make them comfortable taking you on as a customer.  Most credit scoring systems run on a scale of 300 to 850, but do you really need a perfect score to get the best rates?  [...]

 

Continues:

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/once-hit-credit-score-experts-112000169.html

[yuna628 9,665]

1 hour ago, TBoneTX said:

Presented because it's interesting and potentially helpful.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once you hit this credit score, experts say you're 'good' — here's how to get there

 

These days, it's common for lenders, cell phone companies, landlords and even utility providers to check your credit before deciding if they want to do business with you.

The big question, though, is what exactly you must do to impress those companies and make them comfortable taking you on as a customer.  Most credit scoring systems run on a scale of 300 to 850, but do you really need a perfect score to get the best rates?  [...]

 

Continues:

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/once-hit-credit-score-experts-112000169.html

I found it kind of funny earlier this year when we wanted to apply for a new credit card at one of the big companies. My husband has a nearly perfect credit score and never had any trouble before, but after applying the company seemed to have some sort of problem that we couldn't quite figure out, and after a few odd phone calls we felt really uncomfortable proceeding any further because it seemed very discriminatory if not shady. So I called our local bank about applying for a card and came in for an appointment and were approved within a day. These days it seems an excellent score isn't the deciding factor.

[OldUser 6,456]

47 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

I found it kind of funny earlier this year when we wanted to apply for a new credit card at one of the big companies. My husband has a nearly perfect credit score and never had any trouble before, but after applying the company seemed to have some sort of problem that we couldn't quite figure out, and after a few odd phone calls we felt really uncomfortable proceeding any further because it seemed very discriminatory if not shady. So I called our local bank about applying for a card and came in for an appointment and were approved within a day. These days it seems an excellent score isn't the deciding factor.

When it comes to credit card game, there's many things besides the score to keep in mind.

 

Capital One, for example, can only issue 2 cards max per client (not cobranded cards). 

 

Chase won't give any more credit cards if somebody has  5 or more hard enquiries in the last 24 months.

 

There's many nuances indeed.

[top_secret 2,374]

56 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

So I called our local bank about applying for a card and came in for an appointment and were approved within a day. These days it seems an excellent score isn't the deciding factor.

 

One thing we found to be a significant hurdle, is having a brand new social security number.  My wife had a 750 credit score when she arrived and we figured everything would be smooth sailing.  However, she was turned down at first for several credit cards in her name only.  Even recently after she has been here close to three years and has a 790 credit score Chase made her upload a scan of her social security card before they approved her.  B of A denied her online, then mailed her a letter asking for written authorization to verify her SS# with SSA plus tax returns as proof of income.  It seemed a bit much for a credit card, but we sent in what they asked for and they still denied her again stating they couldn't verify her SS# even though she gave them written authorization to verify it with SSA.  I'm pretty sure if she had gone into the branch and applied in person she could have resolved the SS# issue but we were fed up with B of A by then and didn't follow through.

[OldUser 6,456]

13 minutes ago, top_secret said:

My wife had a 750 credit score when she arrived and we figured everything would be smooth sailing.  

How did she build the US credit score not living in the US?

[Rekyrts 40]

47 minutes ago, OldUser said:

When it comes to credit card game, there's many things besides the score to keep in mind.

 

Capital One, for example, can only issue 2 cards max per client (not cobranded cards). 

 

Chase won't give any more credit cards if somebody has  5 or more hard enquiries in the last 24 months.

 

There's many nuances indeed.

 

Great info... one slight correction: the Chase 5/24 rule applies to new accounts opened, not inquiries. Indeed, it is very nuanced. Amex can be generous, CapOne is a tri-puller, Synchrony is bi-polar... good to know what lenders do what.

 

Credit literacy is so key for immigrants... and, really, Americans as a whole. Re: the early question, creditworthiness is a bit more than a score. For example, a 750 with a thick file (several years of diverse credit with responsible usage) and good income beats, say, a 780 with a thin file (few accounts) and low income.

 

And how can someone with with a thin file get a high score? Not too hard, and it does apply to immigrants... having a new spouse or child added as an AU to an established account allows them to legally develop a credit history.

[Rekyrts 40]

35 minutes ago, top_secret said:

 

One thing we found to be a significant hurdle, is having a brand new social security number.  My wife had a 750 credit score when she arrived and we figured everything would be smooth sailing.  However, she was turned down at first for several credit cards in her name only.  Even recently after she has been here close to three years and has a 790 credit score Chase made her upload a scan of her social security card before they approved her.  B of A denied her online, then mailed her a letter asking for written authorization to verify her SS# with SSA plus tax returns as proof of income.  It seemed a bit much for a credit card, but we sent in what they asked for and they still denied her again stating they couldn't verify her SS# even though she gave them written authorization to verify it with SSA.  I'm pretty sure if she had gone into the branch and applied in person she could have resolved the SS# issue but we were fed up with B of A by then and didn't follow through.

 

It takes a while for a credit report to be generated, and for that to happen, one needs a few accounts reporting to one's file. So, for immigrants, one of the best ways to do that is to become an AU on, say, established spouse's accounts. 

 

Opening up an account at a local bank (credit unions are great) and then following up with a secured credit card are great intro steps to jumpstarting one's credit file. Opening up the account allows the bank to have your SS#, and then there shouldn't be too much of an issue with them then reporting the secured account to the bureaus. Once that happens, one can find other creditors.

 

Of course, this is all moot if one cannot budget and use credit in a responsible manner (i.e paying off statement balance to zero monthly).

[OldUser 6,456]

1 hour ago, Rekyrts said:

 

Great info... one slight correction: the Chase 5/24 rule applies to new accounts opened, not inquiries.

True

[yuna628 9,665]

2 hours ago, top_secret said:

 

One thing we found to be a significant hurdle, is having a brand new social security number.  My wife had a 750 credit score when she arrived and we figured everything would be smooth sailing.  However, she was turned down at first for several credit cards in her name only.  Even recently after she has been here close to three years and has a 790 credit score Chase made her upload a scan of her social security card before they approved her.  B of A denied her online, then mailed her a letter asking for written authorization to verify her SS# with SSA plus tax returns as proof of income.  It seemed a bit much for a credit card, but we sent in what they asked for and they still denied her again stating they couldn't verify her SS# even though she gave them written authorization to verify it with SSA.  I'm pretty sure if she had gone into the branch and applied in person she could have resolved the SS# issue but we were fed up with B of A by then and didn't follow through.

I see BofA put you through the same thing that Chase did to us. We just gave up too. The reps were obnoxious and barely literate on the phone it felt like a giant runaround scam. My husband had a secured card when just starting out and moved to a full card not long after, with excellent credit, he makes a decent living, and in good standing with the local bank I'm glad they were willing to give us a chance at least. 

[Scandi 4,142]

Good post, credit score is so important in this country, something I wasn't quite aware of before moving here. 

I have to say though, it has been A LOT easier building a credit score than I could've ever imagined. It seemed like a daunting task when I first moved here, I was under the impression that you pretty much had to have loans/mortgages and what not in order to get a good score. Luckily it was a lot easier than that. I have never had a loan or debt in my life, and especially didn't want to have any once I moved here. Between my (1) first credit card (a secured cc that I got a couple of years after moving here), my (2) only current "real" credit card and (3) on-time payments, I have an credit score of 815/850 after having a credit history for about 6 years. 

But even with a good score I still haven't had a credit history very long, so it would probably still impact me in certain ways if I were to apply for a larger loan or such. Nothing I can do about that. 

Bank of America has been super helpful with both credit cards. After having my secured card for about a year I just walked into my local BoA and applied for a cash back card and was approved while till seated in front of the bank lady. It was the easiest thing, took a couple of minutes - never asked to see SS card, tax returns, nothing. 

Have only ever dealt with Chase through my MIL and her accounts there, and they have been absolutely horrible on all accounts. Never ever will I have any kind of business with Chase myself after what we have had to deal with with them. 

Advice to newcomers - don't close a credit card if you're trying to build credit. If you started out with a secured credit card and are now moving on to a "real" credit card, just call the secured cc company and have the yearly fee taken off (if the card has one) and keep the card active by spending a small amount with it every now and then. It is part of your credit history and if you close it, it will impact your score.

[Rekyrts 40]

Great advice...

 

@Scandi, I couldn't agree more with you and @OldUser. Credit is so important, especially for newbies to the country, and not enough is said about it. it is something I am very passionate about. My generation is the one that sold its creditworthiness for a few T-shirts on campus!

 

My advice is for immigrants to take the same amount of time they use to learn about immigration to learn about credit. Building and maintaining good credit saves a LOT. Also, some creditors are better than others, and it pays to be as picky as you can be. Also, do NOT lie on credit applications, especially about status.

 

Several companies provide preapprovals, which, while not 100% guarantees, come pretty close: Amex, Capital One, Discover etc. Using credit cards should not equate to carrying debt, and savvy use can actually make you money by way of Cashback and points. If one is tempted to spend more than they have, it's better to use a debit card or cash IMHO.

 

Teaching my kids about the importance of credit is one of the ways I hope to influence them in the long run. 

[NorthByNorthwest 323]

I would add that if you've been an American Express customer in another country (in good standing obviously) it is trivial to get a card in the US through their Global Relationship program - https://www.americanexpress.com/us/customer-service/global-card-relationship/ based on your history with them rather than actual credit score.

 

Similarly if you've been a customer with HSBC elsewhere you can fairly easily get a credit card through them..

[top_secret 2,374]

19 hours ago, OldUser said:

How did she build the US credit score not living in the US?

 

 

The 750 score when she arrived was 100% based only on her being an authorized user on my cards for a number of years.

[OldUser 6,456]

17 minutes ago, top_secret said:

 

 

The 750 score when she arrived was 100% based only on her being an authorized user on my cards for a number of years.

Good to know, thank you

[Rekyrts 40]

6 hours ago, top_secret said:

 

 

The 750 score when she arrived was 100% based only on her being an authorized user on my cards for a number of years.

 

It's a great way to start to responsibly give kids a good start too. Some cards allow you to add your kids when they are 14, which gives them 4 years of AU credit history when they turn 18. They don't even have to have the cards in their possession.

 

Banks do know to filter for AU-boosted scores in their decisioning, but adding someone as an AU helps them establish credit; do make sure the account(s) they are being added to are positive tradelines, because they inherit the good and bad (if any).