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Building credit

Building credit is a confusing process for many newcomers to the U.S. Learn the ins and outs of how to build your credit and reap the benefits.

March 11, 2020
The best secured credit cards in 2020

A secured credit card is a tool that you can use to establish and build your credit in the United States. Credit card companies create these cards specifically for people who are new to credit or who currently have poor credit

March 11, 2020
Petal Visa credit card review: Build credit without paying fees

The Petal Visa Credit Card might not be the best fit for everyone, but it could be a good option if you’re new to the U.S. and want to build credit. In this article, we’ll share some highlights of the card, dive into the details and then share some alternative cards.

March 11, 2020
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card Review: No credit or bank account required

Navigating the U.S. credit system can be tricky for Americans and newcomers alike. A secured credit card can be a helpful stepping stone—applicants can get approved even if they have “bad” credit or no credit at all.

March 11, 2020
How to apply for U.S. credit cards with your Canadian credit history

If you're a Canadian moving to the U.S, you can now use your Canadian credit history to apply for a credit card, rent an apartment or take out a loan in the States—and build a U.S. credit score in the process. Learn more in this article.

March 18, 2020
How Brits can use their international credit history in the United States

In the past, different credit reporting systems, technical challenges and laws made it difficult to share credit information across international borders, even when the credit reporting agencies operate in both countries. Today, it’s possible to transfer your UK credit history to the U.S. and access products and services from credit cards to apartment rentals, student loans and more here in the United States. We explain more about how in this article.

January 23, 2020
What is a thin credit file?

When you have a thin credit file, lenders won’t have enough information on your personal finance history to make an informed decision on your application. However, there are strategies you can use to thicken your credit file quickly so you can access affordable interest rates, products and services here in the U.S. 

January 23, 2020
What is an unsecured credit card?

In the U.S., there are two types of credit cards available: secured and unsecured cards. Both cards serve a different purpose, but there is a remarkable difference between the two. In this article, we'll look at the benefits of unsecured cards and how they compare to secured credit card accounts.

January 23, 2020
How to write a goodwill letter to remove a late payment

Even one late payment can negatively impact your credit score and make it harder to qualify for future loans and secure good interest rates. If you have a good record of managing your finances, some creditors may remove the late payment from your report if you write a goodwill letter.

January 23, 2020
When is your credit score high enough in the U.S.?

When it comes to moving to the United States, one of your most important considerations should be your credit score. You probably already know that the higher your credit score, the better—but when is your credit score considered high enough in the U.S.?

January 23, 2020
When should I ask for a credit limit increase?

When should you look for a credit limit increase? If you want a credit increase, you’re likely to get one: a recent poll revealed that 85 percent of cardholders who asked for a higher credit limit received one. A credit increase can not only improve your credit score, but it can also you access to more funds.

January 23, 2020
Credit age: How the length of credit history affects your credit score

The length of your credit history is one of the biggest factors that affect your credit score. Find out why in this article, as well as how to improve your credit score despite having a younger credit history.

January 23, 2020
How to dispute credit report errors

One in five consumers has an error that a credit bureau corrected after the consumer disputed the mistake. Learn about who you can correct inaccuracies on your credit report.

January 23, 2020
How do credit card rewards work in the U.S.?

In the U.S., there are three main types of credit card reward programs: cash back, issuer rewards programs and co-branded rewards programs. Before signing up for a new card, learn about the differences to determine which card might be right for you.

March 11, 2020
How credit cards can help you build credit history

Why the craze for credit cards? They often offer rewards, have stronger fraud liability protections than debit cards and allow you to pay off large balances over time. Credit cards can also play an important role in helping you establish and build your credit.

January 23, 2020
What is an average credit score?

The two primary credit scoring modes in the U.S., FICO and Vantage Score, consider similar factors and use a similar range of scores

January 23, 2020
How to combine credit cards

Keeping track of the balances and payments on several cards can be daunting, but there is a way to cut down on the number of cards or payments you make: balance transfer.

January 23, 2020
How to start building credit at age 18

Establishing credit takes time, but starting early also teaches you valuable lifelong lessons such as managing debt and finances.

February 3, 2020
Who should (and who shouldn’t) get the Amex Platinum Card?

American Express is one of the most popular card issuers due to the considerable rewards offered by its wide variety of cards. Below, we provide a guide to one of the most popular cards the Amex Platinum card.

March 3, 2020
What’s the difference? Principal vs. interest

Two common terms often used in the world of banking and personal finance are principal and interest. We explain the difference between the two and apply these concepts.

March 11, 2020
The best credit cards for people with no credit history [2020]

Getting a credit card can be difficult when you’ve recently moved to the U.S. and don’t have a local credit history. So we made a list of great credit cards that you can get without a U.S. credit history.

February 25, 2020
How to apply for an American Express card with your international credit history

Crossing the border used to mean losing the credit history you built at home, but you can now apply for a card with your international credit card through our partnership with American Express

January 23, 2020
No U.S. credit history? No problem if you want to apply for a credit card

Building a U.S. credit history is important for anyone who’s recently moved to the U.S. because a good credit score is required to do basic tasks like rent an apartment, lease a car and get a cell phone plan.

March 11, 2020
How to get a credit score without a Social Security number

While a social security number is an identifier that credit bureaus use to locate and collect your information, it’s only one of several identifiers.

January 23, 2020
Is no credit better than bad credit?

Are you more likely to get approved if your credit history doesn’t exist or if your credit score is poor? We discuss which is worse: bad credit or no credit.

January 23, 2020
What is a credit reference? Definitions and examples

Credit references are documents that show the credit history of loan applicants and are also often used to support rental applications.

January 23, 2020
The benefits of having good credit

Credit scores can have a big impact on quality of life. In the United States, a good credit history has numerous benefits.

March 5, 2020
How to apply for a credit card without a Social Security number [2020]

Don't have an SSN yet? Several card issuers allow you to apply for a credit card with no Social Security Number. This is a complete guide on how to get credit cards without an SSN.

January 23, 2020
How to get a credit score after moving to the U.S.

We showcase real stories of people who newly arrived in the U.S. and how they built their credit scores, and give advice on how you can skip these steps all together if you only want a credit card.

February 28, 2020
How to use your international credit report to get credit in the U.S.

Newcomers to the United States used to have to build credit from scratch — now they can transfer their international credit report to the U.S. to apply for credit cards, loans, housing and more.

March 11, 2020
How to build credit in the U.S.

If you recently moved to the United States for school, work or family, you will face all the joys but also the tribulations of relocation

January 23, 2020
What is a good credit score?

Getting a good credit score can take time, especially if you just moved to the U.S. — but it’s not impossible

March 12, 2020
Best credit cards for non-U.S. citizens [2020]

Whether you’re temporarily moving to the U.S. for school or work, or making a long-term transition, you may be looking to open a new credit card

January 23, 2020
What is a secured credit card?

A secured credit card is a popular choice for people new to credit or working to rebuild their credit

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