Shopping with a credit card is pretty handy. After all, you won’t have
to carry a lot of cash, and you’ll be able to afford high-ticket items,
especially if you have a high limit.
A credit card is now commonly used worldwide but getting one isn’t as
simple as you might think. For one, many banks, financial corporations, and
major issuers have strict requirements and background checks regarding borrower
approval. They would want to deal with people who can pay what they owe at the
end of the billing cycle and those with high creditworthiness.
Before you start the application, you might want to research first
about your options and the paperwork that various financial institutions
usually require so you can prepare for them. With proper research, you’ll be
able to estimate your chances of getting approved and save yourself from
rejections and hard inquiries that can lower your credit score in the future.
Qualifications to Know About
1. You should be at
the Right Age
Generally, the right age is defined as 18 years or older. This is
typically the legal age where people can search for work and have a steady
source of income. If you don’t have a job yet, there’s an option where you can
get a joint credit card with your family or friends.
Some banks have an income requirement that states that you don’t
specifically have a full-time job before you can qualify. Other students will
just use their annual earnings from their part-time college jobs on their
application to get higher chances of approval. When you have an income that’s
high enough, then you can use the pay stub to apply and start building your
credit rating at a young age.
2. You Have your
Own Source of Funds
A source of income or incoming funds is another requirement that many
banks look for. Any access to a household income will also help, and reasonable
access to shared properties, deposits, savings accounts, and regular transfers
are good enough to get approved.
This is great for students who receive allowances from their parents.
They don’t have to get their parents involved with the process unless they are
opening a joint account with them. As long as they are getting regular
transfers, then this can be a great option for them.
When you have a reliable source of income, you can be a low-risk
borrower in the lenders’ eyes. However, the amount that you’re receiving should
be high enough for them to consider your application.
3. Get Help from a
Co-borrower
When you cannot qualify for a credit card when you apply alone,
consider getting help from a co-borrower. This person should be old enough and
has sufficient income so you can get the card that you need,
4. Excellent Credit History
Your history of paying on time and not defaulting on any loans will
usually reflect on your credit report. When you have a high score, know that you
can get the approval you want in just a few business days. Other issuers are
always looking for borrowers with clean records and no history of bankruptcy.
You can also find someone who can approve your application as long as they see
that you don’t have any delinquent records and late payments for the past three
years.
You can still get approved if you have a low score and a negative
history of paying late. However, the lenders will give you a high-interest rate
and a not-so-good term. Some banks where you got a charge-off will not even
allow any re-application, and you have to wait for at least a few years before
re-applying.
5. Security
Deposits Might Help
Those with low credit scores might want to save up a lot to get a
credit card. You might want to apply at https://kredittkortinfo.no/kredittkort-på-dagen/ and see what their requirements are for people
who want to get their cards on the same day. When the financiers know that
you’ve saved up a significant amount over time and have a low debt-to-income
ratio, you’re boosting your chances of getting approved.
This is because your savings account usually serves as a security
deposit to the credit card. This makes it a secured loan where you’ll have the
chance to build your score. When you can complete at least a year of on-time
payments, this can be the best time to apply for an unsecured credit card. It’s
also worth noting that this is a great step, provided that you don’t have any
delinquent or negative reports added to your account.
The security deposit can be as low as $100 to 200. When you currently
don’t have that much to spare, you might want to start saving up $50 to $100
until the money accumulates.
6. Don’t Have Too
Many Debts
Your debt-to-income ratio should be lower, and you should minimize
getting into debt. This is when you should sit down and write your creditors
and the total amount of money you owe. When you’re always in debt, this can
reflect on your report, and when you’re always maximizing your credit limit,
this will show the lenders that you’re not too good at handling your finances.
The best way to go is to keep all of your debts below 30% of their
limit. The issuer might make a comparison to your income and decide on whether
you can afford to pay them or not. They will usually base their decisions on
the figures and numbers that they see on your report, so you will have to make
sure that everything is clean and stellar before applying.
However, know that a co-signer takes all the risks with the borrower,
especially in times of default. If you’re not going to pay back what you owe,
the co-borrower is going to be the one responsible for paying everything back,
and this can result in damaged relationships.
You might want to be an authorized user of a savings or checking
account when you want to boost your chances of getting approved instead of
getting help from a co-signer. See more about co-signers on this page here.
Proven Tips to
Build your Credit
Applying at the
Right Place
You might want to start with the bank where you have had an
established relationship for years while trying to get an unsecured credit
card. Getting the first card is always challenging, but afterwards, it will be
a breeze, especially if you prove that you’re creditworthy. When you already
have a checking account, you can start with a credit builder loan or a secured
credit card and work towards paying everything in full at the end of the
billing cycle.
Retail Offers
Some companies provide retail offers, and this is easier for
beginners. They are generally issued from a group of stores or a credit union.
It’s easy to get approved with them fast, but they can come at a higher price.
The interest rates of the remaining unpaid balance can be higher, and before
you know it, you’re already buried in debt. On the other hand, if you’re able
to meet your monthly obligations in full, this can be a good starting point to
getting a major credit card.
Secured Cards
As mentioned, secured credit cards will require you to have a deposit
before they can be issued to you. The limit is generally the same amount as the
figures in your savings card, and they can be converted into an unsecured loan
when you are a responsible borrower. Always keep your accounts in good
standing, and the bank may offer to convert them before long.
Some of the issuers may offer you different rates. Shop around and
look for providers with the best terms so you can repay everything in full at
the end of the month. The ideal cards are those that don’t have any annual fees
and have lower interest rates.