Will a basic checking bank account give me some form of credit history.
#16
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,157
Re: Will a basic checking bank account give me some form of credit history.
#17
Re: Will a basic checking bank account give me some form of credit history.
Not sure that's the kind of credit history the OP was after, guys.
Anyway, the answer is, as suggested by some, no. It may get you some street cred with the bank at which your account resides. Or it may not.
Anyway, the answer is, as suggested by some, no. It may get you some street cred with the bank at which your account resides. Or it may not.
#18
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Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 58
Re: Will a basic checking bank account give me some form of credit history.
Ive been here 14 months or so now and although my credit score is mid 600s which I think is Average/Fair I still cant get a loan in my own name because of lack of History. I guess in another 6 months I may be ok.
Secured credit cards are the way to go, they would let me get one of those the day I opened my account.
Secured credit cards are the way to go, they would let me get one of those the day I opened my account.
#19
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Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
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Re: Will a basic checking bank account give me some form of credit history.
"Credit history" means having a history of credit! That means you purchase something on credit and then pay the credit bill - or not. I don't see how having a basic checking account will help in that regard.
#20
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 65
Re: Will a basic checking bank account give me some form of credit history.
pissing match on bank history. Almost as much fun as newbie bashing.
#21
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Will a basic checking bank account give me some form of credit history.
Ive been here 14 months or so now and although my credit score is mid 600s which I think is Average/Fair I still cant get a loan in my own name because of lack of History. I guess in another 6 months I may be ok.
Secured credit cards are the way to go, they would let me get one of those the day I opened my account.
Secured credit cards are the way to go, they would let me get one of those the day I opened my account.
#22
Re: Will a basic checking bank account give me some form of credit history.
Lack of credit history probably
#25
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Will a basic checking bank account give me some form of credit history.
Honestly, I really don't see what the hassles are getting non secured cards, because as I say, I got three top ones within a week of being here.
NB: My status here is on an L1-A visa as a senior manager + commensurate salary.
#26
Re: Will a basic checking bank account give me some form of credit history.
Ive been here 14 months or so now and although my credit score is mid 600s which I think is Average/Fair I still cant get a loan in my own name because of lack of History. I guess in another 6 months I may be ok.
Secured credit cards are the way to go, they would let me get one of those the day I opened my account.
Secured credit cards are the way to go, they would let me get one of those the day I opened my account.
#27
Re: Will a basic checking bank account give me some form of credit history.
It's entirely possible. My AMEX was opened using my account history in the UK. Bank of America gave me two of their top cards no issues - the Platinum straight from checking account opening and the second after speaking with one of their underwriters about my financial circumstances.
Honestly, I really don't see what the hassles are getting non secured cards, because as I say, I got three top ones within a week of being here.
NB: My status here is on an L1-A visa as a senior manager + commensurate salary.
Honestly, I really don't see what the hassles are getting non secured cards, because as I say, I got three top ones within a week of being here.
NB: My status here is on an L1-A visa as a senior manager + commensurate salary.
Amex certainly helps with their global transfer.
Still, your situation of getting two other cards is not usual, even for high rollers.
#28
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Joined: May 2009
Location: Once was the Garden of England
Posts: 59
Re: Will a basic checking bank account give me some form of credit history.
Code:
Honestly, I really don't see what the hassles are getting non secured cards, because as I say, I got three top ones within a week of being here.
rculater
#29
Re: Will a basic checking bank account give me some form of credit history.
Honestly, banks can issue credit cards to anyone they want to, not having a credit score is not an absolute bar to getting credit. But if you immigrate with no job, or a low paid job, and no credit history, (as many posters here on BE apparently do) it will be very tough to get most banks to issue you with a credit card. However, if you show up in the US on a job transfer, at a senior level, with "commensurate salary", the rules are not going to be the same.
#30
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Will a basic checking bank account give me some form of credit history.
I found that even AMEX wouldn't open up an account for me using my UK history until I had a SSN.