Find Out Your Best Buy Credit Card Approval Odds
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This question is about the Best Buy® Credit Card
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Your Best Buy® Credit Card approval odds are pretty good as long as your credit score is at least good. There are actually two Best Buy credit cards, the Best Buy® Credit Card and the Best Buy® Store Card that you can only use at Best Buy. If you don’t get the Best Buy® Credit Card, you’ll be automatically considered for the Best Buy Store Card, which requires fair credit. But there’s more to Best Buy® Credit Card approval than just your credit score.
Here are the Best Buy credit card approval requirements:
- Credit score: fair for the store card, good for the Visa.
- Age: 18+ years old (21 in Puerto Rico).
- Mailing address. Must be located in the U.S.
- Social Security Number. You need an SSN to apply and can’t substitute an ITIN.
- Income. The amount of money you make factors heavily into approval.
Be sure to check your credit score before applying. If it’s below 640, take time to improve your score first. Even a month can make a big difference. But if it’s more than a minor fix, you might want to put a deposit on a secured credit card and use that for credit rebuilding purposes until you get into the fair credit range.
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Edward Kreitem, Speaker / Smart is.
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I just applied for the Best Buy card, I was approved for a Visa Best Buy issued by Citibank, I had 616 score, I had no lates, no collections, one inquiry, one open account and two closed account, all of them are paid good, they did only Equifax to make a decision.
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I have had a Best Buy Store Card for 16 years; however, they automatically converted it to the Visa Best Buy card and mu limit was made to be $60,000, but I think that is because I had regularly used the card and had it for so long.
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The main Best Buy® Credit Card requirements are that an applicant must be at least 18 years old with a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Applicants must also have a physical U.S. address, enough income to make monthly minimum payments, and at least good credit.
The same requirements apply to the Best Buy® Store Card, too, except that this card requires at least fair credit for approval.
Best Buy® Credit Card Requirements
- At least 18 years…
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You can check your Best Buy® Credit Card application status either online or by calling customer service at (888) 574-1301. Both methods are quick and easy, and will tell you whether your application is approved, denied or still pending.
The same methods apply to the Best Buy® Store Card, too. If your application is approved, you can expect your new card to arrive by mail within 10 business days.
How to Check Your Best Buy® Credit Card Application Status Online
- Go…
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The credit score that you need for the Best Buy Store Card is 640, at a minimum. That means Best Buy Store Card requires fair credit or better for approval. There are other things besides your credit score that are taken into account for Best Buy Store Card approval.
Here’s what you need to get approved for the Best Buy Store Card:
- The basics. You will need a U.S. mailing address and a Social Security Number (SSN). You also need to be at…
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For the credit card, you should have somewhere around 700. For the store version, it’s a bit more lenient, around 640.
At the end of the day, you need more than just a good enough score, your income will also come into play.
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WalletHub is committed to transparency and editorial independence. The information about the following cards has been independently collected by WalletHub: Best Buy® Credit Card, Best Buy® Store Card, and Best Buy® Gold Visa Credit Card
WalletHub Answers is a free service that helps consumers access financial information. Information on WalletHub Answers is provided “as is” and should not be considered financial, legal or investment advice. WalletHub is not a financial advisor, law firm, “lawyer referral service,” or a substitute for a financial advisor, attorney, or law firm. You may want to hire a professional before making any decision. WalletHub does not endorse any particular contributors and cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of any information posted. The helpfulness of a financial advisor’s answer is not indicative of future advisor performance.
WalletHub members have a wealth of knowledge to share, and we encourage everyone to do so while respecting our content guidelines. This question was posted by WalletHub. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not a financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.
Ad Disclosure: Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers, and this will be noted on an offer’s details page using the designation “Sponsored”, where applicable. Advertising may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.
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WalletHub Answers is a free service that helps consumers access financial information. Information on WalletHub Answers is provided “as is” and should not be considered financial, legal or investment advice. WalletHub is not a financial advisor, law firm, “lawyer referral service,” or a substitute for a financial advisor, attorney, or law firm. You may want to hire a professional before making any decision. WalletHub does not endorse any particular contributors and cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of any information posted. The helpfulness of a financial advisor’s answer is not indicative of future advisor performance.
WalletHub members have a wealth of knowledge to share, and we encourage everyone to do so while respecting our content guidelines. This question was posted by WalletHub. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not a financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.
Ad Disclosure: Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers, and this will be noted on an offer’s details page using the designation “Sponsored”, where applicable. Advertising may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.
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Best Buy Credit Card Review
Let’s face it — electronics can be expensive. New and improved ultra HDTVs, the latest laptops and tablets, wearable tech, smart home security, virtual reality, and gaming systems – it’s enough to make your head spin!
What if we told you that there was a way to earn a bit of that hard-earned cash-back in rewards? You’d be interested, right?
In this in-depth review, we go over the Best Buy credit cards from Citibank, discussing the benefits provided and the drawbacks of the cards.
Then, we’ll touch on a few alternative rewards-based credit cards that are certainly worth considering if you think the Best Buy cards aren’t for you (or you simply want to start earning some cash-back in all areas of your life).
The My Best Buy Credit Cards at a Glance
My Best Buy® Visa® Card | My Best Buy Credit Card | |
Main Benefits |
|
|
Annual Fee | $0 or $59, depending on the card tier | $0 |
APR | 25.24% (variable) unless opting for special financing | 25.24% (variable) unless opting for special financing |
Late Fee | Up to $40 | Up to $40 |
Best Buy has 2 tiers of consumer credit cards: the Visa cards and the standard card.
Visa cardholders can utilize their card anywhere Visa is accepted. This means that you have the opportunity to earn rewards on more spending, and you also have cash advance and balance transfer options. Additionally, you’ll see the My Best Buy® Visa® Gold carries a $59 annual fee, while none of the other cards have an annual fee.
Standard cardholders of the My Best Buy card can only utilize the card at Best Buy. This means that you only have the option of 5% or 6% back in rewards and do not qualify for cash advances or balance transfers.
Hot Tip: Rewards are earned as My Best Buy points; once enough points are earned, the shopper is awarded a Rewards Certificate that can only be redeemed at Best Buy stores and BestBuy.com.
So how do you know which card to apply for? Technically, you don’t have to — you just submit 1 application and Citibank does the deciding for you. This can get a little confusing, so we’ll dig deeper in the next section.
Applying for a Best Buy Visa Card
Shoppers can apply for a Best Buy credit card in-store or online. If you choose to apply online, you’ll have to create a BestBuy.com account first.
When you apply for a Best Buy credit card, you simply fill out a single application. Citibank then considers all of your criteria and issues you an appropriate card based on your creditworthiness.
The fine print states you’re considered for these cards in the following order:
- My Best Buy® Visa® Platinum
- My Best Buy card
- My Best Buy® Visa® Gold
So, what credit score do you need for a Best Buy credit card? In general, you’ll need a good credit score to be approved for the top Visa card (generally 700-749). Otherwise, you’ll likely need a fair credit score (generally 660-699) to qualify for the standard Best Buy version.
Upon application review, some people will be approved instantly. However, other applicants for this card may need further review, resulting in a waiting period of up to 7-10 days.
Also, it’s important to note that all applicants should be 18 years of age or older.
Sign-Up Bonuses
Image Credit: Best Buy
At times, Best Buy may offer specific sign-up bonuses. For example, at the time this piece was written, Best Buy was offering 10% back in rewards (or flexible financing) on the applicant’s first day of purchases after approval.
Best Buy Credit Card Rewards and the My Best Buy Program
When you apply for a Best Buy credit card, you are requesting enrollment in the My Best Buy program (managed by Best Buy, not Citibank). To begin your membership (and start receiving benefits), you’ll want to verify and register your credit card online.
This membership allows you to receive the percent-back reward benefits listed for your specific credit card.
My Best Buy Visa Card |
My Best Buy Card |
|
5% back in rewards on Best Buy purchases | ✓ | ✓ |
6% back in rewards on Best Buy purchases for Elite Plus members | ✓ | ✓ |
3% back in rewards on gas purchases | ✓ | |
2% back in rewards on dining and grocery purchases | ✓ | |
1% back in rewards on everyday purchases | ✓ | |
Limited-time rotating bonus categories | ✓ |
Limitations/exceptions/exclusions apply of course, but in general, here’s how things break down:
- 5% back: Cardholders earn 2.
5 points per $1 spent, or 5% back in rewards, on qualifying Best Buy purchases when they choose “standard credit” with their Best Buy card
- 6% back for Elite Plus: Cardholders who are also Elite Plus members receive a 3 point bonus per $1 spent, or an additional 1% in rewards (for a total of 6%) when they choose “standard credit” with their Best Buy card
- To become an Elite Plus member, shoppers must spend a minimum of $3,500 on qualifying purchases at Best Buy stores, BestBuy.com, or on their My Best Buy Visa card in 1 calendar year
- 3% back on gas: Cardholders receive 1.5 points per $1 spent, or 3% back in rewards, on net purchases made at gas stations
- 2% back on dining and groceries: Cardholders receive 1 point per $1 spent, or 2% back in rewards, on net purchases made at restaurants, bars, and grocery stores
- 1% back anywhere else: Cardholders earn 1 point per $2 spent, or 1% back in rewards, on net purchases made outside of Best Buy, as long as the merchant accepts Visa
- Limited-time rotating bonus categories: Generally, each quarter, 1 or 2 categories are chosen to receive a bonus % back in rewards
Rewards Certificates
The My Best Buy Visa card has more opportunities to earn points that can be redeemed for Reward Certificates. Image Credit: Best Buy
Once a shopper reaches 250 points, they will receive a $5 Rewards Certificate via email. These rewards certificates can only be redeemed at Best Buy stores and BestBuy.com.
Elite or Elite Plus members can choose to bank their points or auto-issue a reward certificate when a certain level is reached.
Hot Tip: If you enjoy using your mobile wallet, note: “My Best Buy® Credit Card transactions that occur via a mobile wallet may not receive loyalty benefits or promotional financing offers.” So just in case, try to purchase with your actual physical card at all times.
Special Financing Options
Best Buy offers a couple of flexible financing options that shoppers can choose from. However, it is important to note that if a customer chooses special financing, they do not receive their 5% back in rewards — this is an either/or benefit.
Another important point to note is that Best Buy’s flexible financing utilizes a principle called deferred interest — we’ll talk more below about why that can be extremely dangerous.
Some financing options are available across the board with your Best Buy credit card, while some are “limited time only” offers. We’ve still included the limited time offers to give you an idea of Best Buy’s tendency to offer various promotions and financing options throughout the year (when you spend on your Best Buy card).
- 12 months deferred interest on $299+
- 18 months deferred interest on $499+ (limited time offer)
- 24 months deferred interest on $999+ (limited time offer)
- 24 months deferred interest on unlocked phone and Geek Squad purchases of $649+
- 24 months deferred interest on select exercise equipment and Geek Squad purchases of $799+
What is Deferred Interest?
If you pay off your balance in full by the end of the allotted time period, then you have succeeded in stretching out your payments with 0% APR.
However, if you do not pay your balance in full within the allotted time period, the full standard APR (25. 24% variable) will be charged to your account for every month back to the purchase date. This can be a financial nightmare, especially for big-ticket items.
Hot Tip: It’s also important to note that the minimum monthly payment due may not be enough to pay off your balance by the end of the promotional period — this is extremely sneaky! Be sure you’ve calculated your payments correctly and pay more than the minimum due when necessary.
So is it better to take the 5% back in rewards or the deferred interest? That depends. Let’s take a look at an example.
Say you want to purchase a new 55-inch Sony LED 4K Ultra HDTV for $800.
- The standard 5% rewards back option would yield a $40 return in Best Buy Rewards Certificates
- If you choose the 6-month flexible financing option and pay it off in full — congratulations, you’ve stretched out your payments successfully with 0% APR
- If you choose the 6-month flexible financing option and do not pay it off — you’ll have some decent fees added to your remaining balance
Here’s how it would shakedown if you could not pay off your balance. Let’s say you didn’t do your math from the start. So, you paid the minimum amount due on your credit card for the first couple of months – let’s call it $50.
You then realized this wouldn’t be enough, and even paid 3 times the minimum for the last 3 months.
Flexible Financing, Delinquent Account |
||
Payments | Balance | Interest Applied |
Month 1: $50 | $750 | $16.43 |
Month 2: $50 | $700 | $15.33 |
Month 3: $50 | $650 | $14.24 |
Month 4: $150 | $500 | $10.95 |
Month 5: $150 | $350 | $7.67 |
Month 6: $150 | $200 | $4.38 |
Total Interest Fees Accrued | $69.00 | |
New Remaining Balance | $200 + $69 = $269 |
In the final example above, you didn’t pay your balance in full for your new HDTV, so deferred interest was initiated. This means the standard 25.24% APR was applied to the balance for each month, all the way back to the purchase date.
What happens next?
At the end of your promotional period (6 months), the total interest fees accrued are then added to your remaining balance. If you cannot pay that off in full, the 25.24% standard interest is applied to your new total going forward.
You can easily see how this can become an issue… especially with bigger ticket items and deferred interest stretching over an 18- or 24-month period!
Bottom Line: If you can buy the item outright, do so and earn your 5% back in rewards. Only choose the flexible financing option if absolutely necessary, and only if you are confident you can pay off the balance in full in the allotted time period. Otherwise, the deferred interest will come back to bite you.
Additional Features of the Best Buy Credit Cards and My Best Buy Program
There are a few additional perks you’ll get from joining the My Best Buy program, plus a few you may receive simply by holding the Visa cards.
Your enrollment in the My Best Buy Program adds:
- Early access to sales and special offers
- Free shipping on purchases of $35 and up, with no minimum purchase requirements for Elite and Elite Plus members
- Exclusive member-only deals
- Free in-home consultation
- A special birthday gift during your birthday month
Members can qualify for My Best Buy Elite with $1,500 in purchases per calendar or My Best Buy Elite Plus with $3,500 in purchases per calendar year.
Your My Best Buy Visa card may also come with the following Visa benefits (see your cardmember benefits explanation):
- Fraud prevention
- Emergency card replacement
- Cardholder inquiry service
- Extended warranty manager service
- Travel and emergency assistance services
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Roadside dispatch
Fees and Drawbacks of the Best Buy Credit Cards
When it comes to credit card reviews, perhaps one of the most important sections is the fees and drawbacks. Credit card companies and retail stores clearly advertise the benefits and leave you wondering, “So, what are they hiding?” Well, let’s talk about fees first.
My Best Buy Visa card | My Best Buy card |
|
Annual Fee | $0 (My Best Buy Platinum card) $59 (My Best Buy Gold card) |
$0 |
Standard APR | 25.24% (variable) or less if opting for special financing | |
Balance Transfer APR | 25.24% (variable) | N/A |
Balance Transfer Fee | $15 or 5% of the amount of each transfer (whichever is greater) | N/A |
Cash Advance APR | 27.99% (variable) | N/A |
Cash Advance Fee | $10 or 5% of the amount of each advance (whichever is greater) | N/A |
Late Fee | Up to $40 | Up to $40 |
Returned Payment Fee | Up to $40 | Up to $40 |
Foreign Transaction Fee | None | N/A |
We’ve already discussed the hefty standard APR. These numbers creep up even higher if you’re entertaining the thought of a cash advance or balance transfer. Once you add the fees for the transactions on top of it all, the fees are unbelievably high.
Additionally, if you have trouble paying on time or your check bounces, you’re also paying a pretty penny in fees.
What About the Other Drawbacks?
The fact that Best Buy credit cards are not true cash-back cards is a HUGE drawback. Since you only earn your percentage back in the form of Best Buy Rewards Certificates, you can only spend them at Best Buy stores or BestBuy.com. You’re allowed to use your Visa anywhere, so why can’t you spend your rewards anywhere?
Additionally, if you can only get approved for the My Best Buy Visa Gold, you’re charged a $59 annual fee. You’d have to spend $1,200 at Best Buy (or even more on gas, dining, grocery, and everyday expenses) just to cover the cost of your annual fee.
What if you decide that all of the fees and drawbacks of the card aren’t worth it, but you still want to earn some rewards for the money you spend every day? That’s where some alternative rewards or cash-back credit cards come in.
Alternative Rewards Credit Cards (Our Recommendations)
If you’re looking for actual cash-back (instead of rewards that you can only spend at Best Buy), then there are some other rewarding cards that you might want to consider.
Alternatively, if travel is your thing then consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card that is one of the best (if not the best) travel rewards cards on the market.
You will earn 1 point per $1 spent at Best Buy stores and 2 points per $1 spent on all dining and travel purchases. Remember, the points you’ll be earning with this card are extremely valuable when used correctly!
Best Buy Credit Card Login and Online Account Management
No matter which credit card you receive, you can log in to the Best Buy or Citibank portal and manage your account online.
Here are some of the tasks you can perform online:
- View your statement
- Pay your bill
- Monitor your account activity
- Get exclusive offers
- Set up alerts
Final Thoughts
If you shop at Best Buy often and/or generally spend a good amount on electronics, then a Best Buy credit card could definitely come in handy, but only if you’re a responsible cardholder.
The fact that Visa versions of this credit card also earn points in categories outside of Best Buy (like dining, groceries, gas, etc.) is a big win, as most store-branded credit cards don’t offer this.
However, if you can’t pay off your balance in full and on-time, you’ll be hit with a really high APR. This scenario can happen easily with low minimum payments and promotional financing offers stretched over long periods of time.
Additionally, if you want a credit card where the rewards earned can be spent anywhere you wish, this card is not for you. You’re likely better off with an alternative cash-back credit card instead.
The information regarding the My Best Buy® Visa® Platinum, My Best Buy® Visa® Gold, and My Best Buy Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.
Everything you need to know about credit cards / Ural Bank for Reconstruction and Development
What is a grace period
The period during which you use borrowed funds (credit limit) without charging interest from the bank. Sometimes the grace period is called the “interest-free period” or “grace period”.
Which transactions are covered by the grace period
It all depends on the tariff plan on your card. For TP 26 “My Freedom” cards issued from March 22, 2022, the grace period is valid only for purchases.
Information on your tariff plan you can see below, in the “Documents” section.
Do I need to make any credit card payments during the grace period
Yes, the minimum payment is 1% or 3% of the outstanding amount.
You can see the exact amount of the minimum payment for your tariff plan below, in the “Documents” section.
What is the minimum payment
This is the minimum requirement to exclude overdue debts. The date of the minimum payment = the date (day) of the opening of the loan agreement, it must be paid within 20 days. Make the minimum payments on the specified dates, the amount can be viewed in the mobile application.
What is the minimum payment calculation date?
How to understand when to make the minimum payment
View in the mobile application. And, if you have not paid the payment amount, we will send you an SMS with a reminder 5 days before the date set (the end of the payment period).
What is the Pay Period
What is the Pay Period – the minimum payment period. Follows from the date following the settlement date and lasts 20 calendar days.
What will happen if you do not make the minimum payment on the card
The limit on the card will be blocked, the grace period will be suspended, % for using the loan will be charged on the entire amount of the debt, interest will be charged on the amount of the minimum payment (20% per annum).
Made the minimum payment, but there was an overdue debt. Why?
The payment must be paid on the set date (inclusive) before 19:00 Moscow time, and also wait for the debit (at night).
Otherwise, an overdue debt will arise, since the funds will be debited only on the next calendar day (night). After repayment of the debt, the status of the loan agreement will be restored.
Which banks’ ATMs allow you to withdraw cash from your credit card without commission?
You can withdraw cash without additional commission (that is, a commission on top of the one determined by credit card tariffs) at ATMs of the following partner banks: UBRD, VUZ-bank, Alfa-Bank, Raiffeisenbank, VTB Bank, Promsvyazbank, AK Bars Bank.
When withdrawing money from an ATM of a bank that is not part of the partner network, a commission may be charged both from the side of UBRD (in accordance with the tariffs of a credit card) and from a third-party bank.
Withdrawal may not be included in the credit card grace period, pay attention to the tariff plan!
How the bank checks my application
The bank checks your personal data and credit history to determine your credit load.
The suggested limit depends on your credit history and monthly income.
In case of refusal, the bank has the right not to disclose the reasons for its decision.
Are there any special offers for withdrawing funds without commission UBRD
Unfortunately, there are no such offers at the moment.
Withdrawals are not included in the grace period for the My Freedom credit card.
Pay attention to the interest rate stipulated by the agreement.
You can view the detailed conditions for the previously valid terms of the tariff plan “My Freedom” in the section “Documents” – “Tariff plans for credit cards”.
How not to forget to deposit the amount at the end of the grace period
We recommend that you focus on the mobile application, in which we indicate the date and amount.
Why, after I deposited the amount, it was not fully credited to the limit
If commissions are charged under the contract (for account maintenance, SMS informing, etc. ) and / or interest is accrued, then these obligations are repaid from the deposited amount.
In the UBRD mobile application, in the “History” section, you can control where the funds were debited.
For what period does the bank calculate interest on the credit card if the grace period is not respected
Interest will be calculated for the entire period of using credit funds.
How to avoid paying interest on a credit card
Make your minimum payments on time. Try to make a payment to complete the grace period in full.
Avoid withdrawals, transfers, and other transactions that are outside of the grace period.
What will be the commission for withdrawal/transfer/payment
Commission for withdrawal/transfer for UBRD credit cards for most tariff plans – 5.99%, minimum 600 ₽.
The conditions of your tariff plan can be found in the mobile application: section “Credit card” – “Card” (click on the image) – “Tariff plan”.
How to find out the available credit limit
Use the mobile application. The amount you see in the “Credit Card Account” section is the funds available for spending.
How to reduce the credit card limit
Contact any of the channels:
- bank office
- hotline
- mobile app/Internet banking chat.
What you need to do to increase your credit card limit
Make purchases, transfer amounts, withdraw cash – increase your turnover!
If the card is actively used, we will send a proposal to increase the limit.
Can a bank employee increase my limit upon request
No, the limit is increased automatically. At the initiative of the employee / client, this operation is not carried out.
How to make a credit history from scratch and not ruin it
For life
Small business
When considering an application for a loan, banks evaluate the reliability of a client, taking into account information about his income, property, credit history. Lack of credit history is not a decisive factor for rejection, but it can reduce the chances of being approved for a serious loan, such as a mortgage. When and how a credit history begins to form, is it possible to create it yourself and why it is needed – read in our material.
Become a client
Why do you need a credit history
Credit history is a record of all debt obligations of an individual, formed on the basis of information about loan agreements concluded by him. The basis of a credit history is data on loans, credit cards and loans, but it can also contain information about other debts – claims for unpaid alimony or housing and communal services debts.
Credit history is formed by sources – banks, microfinance organizations, authorities, individuals and commercial organizations, and allows you to assess the level of financial discipline of an individual. She needs to:
- financial institutions could check how you dealt with loans earlier, clarify your current financial burden and assess the risks of non-return of funds under new agreements
- leasing companies assessed the probability of non-payment under the agreement if an individual has other credit obligations
- carshare company inga opened access to their services
You can get a full report on your credit history only with the written consent of the subject. However, an unmotivated refusal to provide information may result in a refusal to provide services or issue a loan.
At what age does a credit history begin to form
Formation of a credit history begins with the first financial event transmitted by the source, but not earlier than the subject turns 18: before this age, you cannot get a loan even in a microfinance organization.
If a person has never applied to a bank for a loan or a credit card, he has no debts to third parties, organizations and legal penalties – his credit history is not formed at all. In this case, it will start when you first apply for a loan.
Applications for loans and cards submitted, but rejected by a financial institution or approved, but then canceled by the individual himself, will be reflected in the history. It may also reflect information that got there by mistake or as a result of fraudulent actions:
- if you have a full namesake who has debts, they may be erroneously reflected in your history
- if you lost your passport or someone used your personal data and tried to apply for a loan in your name, but the information did not pass the security check, the refusal will be reflected in your IC
- if you succumbed to the tricks of scammers and a card or another banking product was issued using your data , you can check it by registering on the website of the indicated Credit Services Bureau, a list of which will come in response to the application within 24 hours.
If there is no history, the list will be empty.
Inaccurate information can be disputed by submitting an application for correction of the CI to the bureau where it is stored. The application is accompanied by documents confirming the fact of the error. 30 days are allotted for making a decision by the BCI.
How long does a credit history matter
The credit history itself is stored for 10 years, from January 2022, the period for storing records in the CBI will be 7 years. But what period does the bank evaluate when making a decision?
There is no such information in the public domain: banks do not disclose information about the scoring technology – the methodology for assessing the borrower’s reliability. Neither the Central Bank nor the Credit Bureau have access to this information. We can only assume that the entire foreseeable interval matters, so it is important to monitor your CI and try to keep it positive.
At the same time, it is also impossible to say that the bank is more interested in the client whose credit history is greater. It is not the interval that is important, but the absence of negative entries. If someone’s history is 10 years old and includes multiple MFI loan records, an overdue bank loan, or legal penalties, such a history can be rated lower, for example, three years, in which there is one approved loan that is regularly paid off. The term matters only if the quality of the CI is equal.
How to create a credit history from scratch
The most common case when a credit history is needed is when applying for a mortgage or car loan. The larger the amount in the application, the more guarantees the lender wants to receive, so borrowers are evaluated more seriously.
If you are planning a large purchase on credit, you can start building your CI on your own.
At the same time, it is important:
- in any of the chosen ways to avoid delays in obligations;
- do not take several loans or microloans at once;
- do not submit multiple loan requests at the same time;
- not act as a co-borrower or guarantor for loans from third parties whose solvency you are not sure;
- pay utility bills, communications, and any fines, if any, on time;
- not violate the terms of the contract with insurance companies, carsharing;
- do not violate the laws of the Russian Federation.
Buying goods in installments, applying for a credit card, getting a loan from an MFI will help you open a credit history on your own. Let’s take a closer look at these and other methods.
Installment plan
In installments without overpayment, you can purchase household appliances, gadgets, or a tourist trip.
The main condition is to arrange this installment plan with the involvement of the bank: representatives work in all large stores. When concluding an agreement directly with the seller, information will not be included in the credit history – stores can become a source of credit history formation only in the event of your debt and filing a claim for the recovery of the cost of goods under the agreement to the court.
After the conclusion of the contract, pay the debt accurately and on time. Installment does not lead to a rise in price, so do not repay the amount before the due date: let more positive entries appear in your history.
Credit card
One of the priority ways to build a clean and positive credit history. Credit cards have several advantages: an interest-free grace period, a revolving limit, the ability to redeem cards in arbitrary amounts, and access to loyalty programs.
For example, Raiffeisen Bank can issue a card with a grace period of 110 days. It can be obtained by both current and new clients of the bank.
Use a credit card to settle all daily payments, including purchases in stores and online in Russia and abroad, payment of utilities and tutors for a child, payment in restaurants and for communication services, and pay off debt within more than 3 months, continuing use the available limit. You can repay a credit card debt both within the grace period and with the minimum payment, which is calculated by the bank every month, taking into account the spent limit. The main thing is to avoid delays.
Consumer loan
A small loan for personal needs in some banks can be obtained with a minimum package of documents. For approval of the application, you must provide a certificate of income. But if you do not have official employment, you are on vacation – you can apply for a consumer loan at Raiffeisen Bank by providing proof of income using the State Services website.
A consumer loan differs from a credit card by a formed debt repayment schedule. If you use the card when you need it, the loan debt, even if you have not yet spent these funds, must be repaid from the first month after receiving it, paying the body of the debt and interest. There are no deferrals and grace periods, but the rate on a loan is noticeably lower than on a credit card, which is an advantage of this product.
To form a positive credit history, it is desirable to repay the loan according to the schedule without delays and without using early repayment.
Secured loan
An option for those who are just starting to work or have a break in official employment for more than 6 months, which does not allow confirming income in the form of a bank.
If you own movable or immovable property, you can provide security to the bank and get your first loan, which will open your credit history.
The rates for such loans are usually higher, so if you do not have a real need for financing, apply for the minimum amount for the shortest available period. It is also not worth paying off a loan secured by property in advance, so take an amount that will not overload your budget and will allow you to pay off your debt on schedule. In history, this will in any case form a positive record.
Loan from MFIs
Microfinance institutions approve loans more easily than banks. To open a credit history, you can use their services, but it is worth remembering that MFIs have high interest rates for using borrowed money, unpaid debts cannot be refinanced in banks, and the presence of multiple loans in MFIs can become a negative factor in credit history. If a person often resorts to the services of an MFI despite a noticeable overpayment, this may be indirect evidence that banks are refusing him, which means that it will cause a more thorough check and more stringent conditions for a loan.
Is it possible to redo the credit history?
This is quite difficult. You can delete negative entries from history only if they got there by mistake.
All other records are kept for the prescribed number of years from the date of transfer of information about the financial event to the Credit Bureau. That is, in order to delete a negative entry that appeared through your fault, you must wait this entire period. Therefore, when creating your credit history, remember that:
- each delay will be reflected as a negative factor that may lead to a refusal to issue a loan
- based on the refusal of one organization, a second can make a negative decision on loans or even get a loan in general
What can increase the chance of getting a loan with a small credit history?
ParagraphWrapper” color=”brand-primary”> If your credit history is positive, but small, let’s say – only a year, the following will help increase the chances of a loan approval:- large official income;
- permanent job for at least 1 year, high position;
- having a co-borrower with good income;
- existence of a deposit;
- availability of funds for a down payment from 15%;
- debit card of the bank where you apply for a loan;
- the presence of a deposit, IIS or a deposit in the same bank.
Of course, credit history is not the only criterion by which the bank will evaluate you as a borrower and decide to approve or reject your application. But its presence is useful in terms of assessing your performance in relation to credit obligations.
- Credit history begins to form from the date of the first application for a loan or at the time of transfer of information about judicial collections on debts.
- You can start a credit history at any time, but not earlier than 18 years old.
- You can check the availability of a credit history at the CBI by obtaining a list of them on the State Services website.
- A credit card, purchase of goods by installments, consumer credit helps to create a CI from scratch.
- It is important to keep track of your credit history so that it does not contain erroneous information.
- To make the story positive, do not overdue debt obligations and do not break the law.
Sources
1. Provision of information from the Central catalog of credit histories about the bureau of credit histories, in which (which) the credit history of the subject of the credit history is stored https://www.gosuslugi.ru/329476
2. Credit histories | Bank of Russia https://www.cbr.ru/faq/credit_h/
3. Draft Law No. 724741-7 On Amendments to the Federal Law “On Credit Histories” in Part of Modernizing the System for Forming Credit Histories https://sozd.duma. gov.ru/bill/724741–7
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