x
Breaking News
More () »

Why it’s impossible to get a credit card

If you’re trying to establish credit, you may have to buy your way in.

If you're trying to establish credit, you may have to buy your way in.

Getting a credit card with no credit history is getting more and more difficult these days.

After the financial crisis of 2008, banks are hesitant to give out credit cards to people with no credit history.

That means recent college graduates who need to start renting and buying could be out of luck, since they have no established credit.

Southeastern Bank employee Ashley Peterson said she had zero credit when she first started applying for a credit card.

"When I originally tried, I couldn't do it by myself because I didn't have enough credit to do it, so my Dad had to co-sign for me," said Peterson.

One of the few options people without credit history have is to get a secured credit card. It's a card you pay to have, essentially putting down a large deposit that you can get back after a year of making successful payments.

People should save their money locally to have a better chance at a credit card according to Southeast National Bank President/CEO Jeff Rose.

"Establish a relationship with a local financial institution," Rose said.  "We've got a lot more flexibility where, if you come in, you make an application for a credit card and you get denied, we have the flexibility where we can override that."

And that assistance could help young adults to start building their credit.

Before You Leave, Check This Out