Bankruptcy administers a devastating blow to your credit card. A bankruptcy may remain on your credit report for up to 10 years. But these effects do not remain long lasting; it starts to diminish on your credit report as soon as your case is closed.
Even before bankruptcy drops your previous credit report, you could qualify for credit with good rates and terms. In fact, newly discharged debtors are frequently solicited for enrollment onto new cards. However, before you plunge back into the credit world, consider the extent to which easy credit lead to a bankruptcy filing before you sign up for new cards. You must ensure that a responsible credit habit is maintained for payment of bills, and only a small portion of the available credit should be used.
Most credit card companies will allow you to keep their credit card for use even after you have filed bankruptcy. This is on the condition that you agree to reaffirm the balance on the card and enter into a new agreement, which is signed after the bankruptcy filing. Most creditors want your future business, and hence will be willing for you to use their cards.
A recent bankrupt may give you trouble to qualify for a regular, unsecured credit card. It may even turn out to be more expensive than before, and available with lower limits. Financially, secured credit cards offer you a better deal than any of the unsecured cards you’re likely to run into after your bankruptcy.
So it is best to opt for a secured card, which sets a limit for you. This credit limit in a secured credit card is equal to an amount you have to deposit at the card-issuing bank. A secured credit card requires up to $500 to be deposited. This amount may seem miniscule as compared to exorbitant credit limits you may have enjoyed before bankruptcy.
A secured credit card is usually available at lower rates than unsecured credit cards. But secured credit cards have gotten a bad rap, because most don’t help you rebuild your credit history. Also, you must choose your secured card wisely. Look for a card, which has no application fee and a reasonable annual fee. Some secured cards demand huge upfront and annual charges.
If you maintain a good credit limit and make your payments on time, after 12-18 months you could be upgraded to a regular unsecured credit card.
However, there are some unsecured credit cards that you would also do well to steer away from. Most unsecured credit cards charge you such high up-front fees that you’re in debt before you even receive the credit card. Since your goal is to re-establish your credit, pick a credit card that you think is best suited for you.
Then apply for that one card. Don’t apply for several cards as they will stir up too many new inquiries on your credit reports. This will make your creditors nervous — and less likely to extend credit to you. |
