Build your credit score
without a credit card
BuildMyCreditScore customers typically increase their score by 52 points in their first 3 months¹
Build your credit score
without a credit card
BuildMyCreditScore customers typically increase their score by 52 points in their first 3 months¹
STEP 1
Link your bank account
We connect with all major banks. You’ll get a debit card with a daily spending power of up to £40².
STEP 2
Spend on your card regularly
Use your daily spending power and we’ll take payment from your linked bank account the next day³.
STEP 3
Watch your score grow
Use of your spending power signals reliable behaviour. We report your usage to the major credit reference agencies to grow your score⁴.
STEP 1
Link your bank account
We connect with all major banks. You’ll get a debit card with a daily spending power of up to £40².
STEP 2
Spend on your card regularly
Use your daily spending power and we’ll take payment from your linked bank account the next day³.
STEP 3
Watch your score grow
Use of your spending power signals reliable behaviour. We report your usage to the major credit reference agencies to grow your score⁴.
Build your credit score
with your daily purchases
Subscriptions
Use your card to pay for your monthly subscriptions like Netflix and SpotifyCommutes
Tap in and out with your card to make your commutes countCoffees & lunch
From meal deals to takeaway coffees, grow your score whilst enjoying your daily treatsTakeaways
Make mealtimes matter by using your card on apps like Deliveroo and Just EatBuild your credit score
with your daily purchases
Subscriptions
Use your card to pay for your monthly subscriptions like Netflix and Spotify
Commutes
Tap in and out with your card to make your commutes count
Coffees & lunch
From meal deals to takeaway coffees, grow your score whilst enjoying your daily treats
Takeaways
Make mealtimes matter by using your card on apps like Deliveroo and Just Eat
Build your credit score
for a better financial future
The average credit score increase of our customers after 3 months of using BuildMyCreditscore¹
Get maximum credit score gains by using your £40 daily spending power² on your regular purchases.
A better score can save you over £2,319 in interest charges on a personal loan over 3 years⁵.
Build your credit score
for a better financial future
The average credit score increase of our customers after 3 months of using BuildMyCreditscore¹
Get maximum credit score gains by using your £40 daily spending power² on your daily purchases.
A better score can save you over £2,319 in interest charges on a personal loan over 3 years⁵.
All our plans report to:
All our plans report to:
Why does BuildMyCreditScore exist?
Do you really need a credit card to build your credit score?
Millions of people in the UK don’t want or can’t get a credit card - Did you know that over 85% of UK card transactions are on debit cards?
It's not surprising, considering that credit cards can lead to overspending and come with high interest rates, in addition to being less than transparent or just inaccessible. But credit is something most people want at some point in life no matter what they are trying to achieve.
A strong credit score can have life changing impacts, especially when it comes to long-term objectives like mortgages, loans, or securing the best repayment plan for larger purchases. Despite the importance of credit, there are limited alternatives available to build it. We're here to change that.
How does a BuildMyCreditScore debit card build credit?
BuildMyCreditScore is a debit card that works with your bank, ensuring you can only spend the money that's in your account.
Once you’ve spent, we'll process the payment a few days later using direct debit. We’ll let you know at the end of each day, the date that direct debit will happen.
At the end of each month, we report your purchases and payments to the Credit Reference Agencies, helping you to build credit.
How does BuildMyCreditScore work with my bank?
Your BuildMyCreditScore debit card connects to your existing bank account, so it works a bit like your regular bank debit card. It works with your bank, so there's no need for new bank accounts or topping up different accounts.
It’s specifically designed to work alongside your bank debit card, not replace it.
- For smaller purchases, we’d highly recommend using your BuildMyCreditScore debit card to actively build your credit
- For larger spend items and ATM cash withdrawals your bank debit card is the preferred choice
What are the best ways to use BuildMyCreditScore
Your BuildMyCreditScore debit card is specifically designed for small everyday purchases such as coffee, train fares and other incidentals, as well as regular payments like Netflix and Spotify.
What sets the card apart is its optimisation to transform those seemingly insignificant purchases into significant boosts to your credit score².
With a deliberately modest daily spending limit, this card empowers you to make those small yet impactful purchases while simultaneously maximising your credit-building potential.
How do I know if BuildMyCreditScore is right for me?
You also need to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a current account with one of our connected banks.
- Have no active CCJ's, recent IVA's, or current bankruptcy proceedings.
Remember, although we do typically see great results in the first 3 months2, you should view this as a journey of at least 12 months to build a strong credit history and to ensure the maximum benefit is achieved.
How do I optimise credit building with my BuildMyCreditScore debit card?
BuildMyCreditScore will support you every step along the way. Each month, we’ll give you handy hints and tips about your spending, and how to optimise your card usage to build credit.
After each month, we’ll send a detailed report to the Credit Reference Agencies. We’ll show your updated score in the app and review your progress, giving you valuable insights on how you can continue to build your credit even faster.
How long will it take to build credit?
The majority of our customers that used the product as recommended, see an increase in their score of 52 points within the first 3 months².
You should think of this as a 12-month journey to establish a robust credit history. For the price of just a few cups of coffee per month, you’ll have the opportunity to save thousands of pounds on future borrowing³.
Which credit reference agencies does BuildMyCreditScore report to?
We report to the 3 main UK credit references agencies: TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax.
Once you join BuildMyCreditScore, we'll promptly notify the credit reference agencies about your new product. The month after signing up, you'll see BuildMyCreditScore in your credit report.
It's really important to note that closing an account can impact your credit score5 so we ask that you’re committed to enhancing your credit score before embarking on this journey.
Are there any extra benefits to using BuildMyCreditScore?
In addition to building your credit score, you'll also enjoy the following perks with your BuildMyCreditScore debit card:
1. A competitive FX rate if you spend abroad with your BuildMyCreditScore debit card. This will typically be at least 1% cheaper than your regular bank card.
2. Competitive FX rates when transferring money abroad, which are likely to be substantially better than your bank.
² Customers' daily spending power, referred to as "spending power," is up to £40 and is assigned based on financial factors assessed by BuildMyCreditScore, subject to our discretion.
³ Direct Debit collections follow the UK BACS scheme, typically occurring within 2 to 4 days. However, bank holidays and weekends may extend this period. Please allow for additional time before reaching out to BuildMyCreditScore.
⁴ BuildMyCreditScore reports both on-time and late payments, which can affect your credit score. Credit scores are determined independently by credit reference agencies, considering various financial factors. BuildMyCreditScore reports to TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. Please note that our services do not remove negative credit history from your report.
⁵ Loan repayment cost estimates are available in a study by Moneycomms.co.uk, commissioned by totallymoney.com. You can access the study at this link: Moneycomms.co.uk Study