29 Responses to “Which Credit Cards Are Easiest To Get After Bankruptcy?”

1. MB Says:
   August 2nd, 2009 at 15:46

   As someone said, Capital One unsecured credit card is very easy to get. They came to me with an offer shortly after my BK discharged. Also try Orchard Bank. I was just approved for their unsecured card. If you’re aiming for a home mortgage, you need 3-5 lines of credit, so it’s important to persevere. I was also advised by mortgage brokers that multiple credit checks are best done within a 2-week period, so at to have a minimal impact on your score. So apply for a couple at a time. If you’re approved for one, wait at least a month to get another one.

2. GJ Says:
   August 31st, 2009 at 15:33

   Wanted to say “thanks” for giving me the extra little boost of confidence I needed to go ahead and apply for a credit card. After filing bankruptcy about 1.5 years ago (discharged 2/2/09) I knew it was going to be necessary for my husband and I to get back into the “credit” game.

   Unfortunately, hubby wasn’t quite as discerning as I tend to be and signed up to get a credit card through First Premier bank. BAD CHOICE and my advice is to stay away at all cost. They charge a fee for everything and make it nearly impossible for someone on a tight budget to get ahead at all. Before my husband even had the card in hand his balance was jacked up to $149 (nearly half of the credit limit they had given him).

   I was seriously considering getting a secured card as I figured it’d be the only thing I’d qualify for outside of something atrocious from First Premier. My husband and I both make a respectable salary and have always maintained our mortgage and automobile payments to the utmost but with five children, one could say we live on a pretty tight budget. While I do have some money sitting in a savings account that I was considering using for a secured credit card, I was reluctant because I’d rather have that as a cushion for us if we get into a tight spot.

   I applied for a card with Orchard Bank and was instantly approved for their platinum card with a respectable interest rate and a small processing fee.

3. Vanessa Says:
   October 1st, 2009 at 13:47

   I filed in November 08′ and received Orchard Card in February before discharged. I too fell for First Premier, but cancelled it as soon as it arrived and required that they send me a letter stating 0 balance.

   My bankruptcy was discharged in July and I am looking toward getting 1-2 other cards. I found this blog by searching Target Card after Bankruptcy…because it is a card I would use and pay off each month, because my husband and I shop there frequently. (I filed as a single person due to business closure)

   Thanks for sharing the info!

4. Alex P. Says:
   March 1st, 2010 at 04:32

   Mine bankruptcy was discharget 01/28/08.Credit repair syeps looked like these: 1. First Premier unsecured CC ( a ripoff company,but that is the first step); capital one platinum Master card;car loan $ 9k – 36 mo with ridicilous interest 18.9 $%..NO INQURIES on my own ( all was preaproved and prescreened), money in the bank( you do not depend on credit)..TodaY: car loan with normal APR- 8% for used vehicle,about 6k credit limit unsecured btw 3 CC ( Visa,2 master) , a loan paid off after 18 months ( $ 9K), ballances paid off monthly,nothing revolves on CC and 2 inquories since discharge( for 2 car loans).FICO 691 on february 6th 2010

5. Tatiana Says:
   July 13th, 2010 at 09:24

   Thank you for the good idea in your article. My chapter 7 was discharged in July 2009. Immediately I received secured loan from Citibank for 1 year and paid it on time. I also applied for secured credit card from Citi and was denied. 8 months after discharged I also got approved for unsecured credit card from First Premier at 51%APR, but I pay ontime full balance. After reading this article I applied for unsecured Platinum Capital One and got approved. That is 12 months after discharge.

6. HEndic Rivas Says:
   July 16th, 2010 at 10:08

   I got a capital one just after 2 week of my discharge. and i did include a 6000 capital one debt in the bankruptcy. so.. if you just dischaged for bankrupcy, you can get a capital one. but choose one for people with limited credit. my is a platinum Rewards with a 39 annual fee and 19.9% interest. 500 credit limit. they will increase it after 3 month to 750. it not bad at all.
   I also got a Credit One Credit card with 300 credit limit. this one have a 75 Annual fee. but is worth to build the credit. they already increase the limit by $50.
   i been using my credit cards and paying off after i get the bill and my credit have increase to the lower 600. jut use it smart
   !

7. ThumperPup Says:
   July 20th, 2010 at 13:15

   I filed for bankruptcy in 2008 beginig of the fall
   it was discharged in may of 2009
   After that i first whent and bought a new car i put 3000.00 down on a 6000 dollar car
   about 2 months latter i opend up a Orchard Bank 200.00 secured credit card
   and i would use it and then pay it off a week latter
   then about 7 months latter i got a credit pre aporved from Credit One
   they said i had a pre aprovale for 300.00 dollars and i excepted it
   Then i had a increst to 350.00 on Credit one not even a month latter
   I was not happy how they don’t give you a grace period or anything
   so i decided to not use that except one a month ill pump like 25 dollars worth of gas on it thats it and i also have that card linked to my expass for when i travel on turnpikes
   I then applied for a Capital one and was aproved for 500.00 then i got a letter saying that my limit would increas to 750.00 after 3 months and then i called to find out what that was about and they then said i would get another 500.00 dollar increas 5 months after that to 1250.00

   then my car broke down i tried to get a incress erly they said no
   so i then called Orchard bank to see if they could convert me to a unsercured card they said no so then i decided to close my orchard bank credit card
   and applied for the hell of it i didnt think i would ever get it
   but another capital one card they aproved me again for another 500.00 limit so now i can get my car fixed

   i also have a GE Money credit card that is for JCpenny and i was aproved for that they are bankruptcy friendly there

   now i know you all think im asking for trouble with all this credit well my car is almost payed of early not even 2 full years
   and then ill pay the credit cards down also

   im just really suprised how i was able to rebuild my credit so fast

   you can go to CreditKarma.Com if you dont know what that is you cna get your free credit scores and credit report cards and all no sighing up for anyting no credit cards needed totaly free right now my credit is at a 680 wich i hear is really good for not being more then a year and half out of bankruptcy

   im still aiming to one day get aproved for an AMEX Starwood rewards credit card or a Chase Mariott or Continental one Pass credit card
   i know they don’t aprove you with a bankruptcy on your record unless you have like a 800 or higher
   so im hoping to one day be able to get one of those 3 cards

8. Eric Says:
   August 5th, 2010 at 13:46

   I filedd BK chapt 7 about 7 years ago. I HAD a First Premier CC, I still have my Capital One with a $1500 limit. I’m having issues getting approved for anything respectable, all the letters come back stating they wouldn’t approve me because their automated system saw I filed BK 7 years ago and auto denies me. It’s B.S. My wife and I are making $130,000 a year, my scores are in the 700-720 range. But I can’t get a decent credit card, or limit increase. I think some of the most monetarily responsible people are those that filed Bankruptcy because they never want to have to do it again. 3 years and counting till this bugger falls off my record. Shooting for the 800′s by then just before I buy my new home. Good Luck!!

9. Harbinder Somlok Says:
   August 10th, 2010 at 17:49

   Just got approved for Capital One Credit card. 2% cash back on groceries and gas. 4 Months after discharge.

10. Jenny Says:
    August 11th, 2010 at 03:13

    I just got my bankruptcy discharged 2 weeks ago and hadn’t selected a secured card yet.

    I found out about ViewPoint bank in Texas that PAYS you 4% interest on a checking account, but you have to use your VISA checkcard at least 15 times per month to qualify for 4% interest (on up to $50,000 in your checking account- I’m using this checking account as a savings as it pays higher interest than most long-term CD’s). I also plan on using my VISA checkcard ONLY for fuel purchases and utility payments to meet my 15 per month quota (even if I only put $5 in my tank every couple days).

    Today I was mailed a Capital One Mastercard application with 0% interest until May 2011 (which I obtained instant approval for online). I am going to write May 2011 in permanent marker on the front of the card so I will stop using it when the rate goes to 22-29% in May of 2011. There is a $39 annual fee, but I’m hoping by May 2011 I will have replaced the card with another 0% interest card so that I can cancel this in May once it has been paid in full.

    Unfortunately I do have student loans (under $7000), and I will be able to pay those with the Capital One card (while carrying over an under a 10% balance to drive my scores higher).

    If you maintain payments on an unrevolving account (student loans or car loan) and a revolving account (credit card), you can qualify for a new home mortgage in as little as 6 months as long as you’ve had steady employment, can save 15% down payment and have bank statements that show a lender that you’ve only used your cards/checking/savings to pay for the bare minimums- this means don’t show a bunch of debits/charges for TGIFridays, Abercrombie, liquor stores, cable or internet if you don’t ABSOLUTELY need it for work. The lender wants to see visual proof that you’ve learned to manage your money.

    The other thing credit card companies do is try to pray on negligent spenders who will rack up cards right after bankruptcy. They know you cannot file bankruptcy for 8 more years and if you don’t pay- the won’t offer you “settlements” through any agencies- they’ll take you right to court and start garnishing your wages and assets. Don’t be a victim, be a victor!

11. Holly Says:
    August 25th, 2010 at 12:35

    I was discharged four months ago and was approved for a Capitol One card. I was surprised because they were included in my bankruptcy. Hopefully this can be a start in rebuildingmy credit.

12. Christine Says:
    September 15th, 2010 at 17:13

    I filed last July, 2009 and my bankruptcy was concluded in December, 2009. I was turned down for a “secured” credit card through Orchard. Surprising since they are supposed to be bankruptcy friendly. I had an account with them, paid them off every month, but they closed my account that I originally had because I filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

    My credit score is still fair . . 628. I just applied for a card through Anacott Financial. Has anyone heard of them? I just need a card to rebuild my credit. Learned my lesson the hard way! First Premier I had, I too when I was having difficulties BEFORE bankruptcy cancelled them because of their high rates. Looks like some people are having luck with Capital One – is this a secured or unsecured card? They were one of my bankruptcy discharges – and it was a HUGE debt I had with them.

13. Raven Says:
    September 17th, 2010 at 23:01

    I have never heard of them but I have credit one bank, cap 1 , household bank and firestone…My bankruptcy was discharged in May 2010

14. cr Says:
    October 22nd, 2010 at 23:25

    I filed Ch 7 in 11/09 and was discharged in 6/10. I had excellent credit before filing, but was dragged down by business debt that I had personally guaranteed. I never missed a mortgage payment or other payments before filing, and kept my home.

    I got a guaranteed card offer by mail from Orchard Bank in 3/10 – before even getting discharged. I accepted and got an unsecured platinum MC with $1,000 line and 0% intro rate and $39 fee. I’m hoping that they will increase it soon.

    I’ve also gotten a flood of mail from CapOne that started with invitations, then offers, then free card offers. They were actually one of my former creditors. I was waiting to get a free offer and also for my credit report to age a bit. Unfortunately, I waited a little too long and applied after the offer expired so it was rejected but no hard pull was done. Now and am forced to wait 45 days to reapply, and will do so shortly.

15. kc Says:
    November 5th, 2010 at 19:47

    I just got discharged from you Chapter 13 Bankruptcy about a month ago. I got denied by Capital One, Bank Of America(which I have over 25K in their bank), Wells fargo(which I have over 5K in their bank) and Citibank and all of these are secured cards. Am I doing something wrong?

16. Ed P Says:
    January 21st, 2011 at 00:30

    I am 49 years old. a divorce and loss of $50,000 on the sale of my home left me $65K in debt. Most of my paycheck was going to pay the debts; then I got laid off in March 2010. I Chapter 7 in 4/2010, and worked closely with my Attorney. I was discharged in 6/2010 with the courts requiring $0 payments. I was out of work for most of 2010 and just began a new job as an engineer. I ended up pawning my automobile title and selling much of my stuff real cheap. I cashed in my life insurance and 401K. I waited until I was re-employed and applied for new credit cards. Capitol One gave me $500 line of credit at 24% while Orchard Bnak gave me $750 at 14.9%. I did manage to get my FICO score back up to 692 (it was 730 before I filed Chapter 7). I would suggest anyone who wants to rebuild their credit to pay for and follow Free Credit Report DOT COM. Then once you are comfortable with applying for credit again that you apply to Orchard Bank. My credit limits are low, but my goal of getting my FICO back to 700 by the end of 2011 looks like it will happen. Also when you apply for these cards, get the involuntary layoff insurance for about 35 cents on each $100.

17. Shaun Says:
    March 14th, 2011 at 00:23

    To Eric

    I read your comment and wanted to let you know that you can write a letter asking that the bankruptcy be removed due to your good credit standing… You can do this if you have been discharged for 7 years so you don’t have to wait 10 years like they tell you. Again, as long as you have sustained good credit management since your bankruptcy and it has been at least 7 years… they will remove it. Write all 3 credit bureaus.

18. Karen L Says:
    April 19th, 2011 at 03:14

    my chapter 7 was filed last yr and discharged in oct/2010. It always looked like i would only be able to get a secured credit card in order to start rebuilding my credit. I bought a car (post bankruptcy) with decent interest rates but thought a credit card would be pushing it. I took advice here and went to capital one platinum and was surprised that i was approved within minutes..(started with the preapproval process for a variety of different cards on their site)…so $500. limit, 24.9% interest, and a minimal annual fee. no deposit, no secured card…Thanks for the insight, now i have another way of rebuilding without my own security.

19. Jonathan Says:
    April 23rd, 2011 at 17:43

    In response to Karen L, I also recently went through bankruptcy Chapter 7, was discharged in January 2011, and finally dismissed in April 2011. Just applied to see what would happen for a credit card, I read various information from many sites and decided to try Capital One to see if I would be denied or approved, I did this on-line, took about 60 seconds and was approved just like Karen’s, $500 limit, 24.9 interest rate, annual fee $29 waived for 1st year. Good luck guys and hang in there

20. Michael Says:
    August 23rd, 2011 at 23:54

    A week after BK7 was discharged, I was approved for a Capital One Standard Platinum Card $500.Limit/$29.Annual Fee, waived first year.
    Just a few helpful tips on rebuilding your credit.
    1. Remember the 30% rule, NEVER charge more than 30% of your credit limit no matter how small it is. It’s proven by many in credit reporting staying at or below 30% will automatically trigger credit increases at least every six months.
    2. STOP applying for credit cards, I know this is hard to do, but believe me it says your desperate and that will bury your credit score. If you need credit, apply once every three months at most, no more than four inquiries a year.
    3. WAIT for things to fall off and challenge everything, all three credit reporting bureaus allow you to challenge everything on your credit report. If your wrong, it simply stays there, if your right it disappears and that’s one extra step towards taking off the past.
    4. MONITOR your credit report, after bankruptcy this is your time to monitor your baby like a seedling, watch it grow and remember it takes time to build it back. In a few years you will see the progress.

    Best of luck, I’m in it for the longhaul such as you are, remember there’s more of us out there than people know and we are growing by the hundreds every day.

21. JR Says:
    October 23rd, 2011 at 23:44

    Good info here – Thanks recently applied online for Capital One CC approved for $2,000 credit line at 17.9 $39 annual fee – their Classic Platinum Card. Ch.7 Discharged July 2009. I know this is credit card info but those with high interest car loans ask a local credit union if their loan guidelines will allow for a discharged BK, most will either 18-24 months, but will look for no negative credit since discharge. If so, and have low debt to income ratios should be able to improve on rate and term.
    Recently refinanced and lowered interest rate by 6%! I shortened term and still lowered payment. They were willing to make 2 auto-debits from checking account per month to keep cash flow manageable and timed with paycheck cycles.

    Any other post BK friendly banks, lenders, credit cards, etc would still be great to know of.

22. Brelan A Says:
    November 15th, 2011 at 11:53

    i wasnt filed sep/2011 and havent been discharged yet.. recieved a app for premier bank credit card @ 39% and 700 cl.. this was in october..(still pending discharge) and today i have my card.. 150 setup fees.. which i already knew from the app.. i was scared to really get the card after hearing such bad things about it.. but from my experiance.. if you enroll online (4.95) its no charge for online bill payments ect.. if you can look past the high intrest rate.. then its not so bad.. i will deal with this card and keep it.. being they was the first bank that approaved me (it felt really great ) lol. but if you can manage to get one and pay the 150 off in at least 2 months.. i would highly recommend it.. the fees arent so bad. besides.. if we all did right with credit in the first place.. we wouldnt need the fp bank credit card.. im not going to apply for any more anytime soon tho.. i will have this and my student loan on my credit .. and after about 9 months post i will apply for cap one and orchard.. i have heard that its best to wait for offers.. is this true?

23. Luke Says:
    December 3rd, 2011 at 21:24

    I just wanted to say thank you so much for all the amazing information! My bankruptcy was discharged in September 2011. A week after, I was approved for an Orchard Bank Gold Mastercard. After reading all of your stories, I just applied for a Capital One Classic card and was approved! I am just so excited to be rebuilding my credit and handling it responsibly. I made a lot of mistakes when I was 18-20 with credit. I am now 28 and working very diligently and hard to ensure that my credit will be in the 800′s. Thank you again for the amazing information and good luck to you all!

24. Mike Says:
    December 22nd, 2011 at 01:12

    Both Orchid and Capital One worked for me. It is less than a week since my bankruptcy has been discharged, and after reading advice on how to re-establish credit I decided to apply for both of these cards. Orchid approved me for a unsecured card with a limit of $300, and Captial One gave me a limit of $2000. I am not big on credit cards, but want to get approved for a mortgage as soon as possible, so hopefully using these as recommended will help get my credit to a point that I will get approved for a mortgage before prices go up too much. I had close to a million dollars in debt prior due to real estate investments, and when the bubble busted, I was too far invested in vacation property real estate to get out without bankruptcy…next time I will only buy what I can afford, and not depend on renters to help pay mortgages…

25. Darin Says:
    February 24th, 2012 at 10:50

    I applied for the Cap One card less than 1 week after my discharge. I got instantly approved for $2000! Im only gonna stick with this card for now. Maybe later I’ll go for a Target card but I dont want too mant cards….did that before and thats how I ended up in this mess!! LOL!
    So happy to get my life restarted!

26. rk Says:
    February 27th, 2012 at 23:52

    I file BK in August of ’08 with an ghastly amount of debt built up over the course of several years (we’re talking $100k+ by the age of 30 and not even owning a house).

    BK was discharged November of ’08. First thing I did was apply for a car loan through CapOne as I figured they would be the friendliest. I’d had several car loans through them over the years and always paid on time. Sure enough, they approved me for well over what I requested and the rate wasn’t even as high as I expected (13% something).

    I got brave since they approved me so easily and went ahead to apply for a CapOne Rewards card as my first post-BK credit card in December of ’08. Again, easily approved with a decent rate fixed (14.9%) and decent limit ($2000).

    Since then, I’ve been able to get a second CapOne card with a better rate, Firestone card and a Mortgage with a great rate. Just recently decided to brave the waters again for an Apple BarclayCard with 0% for 6 months and was approved. Granted, otherwise it’s 22.9% but they run promotions all the time for 0% for 6 months for certain purchases. Already paid it off 4 months later.

    I’ve left the first CapOne card open just for the time frame of open credit lines. It’s my oldest line now and it’s only 3.5 years. One score is over 700 and the other two still under 700. It’s been a fairly easy recovery to be honest and I was shocked when my score never dropped below 550 to begin with after BK.

    Orchard Bank and CapOne are probably the best choices to start building with again.

27. RICH Says:
    April 9th, 2012 at 09:13

    WOW, THIS IS CRAZY, I FILED 4/10/09 DICHARGED ON 8/10/09. I HAVE A 649 FICO SCORE, BEEN APPROVED FOR 4 DIFFERENT CARDS, CAPITAL ONE 750 LIMIT 19.9, TIRES PLUS, CREDIT ONE, BEST BUY. ALSO RECEIVED A 30K DRAFT CHECK FROM CAPITAL ONE AT 12.9ON A NEW CAR LOAN, AND WAS ABLE TO CALL THEM AND NEGATE A BETTER INTEREST RATE, 11.1 HOW ABOUT THAT???? BK7 WAS THE BEST THING I COULD DO, I OWED 300K. U WILL NEED AT LEAST 660-670 TO GET INTO PRIME RATES THOUGH. TAKE THE TIME TO GO THOUGH UR CREDIT REPORTS AND SEND EVERYTHING SAYING NOT URS OR SOMETHING TO THAT NATURE. YOU WILL BE AMAZED.

28. Christopher Says:
    April 10th, 2012 at 13:21

    Yes you can get your credit back pretty fast my chapter 7 was discharged in march and i already was able to get a cap one platinum 1000 limit, orchard bank platinum mastercard only 300 limit and credit one platinum but dont know the limit yet however the interest rates are high which is the price you have to pay lol! Ill probably let my heels cool and garden these cards for awhile before getting more credit. Always go through your credit reports and view your scores my are just under 600 and your information to see if its correct and always remember to pay your balance off before the due date that really helps build your credit!

29. allen Says:
    April 12th, 2012 at 16:43

    well i filed bankruptcy and a couple of months later i got a HSBC Mastercard with a $300 limit and shortly after that i got a capital one with a $500 dollar limit and they said if i pay the first six payment ontime they will increase my limit to $750 and they did. well it has been about thirteen months now since i filed bankruptcy now and i have never been late on a payment so i decided to apply for kohls and was denied and my credit score was a little over 650 so i waited a couple more months and applied for another capital one card not expecting to get it and was approved for $2000… im so happy now my credit is slowly but surely getting better…..oh and just a FYI when i applied for kohls i was in the store which is supposed to be easier to get approved and the 3 cards i did get i applied online.

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