Credit builder credit cards

If you’re new to credit, or have limited experience, a credit builder credit card could help.


Check your eligibility for a credit card and get an estimated credit limit. This won't affect your credit score, and there's no obligation to apply.
 

Check your eligibility

 

Credit is available subject to status.

Credit builder credit cards

If you’re new to credit, or have limited experience, a credit builder credit card could help.


Check your eligibility for a credit card and get an estimated credit limit. This won't affect your credit score, and there's no obligation to apply.
 

Check your eligibility

 

Credit is available subject to status.

The Bank of Scotland Advance Credit Card

Designed to help you to build your credit score and knowledge about borrowing. 

To apply, you must have a Lloyds Banking Group bank account that's been open for at least 3 months. You'll also need to have a yearly income of £6,000 or more.

Features and benefits

Advance your score

By showing you can use and manage credit carefully, it can help to build your credit score.

Credit coaching

Watch videos and get personalised emails from us, helping you to get credit smart.

Earn a £20 reward

When you make your payments on time in the first 6 months of account opening. Offer terms apply.

Know the costs

A single interest rate on your balances, making it easy to understand any borrowing costs.

Spending abroad?

We won’t charge foreign exchange fees when you make card purchases in a foreign currency.

Ready to use

Your virtual card will be waiting for you in the Bank of Scotland app.

Representative example

Based on an example borrowing of £1,200:

Representative (variable):
29.9% APR

Purchase rate (variable):
29.94% p.a.

Credit limits may vary subject to an assessment of your personal circumstances. 

Your standard interest rates will be variable, changing in line with the base rate or if we need to change them for another reason.

  • In the first 6 months of account opening:

    • If you have a payment due, you should make it by the due date. Details of the different ways you can make a payment to us are on your monthly statement.
    • Make sure you pay at least the minimum payment and avoid missing payments or going over your limit.
    • We’ll create a statement each month showing your balance and minimum payment amount due. In the first 6 months of having your account, you must have at least 3 months where you have a balance and a payment due to be eligible for the £20 reward.
    • You'll get the £20 reward added to your credit card balance within 180 days of qualifying. It’ll show up on your statement as ‘Account Reward Credit’.
    • The reward won’t count as a payment on your card, this means you’ll still need to make your minimum payment on time each month.
    • The account must be open at the point the reward is made. We can’t add a reward to a closed account or any other accounts you have with us.
    • The reward offer is only payable once per account. 
    • If we reasonably suspect fraud, abuse or breach of the offer terms and conditions or the product terms and conditions, we won’t add the reward to your account.

Let's break it down

Who can apply?

To make an application, make sure:

  • you’re a UK resident, aged 18 or over, with a minimum yearly income of £6,000
  • you’re free of County Court Judgements (CCJs), Individual Voluntary Agreements (IVAs) or bankruptcies
  • you’ve not been declined for a Bank of Scotland credit card within the last 30 days.

To apply for a Bank of Scotland Advance Credit Card, you must have held a Lloyds Banking Group bank account for at least 3 months.

How it works

  • In the first 6 months of having your account, you must have at least 3 months where you have a balance and a payment due to be eligible for the £20 reward.
  • You'll get the £20 reward added to your credit card balance within 180 days of qualifying. It’ll show up on your statement as ‘Account Reward Credit’.
  • We don’t offer balance transfers or the option to add additional cardholders with the Bank of Scotland Advance Credit Card.
  • Only paying the minimum will cost more in interest and take longer to clear your balance.
  • You’ll still be charged cash withdrawal fees and interest will be charged from the day you take it out until you pay it back. Some cash machine providers may charge a fee.
  • Interest will be charged on purchases unless you repay your balance in full each month.
  • Other credit card fees and charges could apply.
  • If you pay late or miss a payment, fees will apply and it could damage your credit score.

Before you apply, make sure you understand all terms and conditions.

Let's explore the benefits

Watch a short video about the Bank of Scotland Advance Credit Card (1 min 20 sec).

Bank of Scotland Advance credit card video.

    • Online card management. Register online to check your balance, review transactions, make payments, manage your cards and lots more on your computer, phone or tablet.
    • Full fraud protection. You won’t be charged for transactions you didn’t authorise. You’ll need to let us know if you see anything unusual, or if you lose your card.
    • Ways to pay. Make repayments through your bank, using your debit card, or set up a regular direct debit to take care of it automatically.
    • UK call centres. You can call us if you need to talk to us about something on your account.
    • Contactless cards. Make secure payments with your card wherever you see the contactless symbol. Or add your card to your phone, to make paying even quicker.
    • Paper-free statements. Get your statements delivered online instead of through your letterbox.

Before you get started

Only borrow what you're comfortable with and are confident you can repay.

Ask yourself

  • Does a credit card suit my needs, or should I consider other borrowing options?
  • Will I be able to make repayments, even if my circumstances change?

Check if you're eligible

 

 

Already with Bank of Scotland

Scan the QR code to get the app.

You must be registered for online banking to apply in the app.

Once you're in, select Apply then Credit cards.

 

 
 

Check online

Check your eligibility for a credit card and get an estimated credit limit. This won't impact your credit score, and there's no obligation to apply.
 

Check your eligibility

Already with Bank of Scotland

You must be registered for online banking to apply in the app.

Once you're in, select Apply then Credit cards.

Get the app

Check online

Check your eligibility for a credit card and get an estimated credit limit. This won't impact your credit score, and there's no obligation to apply.
 

Check your eligibility

A look at the details

  • If you have limited borrowing and repayment history, you might struggle to get credit at first. That’s where a credit builder card could help.

    By using and managing credit carefully, you’ll start to prove that you can do it responsibly. Over time this can help to improve your credit score.

    A good credit score could make it easier to get credit when you need it in future, for things like a mortgage, car finance, or other cards and loans. Just be aware that all lending is subject to status.

  • Credit builder cards are designed for adults aged 18 or over who are:

    • new to credit
    • new to the UK
    • have limited credit experience.

    If you have a history of poor credit management, you might not be accepted for a credit builder card.

  • There are 3 main credit reference agencies in the UK – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. The information they hold can vary, so you might want to check each to get a clear picture of your score.

    If you’re an existing Bank of Scotland customer, you can check your TransUnion credit score with us online. It’s free and won’t affect your score.

    More about your credit score

  • Draft credit card account terms and conditions (PDF, 381KB)

    You’ll receive specific terms and conditions from us once you’ve been accepted for a credit card.

  • Responsible lending

    Bank of Scotland is a responsible lender. We only want you to borrow what you can afford in a way that’s best for you. The outcome of your credit card application depends on our assessment of your circumstances.

    You can talk to a member of our team about the choices you've made. They’ll also be able to talk to you about your options if you’re experiencing financial difficulties.

     

    Fraud and protection

    You won't have to pay us for any unauthorised postal, telephone or internet transactions made by someone other than you or an additional cardholder. But you and additional cardholders must take all reasonable measures to protect your account.

    You should never tell anyone your PIN. You can give suppliers your card details and won’t be liable if they misuse them. But, if you’ve given someone else your card details, you’re liable for all transactions unless you’ve told us they’re not authorised.

Already have a credit card with Bank of Scotland?

Visit the customer hub to find out about flexible ways to help manage your credit card.

Go to help

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Check before you apply. Simply answer a few questions to see if you’re likely to be approved.

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