build UK credit from the US?

I'm sorry if this has been asked previously.  Is it possible to begin building UK credit while still in the US?

I assume probably not without a UK address, but maybe a store card or something?

I don't know, just thought I would ask.

-Tyler

I don't think you'll have any joy with anyone if you don't have a UK address. And I'm not positive, but I don't think you can open a store account without ordering something (or at least ordering a catalog - places like Next charge for their catalogs and then take that charge off of your first order).

You're going to struggle until you have an address and can open a bank account. Even then, it is likely to be just a really basic bank account which, after a year of making deposits, you can upgrade. I had my basic account for a year before they gave me an overdraft, but then they also gave me a credit card at the same time. And once you've got that far, it becomes far easier. Also, the bigger banks want three years of address history for credit cards.

You might look into the possibility of opening an HSBC account in the US, which will then allow you to open a UK HSBC account before you leave the US. That allows you to get a full UK account (although I don't know if we have an overdraft--haven't needed it).

We didn't have any trouble getting a credit card, either, even within a couple months of arriving, and we're both US citizens. Our card is associated with M&S but it's a Mastercard administered through HSBC, not just a store card.

Sorry, I don't mean to be a grouch, but there are now THREE threads on the same topic!!!

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=35872.0
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=35775.0


Vicky

Sorry I didn't want to hijack the other threads.  My question is a bit different than what has been discussed in the other posts.  Can UK credit be built from within the US?

Sorry I didn't want to hijack the other threads.  My question is a bit different than what has been discussed in the other posts.  Can UK credit be built from within the US?

Take a look at the other threads, because they ultimately answer your question about building credit.  Can you do it from the US?  I doubt it, but you may want to see if you can open a bank account as Elynor mentioned. 

It was hard enough for me to get a joint bank account with my husband when I was living here and had a job.  They don't make it easy.  It just takes time.  Moving here is a bit like starting your life over, at least in regards to credit.