• Apply for credit with a local business, such as a department store or a local bank or credit union. These local merchants may have lower credit standards than larger lenders.
• Apply for credit with an oil company or local department store.
• Take out a small loan from a local bank or credit union--even if you have no immediate need for the money. Make payments on time and consider the interest expense an investment in establishing a good credit history.
• Take advantage of secured lines of credit offered by some lenders. By depositing a specific amount into a special account, you receive a credit card with a limit that equals your deposit. (For example, if you deposit $1,000, your credit limit will be $1,000.)
• Before you apply for credit, make sure the creditor or lender reports credit history information to one of the credit bureaus so you can build your credit history.

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