Trying to find the right credit card to suit your budget and your needs can sometimes seem like a daunting task, but it becomes even more difficult when you have bad credit or what is known as an adverse credit rating. There are many ways in which someone can end up with a poor credit rating, including arrears in mortgage payments or missed loan payments, bankruptcy, county court judgments (CCJs) and individual voluntary agreements (IVAs).  

Credit records are kept by consumer credit information companies such as Equifax and Experian. The records keep track of any CCJs for possible non-payment of services and goods, missed credit card payments and possible prior bankruptcy declarations. CCJs and bankruptcy declarations remain on file for six years while late payments remain on file for three years. When applying for a credit card, the card company you apply with usually checks these records.  

Many lenders will consider extending credit limits of people with a bad credit history, although this often comes with higher interest rates that could prove detrimental in the long run if not wisely managed. It is entirely possible to rebuild a good credit reputation by making monthly payments on time. By doing this you can ensure that you’ll improve your credit rating so that you can become eligible for a card with a much lower interest rate in the future. 

The following is a list of credit cards available to people with a poor credit rating: