Starting credit limit up to £1,500
For all credit scores
Check with no credit score impact
For all credit scores
Starting credit limit up to £1,500
Check with no credit score impact
Credit Card to Build Credit
39.9% APR Representative (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 39.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 39.9% APR (variable).
make you feel smug?
A highly rated mobile app
Check your balance anywhere with your secure login that has your credit limit and transactions all in one place!
Contactless payments
Simply tap and go. Pay for anything up to £100 in just seconds
Check in just 60 seconds
Feel smug by checking in just 60 seconds. With no effect to your credit rating!
39.9% APR Representative (variable)
39.9% APR Representative (variable)
we want to leave you feeling smug.
thimbl. lets you tap and go
Our contactless cards let you pay up to £100 in seconds!
Secure banking app
With our free mobile app, manage your account anywhere.
Highly rated on TrustPilot
We’re currently rated Excellent on TrustPilot by thimbl. customers!
Increase your credit limit over time*
A starting credit limit up to £1,500 and a chance to grow it up to £5,000.
39.9% APR Representative (variable)
39.9% APR Representative (variable)
Spend carefully
To build credit history you need to use the card. Not using it at all won’t help to build credit score. But keep an eye on your spending and make sure you stay under the credit limit. It is also best to pay more than the minimum repayment, especially if you’re using your credit card specifically to build your credit!
Make your payments on time
You must make at least the minimum repayment each month on your credit building credit card, failing to do so can result in a potential negative impact on your credit score. If you do fail to make the minimum repayment you will need to make the missed payment before your next month’s payment is due and failure to do so will result in your account being reported to the external credit bureau as 2 payments in arrears. You can set up a direct debit or make payments through the app.
Pay back more to reduce your interest
You can reduce the amount of interest you pay on your credit builder card by paying off more than the minimum each month. And if you pay off the full balance you can get up to 56 days interest-free on purchases***.
Avoid using your card abroad or to withdraw cash
If you use your credit builder card outside the UK, or if you use it to withdraw cash from a machine, you’ll pay more interest.
Keep your other accounts in order
thimbl. is only one part of a healthy credit rating. In order for the thimbl credit card to help build your credit score make sure you keep on top of any other accounts you may have, as falling behind with other credit commitments could damage your credit rating rather than improve it.
39.9% APR Representative (variable)
39.9% APR Representative (variable)
If you struggle with repayments or want free financial advice you can visit the following:
Moneyhelper.org.uk, for free, unbiased access to money tools, information,
and advice or you can phone on
0800 138 7777.
Visit stepchange.org, a debt charity offering free debt advice in the UK,
or phone for a confidential chat on
0800 138 1111.
Frequently asked questions
How is a credit builder card different from other credit cards?
A credit builder card works like any other credit card but is specifically designed for people who may have trouble getting credit elsewhere. It does this by offering a lower initial credit limit and higher APR than you might be able to get with a higher credit score.
How do I know whether I’ll be accepted?
Our eligibility checker will let you know in under 60 seconds whether you’re eligible. You can then apply for your credit building card with confidence. You’ll need to know your current monthly income, what you contribute to mortgage or rent, and the total of your other essential monthly outgoings. Please be aware that being eligible doesn’t guarantee you’ll be accepted for a thimbl. card. If you are accepted, the thimbl. card provider will send you the relevant information over along with a Credit Agreement.
What is the APR?
The APR is the Annual Percentage Rate and represents the amount you are charged on your credit builder card balance over a year. It includes interest and other fees and charges. For thimbl. the APR is 39.9%.
How long will it take to improve my credit score?
You should use your credit building credit card to make small purchases, not exceed your limit and make sure you pay over the minimum repayment on time. This is how credit cards could improve credit score and you should see an improvement in your score from 6 months onwards, but this may differ depending on your personal scenario and assuming other aspects of your credit profile being in order. You need to make sure you stay on top of any other accounts to stop them from harming your score.
How can I check my credit score?
You can see your score by using a reputable credit reference agency such as Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. You can see how your score changes over time, and these named credit reference agencies also give tips on what else you can do to help to build credit score.
39.9% APR Representative (variable)
* To build your credit rating and to be considered for credit limit increases, use your card sensibly, stay within your credit limit and pay at least your monthly minimum payment on time. Not doing so could harm your credit rating and make obtaining credit more difficult.
** Under section 75 of the consumer credit act 1974 credit card purchases over £100 are protected in some circumstances.
The thimbl. credit card is issued by Vanquis Bank Limited. Digitonomy Limited (trading as thimbl.) is a credit broker not a lender, and provides its services to Vanquis on an exclusive basis in respect of the thimbl. credit card. Digitonomy is paid commission from Vanquis for these services. Digitonomy’s registered office is: Steam Mill Business Centre, Steam Mill Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 5AN. Registered in England and Wales, under company number 08385135. Digitonomy is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference number 690249. Licenced by the Information Commissioners Office, (registration number ZA007309).
Vanquis Bank can be contacted at its registered office, which is at No. 1 Godwin Street, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD1 2SU. Registered number 02558509 England. VAT number 180555952. Vanquis Bank Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register No. 221156).
All rates are variable after their applicable introductory period. If no introductory period applies the rate(s) is/are variable from the date of the agreement. All applicants must be aged 18 or over and resident in the UK. Credit is available subject to status and conditions.
