No, in most cases you do not need to have a bank account in order to apply for a credit card – although you do need to have a method by which to pay your credit card balance. In most cases, this will be a checking or savings account at a reputable banking institution. However, more and more people are using prepaid cards, like American Express® Serve, in place of traditional checking accounts. These prepaid card accounts allow users to pay bills and receive direct deposits, so they do not need to have a bank account.
The following information is all that is required on most credit card applications:
- Your date of birth (you must be 18 years old to apply for a credit card)
- A valid Social Security number
- Your home address and telephone number
- Your employment and income information
- You financial information, including whether or not you have a bank account with the institution that issues the card you are applying for. (Although it is not required that you carry an account with them, most issuers will ask this question.)
If you want to apply for a credit card but you do not have a bank account, be prepared to submit information about how you will pay your credit card bill. Most issuers will need this information before approving your account.
