No credit score? No problem. Individuals without a credit score can now join Credit Karma, taking the first steps towards building credit and achieving their financial goals
Intuit Credit Karma is taking a major step toward expanding access to the financial system. For millions of Americans just starting out, building credit is one of the most important, and most challenging, financial milestones.
A formal credit history is essential to unlocking major life milestones, from securing a first apartment to buying a car, or getting a lower interest rate. Yet, roughly 17 million American adults are “credit invisible” or “thin file,” meaning they have no credit report whatsoever, or they have a credit file but not enough history to generate a valid credit score. This makes it difficult to obtain basic necessities like renting a place to live or setting up utilities, or to access essential financial products like credit cards, auto loans and mortgages.
This disproportionately impacts people at the start of their financial journey, including Gen Z adults and those building credit in the U.S. for the first time. In fact, nearly half (46%) of 18-24 year olds say they feel at a financial disadvantage because they don’t yet have a credit history.
Until now, individuals who were credit invisible couldn’t access Credit Karma’s tools and guidance to help them start building their credit. Today, that changes. We are proud to announce that credit invisible individuals can now create Credit Karma accounts and take their first steps towards building a credit score and achieving their financial goals.
Build credit from no credit history
As these members begin building their financial identity, Credit Karma will serve as both the starting point and foundation for their journey.
We’ll help them achieve their first score while building financial literacy and equipping them with the tools to manage and grow their money, access better financial products, and make financial progress year-round.
Our research shows that members view credit improvement as a sustained journey, and they’re looking for a clear, step-by-step guide that helps them understand what to do, why it matters, and how it drives progress over time. That tracks with what we’re hearing broadly: 44% of 18-24 year olds say they simply don’t know where to start when it comes to building credit.
They’re also navigating real-life hurdles, so they need solutions that reflect that.
Credit Karma addresses these needs through a connected set of products, tools and guides:
Credit Spark: Build credit history from already paid bills
- What it does: A free, automated solution that turns existing on-time payments, like utilities and phone bills, into credit history.
- Why it matters: Helps members establish credit quickly without taking on new debt, while creating early progress that builds confidence and motivation. It’s a concept with clear consumer demand: 82% of 18-24 year olds say they’re interested in tools that help build credit using everyday payments like utilities and phone bills.
- How it supports real life: Only reports on-time payments, so members can build credit without being penalized for missed payments.
Credit Builder: Build credit while saving money
- What it does: Gives members a simple way to build credit by making consistent payments – into a locked savings account – that are reported to credit bureaus, while simultaneously setting aside savings.
- Why it matters: Helps members increase their credit scores – by an average of 17 points in just three days – while building a financial cushion.
- How it reinforces healthy behaviors: As members develop consistent payment behaviors, they’re also creating a savings nest, reinforcing habits that support long-term stability.
Credit-building card options: Use credit with the right guidance
- What it does: Provides access to secured credit cards for eligible members, and guidance on alternative paths, such as becoming an authorized user.
- Why it matters: Gives members safe, structured ways to start using credit and continue building their profile.
- How it guides decisions through education: Helps members understand when each option makes sense, including key considerations and potential risks.
Learn and grow: Understand finances and plan for what’s next
- What it does: Offers educational guides, educational trivia, interactive tools, simulations, and calculators to explain various money management topics, including how credit works, and how financial decisions impact outcomes.
- Why it matters: Helps members understand what actions drive credit improvement and what new opportunities become available as their score grows.
- How it builds confidence: Empowers members to make informed decisions and plan for their financial future with greater clarity and control.
Powering financial progress with the Intuit platform
At Intuit, our Consumer Platform is designed to actively work in our members’ best interest, helping them pay less, save more and get their money faster.
By enabling credit invisible consumers to establish a credit profile, we remove a critical barrier to entry. From there, Credit Karma evolves into a personalized financial co-pilot using cross-platform data to guide members toward better financial outcomes, specific to their situation.
As members build credit, they unlock access to a wider set of opportunities, including everything from personalized credit card recommendations and rewards optimization to auto insurance savings and seamless tax filing powered by TurboTax.
For many consumers, especially Gen Z, we know their financial lives feel fragmented. Credit Karma is changing that by serving as a central place to manage and optimize their financial lives. As their needs evolve, Credit Karma adapts, providing relevant guidance, tools and opportunities at each stage of their financial lives.
Ready to build your credit and unlock new financial opportunities? Sign up now in the Intuit Credit Karma app or www.creditkarma.com and see how quickly products like Credit Spark can put your past payments to work for your future.