How to build a strong credit score without ever using a credit card

A lot of people believe that credit cards are the gateway to a strong credit history. It’s an easy assumption to make, because card ads and bank messages constantly talk about points, benefits and upgrades. But a credit score is simply a reflection of how you use credit over time. The type of credit matters far less than the behaviour behind it. Many borrowers maintain excellent scores without ever owning a card, and some do even better precisely because they avoid the risks that come with revolving debt. The idea that cards are essential is a bit exaggerated

Credit cards report activity every month, which is useful, but it creates a misconception that they are the only reliable path. Borrowers forget that any credit product—personal loans, consumer-durable EMIs, secured loans, even sma