The bank where you have your checking account is a good place to start, as long as you've kept the account up and keep a high enough balance that they don't get nervous about your ability to pay.

 

I'll advise you from the point of view of someone who f'd up his credit and spent 8 years fixing it. So this is all hindsight and experience.

#1 - Stop applying for any new credit RIGHT NOW. Every inquiry on your report can affect you. There are those who don't believe this but they ARE wrong. When lenders see a flurry of credit inquiries it makes them nervous. Either you have just received too much credit or you were not credit worthy to the other lenders. Either scenario looks bad.

#2 - Immediately get a report from all 3 credit agancies. Make sure you don't have bad debt that doesn't belong to you. Identity theft ids on the rise. Most people don't know but you are entitled to a once per year FREE report from each agancy. It can all be done online. Google "Free yearly credit report" or something similar.

#2a - If said credit reports turn up anything that don't belong to you make sure the agancies are made aware of this. They WILL investigate it, but it does take time. This will eventually clear your name.

#2b - If your credit report does not show bad debt or anything else wrong with it, then begin applying (slowly) for credit. Don't run to a department store - they all expect you to have a major card first. My advice - get a gas card, Chevron, Shell, any of those. Why? You need gas anyway! Use the card every time you fill up, then pay off most of teh balance each month. However make sure you leave some smal balance, maybe no more than 20% on the card at all times. This plus on time payments will show you are responsible with credit.

#3 - At the same time as the gas card, open a Credit Union account and get a SECURED credit card. You give them $250 to hold in an account, they give you a $250 limit card. Use this card and pay most of it off each month, leaving less than 20% as the balance to carry over. While you have this secured card and the gas card, avoid applying for credit anywhere else.

#4 - After 6 months to a year apply for a reputable credit card, Capital One is a good place to try. If you've followed every step above then you will likely get a card from them. Close the secured card you opened in step 3, take your deposit money and hang on to it for a rainy day (one WILL come). Keep the gas card open. Call them and ask them to increase your limit.

After you have done all of this, you should be in great shape. You will still be viewed as a "new" credit user, biut you will have nothing but good marks on your report. Once you are at this point, be careful opening new credit, and don't get caught in the crossfire of the American Dream and Instant Gratification. Good things come to those who wait.