How Credit Cards Reduce Your Borrowing Power

General information only — not financial advice. This content is intended as educational guidance. Consult a qualified financial adviser, mortgage broker, or legal professional before making financial decisions. See our full disclaimer.

Banks assume you could use your entire credit card limit at any time. If you have a $15,000 credit card with a $200 balance, the bank assesses the full $15,000 limit — not the $200 owed.This means a credit card you never use can reduce your borrowing power by $50,000–$75,000 simp

Frequently Asked Questions

Does closing a credit card hurt my credit score?

Closing a credit card can temporarily lower your credit score if it was your oldest account, but the impact is usually minor. The boost to borrowing power far outweighs the small credit score dip. Your score will recover within a few months.

Do Buy Now Pay Later accounts count?

Increasingly, yes. Many lenders now assess active BNPL accounts as liabilities. Close Afterpay, Zip, and similar accounts at least 3 months before applying for a home loan.

What about business credit cards?

If the business credit card is in your personal name, it counts against your borrowing power. Cards in a company name typically don't affect personal borrowing capacity, but lenders may still ask about them.

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