Finnish Credit Cards

kawamotokid · Post by **kawamotokid** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:12 pm

Hey there,

I have had a look in the archives but couldn't quite find what I was looking for.
Basically I want to get a credit card in Finland from a Finnish bank here and I am just wondering if anyone here has any experience with this.
I have a secure job with the local city and I have a bank account here for a year.

I know there are alot of variables to this query but has anybody applied for a card here and what hoops were jumped through for it?

Thanks for any replies!

W

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blaugrau · Post by **blaugrau** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:42 pm

well, there's the official 2-year-rule, i.e. you being required to have lived in Finland for two years before you're considered "worthy of credit" (don't know if that's luottakunta's rules). But in practice, I'd say it depends a lot on the individual clerk who's handling your application. I got a VISA card 1,5 years after having moved to Finland (and working), although the bank lady told me she can't promise me anything etc.etc. but didn't have the slightest problems in the end.

So my suggestion is, go to your bank, bring all your papers (work contract, pay slips etc), file and application and hopefully it'll work out.

interleukin · Post by **interleukin** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:59 pm

I have heard that the decision to give one a MasterCard is taken in each bank (so potentially easier to get if they see in the computers that your finances are in order), whereas the VISA card decision is decided centrally. A colleague of mine got a MastersCard very quickly after moving to Finland, certainly within a half-year. But then again the "computer said no" when I asked my bank for a VISA card, but then they said they would see what they could do (and I got the card).
So only way to know is to go to your bank and ask what deal they will give you.

/interleukin

carolinemaher · Post by **carolinemaher** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:48 pm

Be careful when you apply for a Mastercard that you understand the terms of payment, as when I received mine I found out that the bill was due in full at the end of each month! more like an Amex really, and not like the run-of-the-mill credit card I would normally apply for in the UK.

kawamotokid · Post by **kawamotokid** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:15 am

Thanks for the replies.
So i guess the only thing I can do is pop down to the local Bank and see whats what.
As a matter of interest do banks, in general, offer special introductory rates? like 0% interest for 9 months or something like that or is straight away 19% (or what ever % it is in Finland) once you sign up?

Thanks all!
w

hanj · Post by **hanj** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 8:17 pm

i applied my visa card 2 weeks into my job and it was approved instantly. that was after living here for about 8.5months.

Mook · Post by **Mook** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:54 pm

carolinemaher wrote:Be careful when you apply for a Mastercard that you understand the terms of payment, as when I received mine I found out that the bill was due in full at the end of each month! more like an Amex really, and not like the run-of-the-mill credit card I would normally apply for in the UK.

They're all like that unless you come to an extra arrangement (which of course costs)

kawamotokid wrote:in general, offer special introductory rates? like 0% interest for 9 months or something like that or is straight away 19% (or what ever % it is in Finland) once you sign up?

so, the special introductory offer is "pay everything off in full every month or meet mr reamer"

Finland doesn't have a credit culture.

sy · Post by sy » Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:39 pm

Or you can apply for the Stockmann loyal customer card. Nowadays it is combined with a Nordea MasterCard.

chickensexer · Post by **chickensexer** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:51 pm

I got my Master Card from Nordea after 8 month of being in the country. just asked for it and they just gave it to me. Co-branded with Finnair, so each euro spent with that card is 1 airmail towards finnair and partner airlines.

carolinemaher wrote:Be careful when you apply for a Mastercard that you understand the terms of payment, as when I received mine I found out that the bill was due in full at the end of each month! more like an Amex really, and not like the run-of-the-mill credit card I would normally apply for in the UK.

Not sure what you mean. When I got mine I nearly maxed it almost immediately and had it near max for year and a half. I was paying each motnrh of course but far from "completing" it and then spent again.

hanj · Post by **hanj** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 11:02 pm

there's a annual fee with the finnair master card, isnt it?

chickensexer · Post by **chickensexer** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:28 am

hanj wrote:there's a annual fee with the finnair master card, isnt it?

I think so, yes, 60eur IIRC.

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