Build your credit without a credit card

With Credit Building, KOHO members have seen their credit scores go up by an average of 31+ points in just 4 months*.

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Zero added debt, zero interest.
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Skip the hassle of forms
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Guaranteed approval
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Track your progress with Equifax

What is Credit Building?

Credit Builder programs help you create or bulk up your credit history by showing you're consistent with your money management. KOHO's Credit Building offers a safe way to build credit without the risks of traditional credit cards or lenders, helping you achieve the same goal: a stronger credit history.

Increase score +31pts
Increase score +35pts

Why is Credit Building a safe way to build credit history?

Unlike traditional credit cards that can lead to high-interest debt, KOHO’s Credit Building reports your payments to an official credit bureau on your behalf so you don't have to worry about it, making it a safer alternative to traditional credit cards that might tempt you to borrow more than you can afford.

Why use KOHO's credit building?

  • Guaranteed approval: Everyone qualifies regardless of their credit scores
  • Track progress: Gain insights into your credit
  • No interest charges: Only pay a small monthly subscription fee

Build your credit without over spending

KOHO app

How Credit Building works

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No interest

When you sign up, you’ll get a special credit line with no interest. 

Credit meter

Build credit

By setting your utilization rate under 10%, and making on-time payments each month, you could help improve your credit score.

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Financial Coach

You’ll have access to our in-house Financial Coach to help you out along the way.

Getting Started is Easy

Step 1

Download the KOHO app and sign up for an account

KOHO app

Getting Started is Easy

Step 2

Pick a plan and save up to 50% off Credit Building

Essential, Extra, Everything tiers

Getting Started is Easy

Step 3

Follow the steps in-app to set up Credit Building

Build Credit

Join the KOHO members working on their credit today

Start today, take steps towards your financial goals, and make the most of your savings.

Essential

Earn more on the essentials your wallet cares about.

$0*

/month

* Get Essential for free! Learn more

Extra

Earn extra on your spending and savings.

$18

/month

Everything

Best Deal

Supercharge everything in your KOHO account.

$22

/month

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Building credit can save you money

A boost to your credit scores can result in lower interest rates and serious savings. Take a look at how good credit scores could help you save nearly $3,000. Let’s assume a loan amount of $15,000 and 12 months of payments.

Credit Scores579 740
Interest Rate47%15%
Total Interest$4,086.77$1,246.50
Savings-$2,840.27

Ready to Start Building?

Join over 100k Canadians who are using KOHO to build their credit.

FAQS

KOHO gives you an affordable way to make or build your credit history in Canada. There are no deposits, hard credit checks, or applications. And you’re guaranteed approval. Head to your KOHO app and click Credit > Register to get going.

Build credit smartly with KOHO's Credit Building program. Get a dedicated tradeline with no interest. Simply make monthly payments on time to establish credit history that may improve your score. Plus, gain access to our in-house Financial Coach.

Credit builders offer a relatively safer way to build credit as unlike traditional credit products, you don't have to withdraw and use the money to build credit—eliminating the risk of falling into a debt cycle. Instead, consistent monthly payments are reported to credit bureaus, helping you gradually build credit history—without the financial risks that come with traditional credit cards or lenders.

Not at all! A credit builder line of credit is designed to be easy to access. Since there’s no hard credit check, it’s a simple, stress-free way to build your credit history.

They help build your credit history. When you make your payments on time, it shows up as positive payment history - one of the biggest factors in your credit scores.

Credit cards can help, but they often come with high interest rates. KOHO’s Credit Building is a safe and interest-free alternative.

The main difference is that secured lines of credit need collateral—something valuable you own that the lender can take if you don't pay.

Unsecured lines don't need collateral, but they usually have higher interest rates and are harder to get.

Not at all! There's no need to withdraw funds. Simply set your utilization rate (we suggest keeping it under 10%) at the start of each billing cycle. However, you'll have access to the funds whenever you need them. They provide a safety net for unexpected situations.

You’ll receive regular updates through KOHO and can monitor your credit report directly in the app.

You know how making payments on time can positively impact your credit? Well the opposite is true too, missing or late payments could hurt your scores. This is why we do not recommend withdrawing from the line of credit. We are invested in your success.

Yes! Thousands of Canadians have used KOHO’s Credit Building to grow their credit histories safely and securely**.

KOHO's Credit Building tool retrieves your score directly from our trusted partner Equifax, which is one of the major credit reporting bureaus in Canada. Please note that your scores might vary from what you see on other reporting services. This difference can happen because Canada has two major credit bureaus. Each has its own criteria for scoring your credit.

You can reach out to Equifax directly by giving them a call at 1-800-465-7166, or you can also log into your account on Equifax's website

The minimum credit scores you need to buy a home depends on which lender you get your mortgage with. In general, you’ll want scores of at least 620 to get a mortgage with a traditional lender (like a bank). This is according to Loans Canada. The better your credit scores, the more likely you are to get a low-interest rate.

You’ll want credit scores in the mid-600s to qualify to buy a car, according to Borrowell. You might qualify for a car loan with lower scores. But, like for buying a home, the higher your credit scores, the better your chances of getting a good car loan rate.

Reach out to our customer support team and write in #coach before writing in your question.

Still have questions?

Can't find the answer you're looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.

*Based on users with a starting score of 500 or less and who signed up for credit building in October 2024. Credit Building is not a credit repair tool and does not guarantee an improvement in credit score. Credit scores are based on complex models involving a variety of factors. Consistent on-time payments help improve scores and missed or late payments may cause credit scores to decrease. Outcomes may vary among users.

**Credit Building is not a credit repair tool and does not guarantee an improvement in credit score. Credit scores are based on a variety of factors and outcomes may vary among users.