[SPOILEDkiwi]

I've had a joint checking account with my SO for the past year. I have really good credit and he has bad credit. I was wondering if the fact that we have a joint account will bring my credit down because his is bad.

[miSsxhuStLer]

I don't think your credit will go down, based on the fact that you have a joint account and he doesn't have great credit. However, if one of you bounces a check or the account has insufficient funds, I believe both of your credit scores will be affected.

[mollywayne]

no... a joint checking account will not affect your credit... there is a possibility that if insufficient checks (hot checks) are written on the account and turned over to a collection agency they could conceivably report the info to telecheck, checkpoint etc... but a check verification service is far different than a credit file company... you should be fine, although for your own sanity you may consider separating your finances until he can show better responsibility with his money. But a critical factor is to keep no financial secrets... he MUST have access to view the information on your accounts... just print them out anytime he asks... this way, he will always trustt that you are not hiding things from him. In return, he should reciprocate. It may be good to simply sit down once per week and review all finances together... that would be SO sexy...

[Litigatrix]

I'm really not sure why her SO needs to have on-demand access to all of her financial information, especially if they are not married. As far as we know he has no reason not to trust her, and it really has nothing to do with what she asked about.

[lorihmatthews]

Originally Posted by mollywayne

you should be fine, although for your own sanity you may consider separating your finances until he can show better responsibility with his money. But a critical factor is to keep no financial secrets... he MUST have access to view the information on your accounts... just print them out anytime he asks... this way, he will always trustt that you are not hiding things from him. In return, he should reciprocate. It may be good to simply sit down once per week and review all finances together... that would be SO sexy...

I agree that finances should be separate, but I completely disagree with giving your boyfriend access to information on your accounts. Quite frankly, it's none of his business since you're not married. Plus, if he has access to your accounts there might be temptation for him to use them since his credit is to bad. It sounds like he's the one hiding things if his credit is so bad.