However, we have also included the ‘best of the not so good’ on credit building cards, for those who need access to credit at the beginning of the year, but who have bad debts…

0% Balance Transfer credit cards

Advice: Aim for those with the longest 0% balance transfer term and the lowest balance transfer fee, although the vast majority of cards now charge a fee between 2.8% and 3%. The interest rate on the card once the 0% period is over should be irrelevant, as you should have paid off the balance at this point or moved your remaining debt to another card.

Best buys: Virgin Money have been first-rate in this regard: it has a 16-month balance transfer offer with a fee of 2.98%. Santander are not far behind on 15 months, 3% fee, while Halifax, Nationwide and MBNA have 0% balance transfer offers over 13 months, also with a 3% fee.

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