For couples a joint account feels like the obvious solution for shared expenses — rent, utilities, food shops, date nights, the lot. But many people hesitate because they’ve heard that joint accounts can affect your credit score. Here’s the truth:
A joint account doesn’t directly change your score, but it does financially link you to another person — and their credit behaviour can affect your future borrowing.Let’s break down what actually happens, what the risks are, and how you can enjoy all the benefits of a joint account without impacting your credit score with Cino.
Cino is a flexible alternative to a joint account – a shared virtual card that's linked to your individual bank accounts. You and your partner's share is deducted from your own bank carsd when you pay with your joint card. You can even choose how you want to split each expense by percentage or exact amount, giving you full control over how you split the bills.
Why couples choose Cino over a joint account
Not automatically — but they can. Here’s how:
Opening a joint account creates a financial association between you and the other person. Lenders can see this when you apply for credit.
If your partner or housemate has:
…it may affect your own chances of getting approved for mortgages, loans, or credit cards in the future.
If the joint account has an overdraft or credit facility attached:
…will appear on both credit files.
Using a joint debit account for groceries or rent doesn’t impact your score.
The risk only comes from shared credit or missed payments.
Traditional joint accounts seem simple — until you consider:
For couples who aren’t ready to fully merge finances, new housemates, flat-shares, or even siblings splitting rent, that’s a lot of risk for something as simple as sharing bills.
This is where Cino comes in.
Cino gives you the functionality of a joint account — shared spending, one payment method, automatic bill-splitting — without linking your credit files or sharing a bank account.
It’s the modern alternative to joint accounts designed for today’s living.
Because Cino:
Each person links their own existing bank card to the shared Cino card.
No shared credit. No joint liability. No impact on your credit score.
You get all the benefits of joint spending — without the risks.
Here’s how they compare:
FeatureTraditional Joint AccountCinoAffects credit scoreYes, indirectlyNoFinancially links two peopleYesNoCredit checks requiredOftenNeverRisk if someone overspendsHighNoneShared debit cardYesYes (virtual)Automatic bill splittingNoYesEasier to set upDepends on bank2 minutesCan use for rent, bills, groceries, travelYesYes
Everyone pays their own share automatically. No one fronts the bill. No one owes anyone.
Because you remain financially separate, Cino doesn’t follow you onto your credit file.
From rent to holidays to weekly food shops — you can share expenses without merging finances.
You keep your own bank account. Cino simply splits each payment fairly between everyone.
No paperwork. No awkward financial breakups.
Delete the group card anytime.
A joint account can be useful if you:
But for many people — especially renters, new couples, students or friends living together — it carries unnecessary risk.
If you want the convenience of shared spending without:
❌ impacting your credit score
❌ becoming financially tied to someone
❌ taking on shared debt
❌ doing the maths every month
…then Cino is the better choice.
Joint accounts aren’t the only option anymore. With Cino, you can:
All without merging your money or risking your credit score.
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