Members of the armed forces can be at a disadvantage when they need to borrow after they return from overseas or leave the services, because their itinerant lifestyle and lack of credit history can ruin their chances.

Your borrowing needs in future years could include buying a car, obtaining a mortgage to buy a family home, or even starting your own business.

According to the credit reporting company Experian Interactive:

Your credit status is based on a host of factors, from a track record of repaying what you owe to being on the electoral register.

If you don’t meet the normal criteria because of a military career, you could find it difficult to get credit or have to pay higher interest because lenders don’t know whether you’ll be reliable.

Fortunately, according to an article on MoneyExpert.com, there are a number of things which you can do to improve your credit score:

• Full article at MoneyExpert.com - Battling to borrow – how to give our armed forces the credit they need