What is a good first step to establish credit?

Establishing credit is primarily about demonstrating your ability to manage debt responsibly. While opening a savings or checking account is beneficial for managing your finances, it does not build your credit history. The best first step towards building credit typically involves taking on a form of debt that can be reported to credit bureaus.

Opening a credit card account is often considered one of the most effective ways to establish credit, as it creates an opportunity for you to demonstrate responsible borrowing and repayment behavior. Using a credit card responsibly—by making small purchases and paying the balance in full each month—will help you build a positive credit history.

Taking out a loan is another method to build credit, but it often requires a demonstrated income and repayment capacity, which may not be feasible for someone just starting their credit journey. Investing in stocks does not establish credit, as it involves equity investments rather than credit transactions.

Thus, the recommended approach for someone looking to build their credit for the first time would involve options that create a track record of borrowing and repayment.