Chapter 5
Chapter Four: Weaponizing Personal Credit
The Holy Trinity & The Credit Union Ladder
Objective: Use personal credit strategically as a silent lever for corporate funding — blending the power of credit unions, personal rewards cards, and the Chase “Holy Trinity.” This sequence builds triple-bureau symmetry, stronger bank ratings, and prepares you for Portfolio Review approvals with no personal guarantees.
Phase 1: Credit Union Foundation (6–12 Months)
| Credit Union | Bureau | Card | Min FICO | Annual Fee | Limit Range | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navy Federal CU | TransUnion | Go Biz Rewards / More Rewards AMEX | 670+ | $0 | $10K–$30K | Open checking/savings; add CD + pledge loan; pay 90%, leave 10% on autopay. |
| Patelco CU | Experian | Pure Mastercard / Points Rewards | 675–700+ | $0 | Up to $50K | Join Financial Fitness ($8/yr); soft pull; open CD and small secured loan. |
| Langley FCU | Equifax | Signature Cash Back Visa / Platinum Select | 640–670+ | $0 | $20K–$40K | Soft pull; add Credit Builder loan; apply for 2 cards within 30 days. |
Phase 2: Personal Credit Round (Months 6–9)
| Card | Bureau | Min FICO | Annual Fee | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | TransUnion | 670+ | $0 | 1.5% cashback; builds Chase profile. |
| Discover It Cash Back | All (Soft Pull) | 700+ | $0 | 5% rotating categories; easy CLIs every 90 days. |
| AMEX Blue Cash Preferred | Experian | 690+ | $95 (Yr1 Free) | 6% groceries, 3% gas; builds Experian depth. |
Phase 3: The Holy Trinity (Chase Trifecta)
| Card | Bureau | Min FICO | Annual Fee | Reward Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Experian | 690+ | $95 | 2x Travel & Dining; cornerstone of the Trifecta. |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | TransUnion | 670+ | $0 | 1.5% everywhere; builds UR balance. |
| Chase Freedom Flex | TransUnion | 670+ | $0 | 5% rotating categories; pairs with Sapphire. |
12-Month Ladder Timeline
Month 1–2
Join Navy, Patelco, Langley; open CDs & secured loans.
Month 3–4
Pay 90% of pledge loans; report perfect utilization.
Month 5–6
Apply CU credit cards; maintain <10% utilization.
Month 6–8
Add Chase, Discover, and AMEX personal cards.
Month 8–10
Complete the Holy Trinity (Sapphire + Flex + Freedom).
Month 10–12
Apply Chase Ink & CU Biz Cards through Portfolio Review.
“Structure before scale — build your empire, fund your future.”