WASHINGTON -
Holly McCall has two full-time jobs. One is named Alexander. The other is Jonathan.
She is a stay-at-home mom who used to work in the financial services industry. Even though she knew a bit about the business, she was surprised when her application for a credit card in her own name was denied.
"I was a little stunned at first," says McCall. "I've got a really good credit history."
That word "denied" was in bold print Tuesday when McCall and others showed up at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - right near the White House with a stack of petitions. 50,000 signatures from people who want the government to let banks count household income for adults applying for credit cards.
Amanda Kloer with change.org came dressed as a ‘50s housewife. Ashley Boyd came from a group called MomsRising.org.
"It has long-term impact because this means that a person is not building and maintaining credit in their own name," says Boyd. "If something were to happen to their spouse - divorce, death or domestic violence - that would significantly impact a person's ability to be out on their own."
This law was not set up to target stay-at-home parents. It just sort of worked out that way. You see, it was originally designed to protect students from getting into too much debt.
"Two of our most notable stay-at-home moms, Michelle Obama and Ann Romney, although their family, their household incomes are high - under this interpretation of the rule, they would not qualify for a credit card," says Boyd.
McCall says they will keep pushing for a change in the regulations. That is when she is not busy at her other job – full-time mom.
Online:
MomsRising.org
www.change.org/petitions/don-t-set-us-back-half-a-century-give-stay-at-home-moms-credit
