Spouse Co-borrower, will it help

[Anonymous]

In my situation I am the earner with poor credit (615-630).  The bad credit is primarily due to several late mortgage payments last year in the wake of a two month unemployment (my wife is not on the mortgage).  My wife has a strong credit score (700) but doesn't really have much of an income.  

We are looking at newer used cars and want to borrow about 25k.  I will put approximately 20% down and my trade is not worth much but it aint nothing.

My question is can a loan be based on her credit and my income?  Do they blend it?  Use only one?  Can it be hers even if the income is mine?

[sccredit]

Most of the time they would put her on line 1 of the app and you on 2.  That gets the benefit of income and credit.  I was about 5 months post discharge when we did it that way for my wife's lease on her Infiniti and we were given tier 1 pricing.

[Anonymous]

Yes, her credit profile will help you.
Most banks will take the highest score into consideration when determining rates, other banks or credit unions will average out the two scores. Very rarely is income taken into account when determining rates, only matters when you're requesting an amount you can't afford with the stated income on the application.

[randomguy1]

It may or may not help you. Really depends on the bank (speaking on experience).