While bankruptcy can be legally listed on your credit report for up to 10 years, you can start rebuilding your credit history as soon as your bankruptcy is discharged.  Lenders take many factors into consideration when deciding whether to offer you a loan. However, the most important of all the factors they will consider is the debt-to-income ratio. According to the credit rating model currently used by credit bureaus, a debtor's credit rating after filing for bankruptcy is usually boosted by debt liquidation.