Credit or status ?

First thing first. Are you talking about status history instead of credit history ? Credit problem meaning he didn't pay for his bills and got away. Status problem meaning he has status gap or was "black" before.

Black history will affect visa application if you read the questions asked in the application form. However, they also ask you why was that. Meaning if you have good story to tell, they might buy it. Otherwise there is penalty for prohibiting your entry to US.

For credit problem then it depends on what kind of problem it is.