Why Someone Might Want A Secured Credit Card
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One of the toughest times to get a credit card is when you have bad credit or no credit at all. The trouble is, you often need a credit card to start building a good credit history, but you also need a good credit history to get approved for many credit cards. If you can’t get approved for a traditional credit card, a secured credit card is an alternative worth considering.
Learn how secured credit cards work and whether one is a good fit for you.
Read More Citi Secured Mastercard Faqs
Where can I find the application for the Citi® Secured Mastercard®?
You can visit our webpage for this card to and click the apply now button to complete an application.
What are the benefits of the Citi® Secured Mastercard®?
The key benefit of the Citi® Secured Mastercard® is that it’s a no annual fee1 credit card that may help you build your credit when used responsibly. Unlike a debit card, this secured credit card helps you build your credit history with reporting to major credit bureaus. Cardmembers also enjoy added benefits of their secured credit card, such as:
- Using your card anywhere Mastercard® is accepted worldwide
- Free access to your FICO score online
- Tools to help you stay on track, including Auto Pay, Account Alerts, and Flexible Payment due dates
This can help you to build your credit history, following responsible management of your credit card account.
What is the initial deposit required for the Citi® Secured Mastercard®?
You can select any deposit amount between $200 and $2,500, in $100 increments when applying for the Citi® Secured Mastercard®. Your security deposit will determine your credit limit . Your security deposit is always equal to your credit limit so the larger the deposit, the larger the credit limit.
How can I apply for a Citi® Secured Mastercard®?
Take the first step toward achieving your financial goals by applying for the Citi® Secured Mastercard®. .
Is a secured card the same as a prepaid card?
You Dont Need Perfect Credit To Qualify
If your credit score is fair or poor, you may not be approved when you apply for an unsecured credit card. A secured credit card is different. Because youre required to put down a security deposit in order to open a secured credit card, its less risky for a credit card issuer. So, even if you have a lower score, you may still be able to get one of these cards in your name.
Keep in mind that a secured credit card is not the same as a prepaid card. With a prepaid card, you cover your purchases with cash from a debit account. When you use a secured credit card, however, youre truly purchasing with credit. Cash is held as collateral in case you dont pay your bill, but the card lets you charge against a genuine credit limit. You receive a monthly bill and pay toward that balance regularly.
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How Fast Does A Secured Card Build Credit
Many people find that by using a secured card carefully, it takes only about a year to improve their credit score enough that they’re able to qualify for an unsecured card. Some issuers will let you transfer your secured line of credit to an unsecured one, which is better for your credit score because it doesn’t require you to open a new account.
But even if you do have to apply for a new unsecured credit card, you may be able to enjoy some of the benefits of having good credit lower interest, rewards and more competitive fees.
When that day comes, your time rebuilding your credit with a secured credit card will have been worth it.
A secured credit card is a credit card that requires you to provide a cash security deposit to open an account. The deposit protects the issuer from losing money if you don’t pay your bill, so secured credit cards are easier to get for people with bad credit or no credit history.
When you open a secured credit card account, you provide a cash security deposit. Minimum deposit requirements are usually $200 to $300. Your deposit is usually equal to your credit limit so if you put down a $500 deposit, you’ll have a credit line of $500.
A secured credit card is one of the easiest and quickest ways to build credit, provided you use it responsibly:
Some secured card holders are able to boost their credit enough to qualify for a regular card in less than a year.
How To Upgrade To An Unsecured Credit Card
You probably dont want to keep a secured card forever for most people, secured credit cards are a bridge to bigger and better things. When you are able to upgrade, your next credit card should be a rewards card. If you have good credit and are able to pay your bill in full each month, passing up on a rewards card is like passing up on extra money, essentially. In addition to higher credit limits, youll have the luxury of earning cash back or travel points and access to exclusive perks like sign-up bonuses and 0% intro APR offers.
So how does upgrading your secured credit card work? Heres what a typical timeline looks like:
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Can I Get My Go2bank Secured Credit Card Security Deposit Back
Yes. The security deposit is completely refundable if you pay your balance in full when closing the account. Any security deposit balance remaining after pending transactions clear and after paying your account balance and interest charges will be transferred directly to your GO2bank account balance OR mailed to the address on file if you already closed your GO2bank account. It may take to up to 30 calendar days to process your refund.
Please refer to your Cardholder Agreement & Security Agreement for details.
Five Smart Moves For Using Your Secured Card Responsibly
Slide 1
Before you apply for a secured card, shop around. Keep in mind fees, interest rates and required security deposits.
Slide 2
Set up automatic monthly payments to help avoid late fees and interest charges.
Slide 5
Pay more than the monthly minimum amount owed. If you can, make more than one payment a month.
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Can I Buy A House With 5 Deposit
Its true that lenders like to see a deposit of at least 20% of your propertys purchase price. However, it may be possible to buy a home with much less. Some lenders may offer loans of 90% or even 95% of the propertys value which means you could potentially get into the market with a deposit of 10% or even 5%.
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What Is The Best Secured Credit Card For You
The best secured credit card on the market today is the one that helps you build credit with the perks and benefits you want the most. The top secured credit cards report to the three credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, which is what makes them helpful for building credit. Other features to look for in a secured credit card include a lack of fees, the ability to earn rewards and the option for a small security deposit.
You should also look closely at each card’s ongoing Annual Percentage Rate . APRs on secured credit cards can vary tremendously, sometimes ranging very high. Though you should avoid carrying a balance, youll want a card with a reasonable APR in case you can’t pay your bill in time.
A Deposit On Your Future
Putting down a deposit on a secured credit card may be painful, especially since you can’t use that deposit to pay your credit card bills. But keep in mind that you can get your deposit back once you close your account or convert it to an unsecured credit card. Ultimately, the deposit on a secured card is a small investment in building a good credit score, a robust credit history and a better financial futureâand you can’t put a price on that.
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How To Make A Deposit On A Secured Credit Card
Making your security deposit is usually the last step in the secured credit card application process. You’ll fill out an application online, provide personal information such as your Social Security number and financial information such as your monthly income, and decide how high you want your credit limit to be. Typically, secured credit cards let you select a credit limit ranging from $200 to $2,000 some cards offer set amounts for you to choose from.
Once you select the credit limit you want, you’ll make a deposit for that amount via electronic transfer or debit. Before you start filling out your online application, make sure you have enough money available to transfer at the end of the process.
Because you submit your deposit as part of the application process, you’ll typically be approved immediately. Your secured credit card will then be mailed to you as soon as you receive and activate it, you can start using it right away.
Are you nervous about putting down a deposit online without having a credit card in hand? Some secured credit card issuers let you apply online and wait to make your security deposit once you’ve been approved and receive your credit card. Once you make the security deposit, the card will be activated and ready to use. Keep in mind that if you don’t make the security deposit within a certain time period set by the card issuer, your card approval will be withdrawn.
What Is A Security Deposit For A Credit Card
A security deposit is a refundable deposit that serves as collateral for the secured credit card. The credit card issuer holds the deposit and only uses it if you default on your credit card balance. It’s important to understand that you can’t use your security deposit to pay your monthly credit card bill.
Generally, your security deposit is equal to your . The credit card issuer may increase your credit limit after a certain time if you make on-time payments or provide an additional security deposit. Read the specific terms of the credit card you’re applying for to find out how and when you can increase your credit limit.
If you use your secured credit card responsibly, the card issuer may offer to convert it to an unsecured credit card and refund your security deposit. Not all secured card issuers offer an unsecured option, so check the terms of the credit card you’re applying for if you’re interested in this feature.
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Your Credit Limit Is Tied To Your Security Deposit
As the name may imply, secured credit cards are secured by a cash deposit held in a collateral account. When you apply for a secured credit card, youre able to request the credit limit youd like typically between $250 and $5000 based on the amount of funds you have available and want to use to secure the account. If youre approved, you then supply a security deposit equal to the value of your credit limit. That money will stay in a savings account. And, provided you dont get too far behind on your card payments, you should receive that deposit back sometimes with interest when you close your card or graduate to an unsecured credit card.
Which Banks Offer Secured Credit Cards
Many banks and card issuers offer secured credit cards. If you have a preferred bank, consider asking whether they offer a secured credit card. Don’t apply for a card without digging into the terms and conditions, however. Look at the APR, fees, and whether you can be transitioned to an unsecured card in the future.
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What Is A Secured Credit Card
When a credit card is âsecured,â it means money must be deposited with the credit card issuer in order to open an account. That money is known as a security deposit. And itâs held by the credit card issuer while the account is open, similar to the security deposit given to a landlord to rent an apartment.
A secured credit card can be a great option for people who are establishing, building or rebuilding their credit. And building credit through responsible use can make you a better candidate for things like mortgages, car loans and other credit cards.
How Does A Secured Credit Card Work
If you have credit problems or no credit, a secured credit card from Navy Federal Credit Union can help. Heres how.
If you have limited experience with credit or had credit problems in the past, you may think youre out of luck when it comes to obtaining a credit card. However, theres a solution: a secured credit card. How does a secured credit card workand how can you get one? Let’s find out.
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Myth : Secured Cards Dont Give You Any Credit Card Rewards
Reality: While many secured credit cards dont offer a rewards program, the Discover it® Secured credit card lets you earn rewards just like other Discover credit cards. Youll earn 2 percent cash back rewards on the first $1,000 of all gas and restaurant purchases each quarter. Plus, youll get 1 percent unlimited cash back on all other purchases.
Dont let other peoples misunderstandings or misconceptions about secured credit cards hold you back. With a bit of research, youll see why secured credit cards can help you improve your financial life. If you want to establish credit for the first time, or if you have not been able to qualify for a standard unsecured credit card, applying for a secured credit card may help you manage your spending and build a stronger financial future.
If you prefer not to receive your FICO® Credit Score just call us at 1-800-DISCOVER . Please give us two billing cycles to process your request. To learn more, visit Discover.com/FICO.
Legal Disclaimer: This site is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. The material on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and does not indicate the availability of any Discover product or service. It does not guarantee that Discover offers or endorses a product or service. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.
A Refund Will Be Issued When You Close The Account
For many consumers, the most compelling reason to choose a secured credit card over an unsecured subprime credit card is the fact that, unlike unsecured card fees, the deposit for a secured credit card is completely refundable including the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card. Once your credit has improved and youre ready to move on from your Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, you can close the account and your full deposit will be returned to you.
Alternatively, some Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card users have reported their Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card getting upgraded by Capital One to an unsecured credit card. Essentially, Capital One periodically reviews your credit progress over time. If the issuer feels as though your credit situation has improved to the point that your risk levels are now low enough for an unsecured product, it may automatically upgrade your card and refund your deposit.
Secured Mastercard® from Capital One cardholders may become eligible for an upgrade to an unsecured credit card over time.
But that may not always be the case. A goodly number of forum posts detail the struggles of some cardholders to obtain an upgrade, despite good credit scores and potentially years of on-time payments, so consider the potential difficulties if this is a determining factor for you.
Plus, if youve accrued a larger debt than your deposit can cover , then youll still be on the hook for the remaining amount.
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Which Secured Card Is Right For You
There are a few things to consider when choosing a secured credit card: how much is the required deposit, how do you transition to an unsecured card and can you earn rewards?
One strong secured card option is the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, which requires a $200 deposit but comes with some good perks. You can earn rewards , there’s no foreign transaction fees and there’s no annual fee.
If you’re looking for a card that requires a smaller deposit, you might want to consider the Capital One® Secured Mastercard®. If you qualify for the low $49 or $99 deposits, you’ll still receive a $200 credit limit.