A credit card offers a convenient way to buy things now and pay for them later. However, getting one can feel impossible for many. You need credit to get credit, but what can you do if you have a troubled financial history or no credit history at all? Enter the secured credit card. Secured credit cards are easier to get approved for, relatively simple to maintain, and some can even be upgraded down the road.
Unlike traditional credit cards, a secured credit card asks for an upfront security deposit, and your “credit limit” is typically equal to the amount you deposit. Therefore, if you deposit $200, you will receive a $200 credit line. This deposit is refundable and some card providers even issue your deposit back as a statement credit once you demonstrate a pattern of responsible credit usage. It is an arrangement that is particularly useful for someone who needs a credit builder account to show they can reliably pay a bill each month.
Secured Mastercard® from Capital One
The Secured Mastercard from Capital One* may give you up to $200 in credit when you deposit between $49 and $99 — making it one of the few secured cards to offer actual credit. (Your particular terms depend on your specific application and credit score.) In addition, this card checks all of the boxes: $0 annual fee, modest minimum security deposit of $49 — and the opportunity to get your minimum deposit back after demonstrating responsible credit usage. You could also be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months. Also nice: Capital One will preapprove you with a soft credit check, providing a risk-free peek at eligibility before you submit an official application to the credit card company.
APR: 26.99% variable APR
Annual fee: $0
Credit line limits: $200 to $1,000
Deposit refund: Capital One will monitor your account and with responsible use, you could earn back your deposit in the form of a statement credit
Deposit refund detail: “We will monitor your account, and as you use it responsibly by doing things like making on-time payments, you may be able to earn back your deposit as a statement credit.”
Other fees: Late payment: up to $40
Credit check: Soft check for preapproval, hard check with application
BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card
The BankAmericard Secured Credit Card* offers the table stakes: a $0 annual fee and an opportunity to get your deposit back and transition to a standard Visa credit card account. The only real potential drawback is the slightly higher minimum credit line: $300, which is $100 more than our other top picks. Still, this is a solid offering from a well-known national bank with solid online tools and plenty of retail locations.
APR: 22.99% variable APR
Annual fee: $0
Credit line limits: $300 to $4,900
Deposit refund: Periodic review
Deposit refund detail: “We’ll periodically review your account and, based on your overall credit history (including your account with us and other credit cards and loans), you may qualify to have your security deposit returned.”
Other fees: Late payment: up to $40; returned payment: up to $29
Credit check: Hard check with application
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Another excellent choice, the Discover it Secured Credit Card* offers a $0 annual fee and $200 minimum credit line. You may qualify for a deposit refund after eight months of paying your statement in full and on time.
It is worth noting that this card also features a rewards program — though be cautioned that it could tempt you to spend more than you can afford. In addition, if you are approved for the card with a lower credit line limit, the 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined quarterly purchases, then 1%) and 1% cash back on other purchases will not amount to much, anyway.
APR: 22.99% variable APR
Annual fee: $0
Credit line limits: $200 to $2,500
Deposit refund: Monthly review starting at eight months
Deposit refund detail: “Automatic monthly reviews at eight months to see if your account qualifies to ‘graduate’ after showing responsible use of all your credit over time.”
Other fees: Late payment: up to $40 (waived for first late payment); returned payment: up to $40
Credit check: Hard check with application
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
The OpenSky Secured credit card application does not require a credit check, making it a good option — and perhaps a last resort — for people with low credit scores. If another issuer has declined you, this card may be a good second choice.
However, you will have to pay the price: There is a $35 annual fee. And given that part of the credit rehab process is leaving credit accounts open for as long as possible — in order to build back a credit history and work toward lower credit utilization, you may end up paying that annual fee for years to come. Still, if the card helps rebuild your credit, it is well worth the cost.
APR: 17.39% variable APR
Annual fee: $35
Credit line limits: $200 to $3,000
Deposit refund: None
Deposit refund detail: N/A
Other fees: Late payment: up to $38; returned payment: up to $25
Credit check: None
Annual feeNoneNoneNone$35
APR26.99% variable22.99% variable22.99% variable17.39% variable
Credit line limits$200 to $1,000$300 to $4,900$200 to $2,500$200 to $3,000
Deposit refundCapital One will review your account and with responsible use, you could earn back your deposit in the form of a statement creditPeriodic review of account for deposit refundMonthly review starting at 8 months to refund depositNone
Other feesLate payment: up to $40Late payment: up to $40; returned payment: up to $29Late payment: up to $40 (waived for first late payment); returned payment: up to $40Late payment: up to $38; returned payment: up to $25
Credit check typeSoft for preapproval, hard with applicationHardHardNone
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What is a secured credit card?
This type of credit card usually requires an upfront deposit equal to the credit limit. Therefore, for a card with a credit limit of $500, you would need to deposit $500. Secured credit cards are still subject to late and rejected payment fees and generate interest on outstanding balances. As such, a secured credit card presents lower risk to card issuers and allows them to extend lines of credit to borrowers who do not have good credit or meet the minimum credit score threshold.
How much should I deposit when I open an account?
We recommend depositing no more than $300 to $400 for a secured credit card. Given that, you want to keep your credit utilization low by paying off the account two or three times per month, the actual limit does not matter too much. Any additional funds should be placed in a bank account (either checking or savings) to ensure you are keeping your card balance at $0.
How is my credit score calculated?
Credit scores are calculated by looking at a variety of factors related to your personal credit, including length of credit history, payment history, amounts owed, new credit and credit mix. The exact weight of each factor depends on the score model (FICO, VantageScore, or other) and your own credit history. If, for example, you have no credit history, the other factors may be weighted more heavily.
How long does it take to improve my credit score?
After opening a secured credit card account, it will take around one to two months for the secured credit card issuer to report it to a major credit bureau, at which point it will begin impacting your credit report and your credit score. Then it takes several additional months before the account’s activity is substantial enough to make a difference. If you maintain a low or $0 balance and manage the rest of your financial house responsibly, you could raise your score several hundred points in a year or two, but it will depend on your particular situation. If you have a longer credit history with a number of issues, it will take longer. If you have a shorter history, each month’s activity will play a much larger role.
Why do you recommend paying off the account two to three times a month?
By paying off your account more than once a month, you greatly reduce the risk of paying late, missing a payment or getting charged interest for an outstanding balance. We recommend choosing set days to make payments, like the 15th and 30th of every month, or the 10th, 20th and 30th.
How often should I use my secured credit card?
Swipe it two or three times a month to ensure the account is considered active. There is just no reason to use it any more than that, or make it your primary way of paying for things. A secured credit card is a tool for repairing damaged credit from an unsecured card or cards or establishing and building credit. To simplify your finances, it is best to make other purchases with cash or a debit card. Studies show that consumers who pay with credit tend to spend more than they would if they paid with cash, so if you’re trying to right the ship or start on the right track, it’s best to first establish a budget through cash or debit card purchases to ensure you don’t spend beyond that budget.
Should I keep a secured credit card once my credit is in better shape?
Yes. Keeping the account open, active, and with a $0 balance will continue to improve your credit score as the length of the credit history grows and you maintain a low credit utilization.
Is there ever a situation when I would use a secured credit card like a balance transfer credit card?
No. We do not ever recommend transferring a balance to a secured credit card. Some websites may tout particular secured credit cards for introductory 0% APR offers but we strongly advise against transferring a balance. If you are looking for a card for balance transfers, check out our article on the best balance transfer credit cards or look into other ways of dealing with credit card debt.
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