Credit score tips to get the best secured credit cards? You receive the card. Once your deposit is funded, the issuer will send you your card. You can then use it just like any other credit card. In general, it’s best to use less than 30% of your available credit at any given time, so don’t go maxing out your secured card. Use it for a few small purchases each month and pay them off promptly. You get your bill and pay it each month. Because secured cards tend to charge very high interest rates, it’s best to pay your bill in full every month to avoid finance charges. The issuer reports your payments to the credit bureaus, which helps you build credit.

Applicants do not have to have a credit history, and Capital Bank will not run a credit check. As with most secured credit cards, your credit limit is determined by the amount you deposit, between $200 and $3,000. We like that the annual percentage rate for purchases isn’t as bruising as with some secured cards. You’ll pay 17.39% variable APR, which is higher than standard credit card interest rates, but lower than the 20% APR or higher you’ll find on other cards. You don’t need a bank account to apply. The APR is relatively low compared with other secured credit cards. 17.39% variable APR.

Although the issuer will check your credit when you apply for the First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card, it’s not a “hard” credit inquiry, so it doesn’t affect your credit score. That can be a benefit when every point counts. Although it’s always best to pay your credit card in full each month, especially when you’re trying to build credit, the low interest rate on the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card takes a much smaller bite when you do carry a balance. The downside: A substantial annual fee.

The Capital One Secured card is Investopedia’s choice for Best Secured Card due to its low fees and security deposit flexibility, allowing customers to send in their account deposits in installments rather than having to make it all at once. Capital One also offers automatic credit line increase reviews after as little as six months of responsible card use. No annual fee makes this a good entry level card for those needing to build their credit.

When you manage this credit line successfully, it helps to build a history with credit bureaus and can ultimately improve your credit score. Your card will operate like a normal credit card, with the deposit just there as security. Can I Use My Deposit To Pay My Minimum Payment Or Balance? No. These are two separate financial records that you hold with the company. You can’t decide to turn to your deposit amount so that you can pay your minimum payment or balance; these payments must be made separately. If you are late with a payment, then your card issuer may decide to use some of your deposit to meet the payments. You will usually be notified if this is going to happen; you may also find the card is voided until you can repay the security deposit. Read even more details on go here.