08/20/2024
What are secured credit cards? 🤔
Secured credit cards are a special type of card that requires a cash deposit — usually equal to your credit limit — to be made when you open the account. This money then acts as collateral every time you make a purchase. If you fail to make payments on time or default on your debt, your lender can use the deposit to reimburse itself.
A secured credit card might be right for you if:
You're looking to establish or build credit. Whether you're trying to improve your credit scores or start building a credit history, a secured credit card can be a great option. Because a cash deposit backs them, secured credit cards usually have more lenient approval requirements, making them more accessible to some borrowers than unsecured cards.
You don't mind paying a refundable deposit. Although a secured credit card requires you to come up with an up-front cash deposit, the funds will generally be returned to you when you close your account, provided you've paid your balance in full and on time each month.
You want to work your way up to an unsecured credit card. Secured credit cards are often used as a stepping-stone to approval for an unsecured credit card. Once you've improved your credit scores and shown financial institutions you are able to use credit responsibly, you may be able to transition to an unsecured credit card.
Secured credit cards work similarly to debit cards in that you're using your own money as insurance for transactions rather than borrowing funds from a lender. However, unlike a debit card, the payment history for your secured card may be reported to the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) — Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.
Provided your lenders report your payment history to the CRAs, a secured credit card can be a helpful tool for building and improving credit. Because secured cards are essentially insured with your own money, they may be more accessible than other types of credit cards. This is especially true for high-risk borrowers or those with little to no credit history. ✨
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