Credit Building Cards are available for all credit scores
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Welcome!
Credit and Cents is your partner in building financial awareness on your journey to financial freedom. In just a mere 10 minutes, you can unlock the potential of our featured credit building cash back credit cards, tailored to various credit profiles.
💳Credit Building Credit Cards For Individuals With Poor/Limited/No Credit
🛡️Featured Credit Cards for All Credit Types:
Our careful selection of credit cards caters to individuals with diverse credit backgrounds, whether excellent, good, average, poor, or new to credit. These cards have been meticulously chosen to assist you in achieving your twin goals of earning cash back rewards and elevating your creditworthiness within a short timeframe.
Secure your future today with a credit card that reports to all three bureaus.
| Credit Card | Ideal For | Highlights |
Best for no annual fee and no credit checksopensky® Plus Secured Visa® CardApply or Learn More | Those with poor/limited credit/ rebuilding (no credit check necessary to apply)No annual fee secured credit card with cash back |
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Best for no credit checks and low security depositopensky® Launch Secured Visa® Credit CardApply or Learn More | Those with poor/limited credit/ rebuilding (no credit check necessary to apply)
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New! Apply for the Yendo credit card – the first credit card backed by vehicle equity. It works like a regular Mastercard, but uses your vehicle equity to get higher limits at affordable rates. Scroll below to learn more.
Credit and Cents Editor’s Recommendations:
Yendo Credit Card – Best for high credit limits using your car’s value (for those with responsible use)
First Progress Platinum Select Secured Card – Best for basic rewards while building credit
First Progress Platinum Prestige Secured Card – Best for low interest while you rebuild credit
Yendo Credit Card Review
📌Unsecured Credit Building Credit Cards
| Credit Card | Ideal For | Highlights |
Best for credit rebuilders with no security depositReflex Mastercard® Credit CardApply or Learn More | Those with fair/poor/bad/limited credit (all credit types welcome to apply for this unsecured credit card |
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Best for rebuilding credit without a depositSurge Mastercard® Credit CardApply or Learn More | Those with poor/fair/damaged credit (all credit types welcome to apply for this unsecured credit card) |
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Understanding FICO Credit Score Ranges:
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- Excellent credit: 800 – 850
- Very Good credit: 740 – 799
- Good credit: 670 – 739
- Fair credit: 580 – 669
- Poor credit: 300 – 579
Higher credit scores get lower interest rates (APRs)
To learn more about building credit fast with secured credit cards, click here.
Open Savings Connect with just $100. Get the highest rate for all balances!
Secured Card options
Our Approach to Selecting the Best Secured Credit Cards
In our selection process, we prioritized both accessibility and utility. Since secured cards involve a security deposit, we concentrated on options with a low minimum deposit for easier card opening or a high maximum deposit for accelerated credit building. Additionally, we considered cards offering “extras” beyond credit access such as low to no annual fees, pay deposit in installments, and the ability to earn cash back.
Among the credit-building secured cards, our featured opensky® Plus Secured Visa® has no annual fee, no credit check, and rich cash back.
Credit Building Credit Cards For Individuals With Poor/Limited/No Credit
NEW! opensky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card – No Annual Fee and 88% average approval rate1
Ideal for: Those with poor/bad/limited credit (no credit check necessary to apply). Now earn 10% cash back* on everyday purchases.
The application asks your name, address, date of birth, and other basic information. You may be asked to provide your driver’s license or other identifying documents. Once submitted, you’ll receive your approval in real-time.
Apply
If you have a credit score of 629 or lower, the opensky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card offers significant advantages.
The opensky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card comes with the following benefits:
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No annual fee – keep more money in your pocket!
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No credit check required – 89% approval rate with zero credit risk to apply!
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Earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases
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Boost your credit score fast—2 out of 3 opensky® cardholders see an average increase of 47 points after 6 months
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Track your progress with free access to your FICO® score in our mobile app
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Build your credit history with reporting to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
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Seamless payments—add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
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Start with as little as $300 – Secure your line with a refundable security deposit
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Fast and easy application—apply in minutes with our mobile-first experience
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Flexible payment options—pick a due date that works for you
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More time to fund—spread your security deposit over 60 days with layaway
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Join 1.6 million+ cardholders who have used opensky® to build better credit!
Is the opensky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card right for you?
The minimum security deposit requirement of $300 is slightly higher than other secured cards. However, the deposit can be paid in increments, as long as it’s paid within 60 days. You can get that deposit back once you’ve demonstrated responsible card use — such as paying your bill on time. If you are serious about building or rebuilding your credit, then this no annual fee secured card is a great option.
Just answer a few simple questions, provide some basic information, and click “Submit” to send your form. You’ll receive your approval in real-time.
For a secured credit card with a low security deposit and no credit check:
NEW! opensky® Launch Secured Visa® Credit Card
The application asks your name, address, date of birth, and other basic information. You may be asked to provide your driver’s license or other identifying documents. Once submitted, you’ll receive your approval in real-time.
Apply
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Start building credit with just $100 – secure you line with a low, refundable security deposit
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No credit check required – 89% approval rate with zero credit risk to apply!
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Annual fee billed in monthly installments of $2 per month in year 1 and $3 per month thereafter
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Earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases
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Affordable payments – minimum payment as low as $10
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Boost your credit score fast—2 out of 3 opensky® cardholders see an average increase of 47 points after 6 months
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Track your progress with free access to your FICO® score in our mobile app
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Build your credit history with reporting to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
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Seamless payments—add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
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Fast and easy application—apply in minutes with our mobile-first experience
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Flexible payment options—pick a due date that works for you
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More time to fund—spread your security deposit over 60 days with layaway
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Join 1.6 million+ cardholders who have used opensky® to build better credit!
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Opportunities for credit line increases and graduation to our by invitation only unsecured product
Click here to explore additional secured card options
Customer Testimonials
These testimonials are paraphrased and based on publicly available reviews. Individual results may vary. Sources include Trustpilot, WalletHub, Reddit, and NerdWallet.
“I had no credit score and needed something that could help me start fresh. The opensky Secured Visa gave me a chance without checking my credit. Six months later, my score jumped 80 points.”
— Tasha R., Trustpilot Reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Source: Trustpilot – opensky® Secured Visa)
“First Progress Platinum Elite was the only card that approved me after a bankruptcy. I was surprised how easy the process was. My credit is finally moving up again.”
— Luis M., WalletHub Review Contributor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Source: WalletHub – First Progress Elite Mastercard®)
“I started with the opensky card because it doesn’t do a credit check. After using it for 9 months, I was able to move up to a card with rewards.”
— Nina G., Reddit r/personalfinance contributor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Summarized from Reddit thread: “Best secured cards to start building credit?”)
❓ Secured Card FAQs
What is a secured credit card?
A secured card requires a refundable deposit and is designed to help people build or rebuild credit.
Will a secured card help my credit score?
Yes—on-time payments and low credit utilization can lead to score improvement over time.
Can I upgrade to a regular credit card?
This practice varies by issuer. Some issuers automatically upgrade your account as your credit improves while others may require the cardholder to make the request.
Remember, the goal is to view your security deposit as more than just a requirement for credit access; it’s an opportunity for financial growth.
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Click here to learn more about how a secured credit card can be a safe and fast way to build your credit history.
❓FAQs – building credit history:
1. Why Does Credit History Matter?
Your credit history makes up about 15% of your FICO score. A longer history gives lenders more information about how you’ve managed debt, such as making payments on time and keeping balances low.
2. How Long to Establish a Fair Credit Score?
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If you’re starting with no credit, you can achieve a fair credit score (600–699) in 1 to 2 years.
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Key habits to follow:
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Pay bills on time.
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Keep your credit utilization low (use less than 30% of your credit limit).
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Avoid unnecessary hard inquiries on your credit report.
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3. How Long to Build Good Credit?
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Moving from fair credit to good credit (700–749) usually takes a few more years.
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Maintaining responsible credit behavior, such as paying on time and managing debt wisely, is essential.
4. How Long to Reach Excellent Credit?
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Achieving an excellent credit score (750 and above) is a long-term goal.
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It typically requires 5–10 years of consistently good habits like:
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Making on-time payments.
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Managing various types of credit (e.g., credit cards, loans).
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Keeping balances low.
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5. What Else Should I Keep in Mind?
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Credit-building timelines vary based on individual circumstances.
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Focus on building good financial habits, such as consistent payments and responsible credit use.
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Your credit score is a snapshot of your financial behavior at a given time, and it will evolve as new information is added to your credit report.
The Path to Credit Improvement
Whether you’re a credit newbie or on a path to rebuilding, our credit cards cater to all credit profiles. Our simple 3-step application process ensures a hassle-free experience, allowing you to swiftly embark on your credit building journey. Choose the card that best meets your credit needs.
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Finish the application in one sitting and get approved
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Use your ATM card to fund your refundable deposit (for secured cards only)
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Receive your credit card in a few days and start building your credit history
Apply today for our diverse range of secured and unsecured credit cards, carefully designed to facilitate credit building and rewards accumulation.
For ongoing credit building insights bookmark our site.
If you are interested in loan options (including receiving emergency cash within one business day or for loans for all credit scores including bad credit), please click here.
Small business owners can save with Melio Pay. Click here to learn more.
Click below to get up to 4 auto loan offers in just minutes for new and used autos or to refinance an existing auto loan (the average customer can save $1,900 on refinancing):
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Along with secured cards, please click here for additional strategies that can be implemented to help build (or re-build) credit history fast.
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Sources Used: Issuer websites, ftc.gov.