Tag Archives: secured credit card
Can Secured Credit Cards Lead You To Good Credit?
If you are suffering from bad credit history, surely you would like to find an easier way to regain your good credit standing. The good news is, it does not have to be a difficult task. There are several options that you can do to raise your credit score at the soonest time possible.
One option is to get a secured credit card. Can a secured credit card really lead you to good credit? Read on to find out.
What is a secured credit card?
As the name implies, a secured credit card requires its cardholder to submit security or cash deposit. Thus, despite having a poor credit score, the credit card company is given the guarantee that funds will be readily at hand in case of payment defaults.
Secured cards grant quick and instant approval regardless of the status of your credit history. Whether you have bad credit or no credit, you can surely open a secured credit card account in your name. This type of credit card is indeed a wonderful tool for establishing and rebuilding credit.
Will other people know that you are using a secured card? Secured cards look exactly like regular credit cards so no one has to know that you are using a secured account because you have bad credit. It can used for purchasing or paying bills anywhere where standard credit cards are accepted.
The Difference of Getting Secured Credit Card The main difference with a secured account is the submission of cash security deposit. Usually, the amount of your deposit will determine the value of your credit limit. Some secured card issuers do offer a slightly higher credit line than the amount of cash deposited.
In time, you may request your issuer to raise your limit as you prove your credit worthiness by submitting your payments on time. There are credit card companies that will automatically give an upgrade to an unsecured account after a year of consistent payments.
Before signing up, see to it that your chosen issuer provides credit reporting to the major credit bureaus so you can improve your credit history as you make your payments. After improving your credit, switching to a non-secured account will enable you to enjoy lower rates and more privileges.
Be a Wise Secured Cardholder
Yes, secured credit cards can be used to rebuild bad credit. However, that will depend on how you use your card and how you keep up with your payments. The safest way to manage your account is to keep your charges minimal and to pay off your monthly balances in full at all times.
Avoid carrying over your balance for the next billing cycle so you wont have to pay the interest rates. Be conscious about your due dates. If for a really good reason, you will not be able to make your payment on time, do not hesitate to call up your bank and explain your situation. Request for an extension of your deadline and ask your issuer not to report your late payment if you can submit on the extended date.
The Lowdown on the Orchard Bank Secured Credit Card
When your credit history is proving to be a hindrance to your financial well-being, perhaps it is time for you to get a secured credit card. One of the cards worth your consideration would be the Orchard Bank MasterCard secured card issued by the HSBC Bank of Nevada.
This card targets customers with poor or limited credit ratings, and aids them towards improving their credit histories. A secured credit card works by requiring the card holder to deposit cash into their credit card account prior to utilization. This way, this credit card prevents its card owners from incurring more debt whilst helping them re-establish their credit history.
An additional advantage unique to this card is that the deposits in the account are paid interests by the bank. In the effort to establish a healthy credit rating, customers must bear in mind that late payments must be avoided, and they have to be aware of the current annual percentage rate for the card as the APR of the Orchard Bank Secured Credit card is based on a variable rate. Although, the regular rate now stands at 15.90%, the actual rate is dependent on the Prime Rate. APRs for cash advances are higher than most cards at 23.40%, with a minimum rate of 19.99%.
Interestingly enough, the annual fees for the Orchard Bank Secured Credit Card is lower than other most unsecured credit cards. Balances above $1000 will only incur fees of $35 whilst card holders who have charged more than their credit limits will only be charged only $29. Also, there are periodic reviews of the credit limit for each account, so regular payments will enable the card holder to obtain higher credit limits and at the same time improving their credit history.
Finally, the Orchard Bank secured credit card also offers a lot of perks not evident in other competing credit cards. These would include Internet services, emergency replacements for stolen cards as well as numerous protection services against fraud and identity theft.