The is designed to help cardholders build or rebuild their credit. Instead of tying card approval to your credit score, First Progress uses a refundable security deposit to establish your credit line. With no minimum credit score or credit history required, this card is a great option to help manage debt and improve financial health.
This card is backed by Progress Credit, which helps cardholders steadily build or rebuild their credit scores. The company also offers two other secured cards — the and the — which features slightly lower annual fees but higher interest rates.
The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card can’t compete on rewards or annual fees when it comes to secured credit cards, but it offers one of the lowest purchase APRs available.
What we like about the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
- 9.99% (Variable) APR for purchases, which is significantly lower than most secured and unsecured cards
- No minimum credit score or history required, making it easy to start building credit with a cash deposit of $200
- Deposits are fully refundable once your balance is paid
- Credit scores are reported to all three major credit bureaus monthly to help build credit
Things to consider
- $49 annual fee: If your cash flow is limited, this fee can be frustrating
- No balance transfers: This card doesn’t offer the option of balance transfers
- Potential payment fees: If you choose to use outside payment vendors rather than your bank account to make balance payments, you maybe be charged additional fees
- Late payment fees: You’ll be charged up to $40 for any payments not received by the statement due date
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® low APR details
While the defining feature of this card is secured credit, what sets it apart from competitors is its low purchase APR. Making the most of the means leveraging these features in tandem to maximize your purchasing power and boost your credit score.
To get approved, you must deposit $200 into a deposit account at Synovus Bank. While it can be refunded if you pay your credit balance and close your account, it can’t be removed while your card is active. Once your card is activated, the automatic credit reporting each month means that you’re constantly building credit to eventually gain a higher credit limit.
The low APR offered by First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card makes the path to better credit easier. At just under 10% (variable with the prime rate), you’ll pay less in interest for purchases each month, in turn reducing the amount of time you’ll spend paying your card down. This is what credit bureaus want to see — cards that are used but also consistently paid off.
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® fees
The biggest fee you’ll pay for the is the annual fee of $49 per year. You also pay $10 or 3% (whichever is greater) for any cash advances, and a 3% fee also applies to any foreign transactions. It’s also worth noting the card’s late and returned payment fees, which are up to $40 and up to $29, respectively.
While foreign transactions and cash advances probably won’t be your first priority when building credit, the cost of yearly fees combined with fairly substantial late and returned penalties can negatively impact your overall financial footing.
How does it compare to other secured credit cards?
Although the offers the benefit of low APR for purchases, it’s not the only secured credit option on the market. For example, if you prefer secured credit with no annual fee, the may be your best fit. If you like the idea of getting cash back while also building your credit, opt for the to earn while you spend.
| Card | Ongoing Purchase APR | Annual Fee | Intro Bonus | Credit Needed | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.99% (Variable) | $49 | None | No Credit History |
|
|
| 26.99% (Variable) | $0 | None | No Credit History |
|
|
| 24.49% Variable | $0 | Discover will match all cash back earned at the end of your first year | No Credit History |
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The bottom line
The is a great fit if you’re looking to build or rebuild your credit, thanks to its easy approval process and low APR. If cash back rewards or having no annual fees are your biggest priority, however, consider other options like the or the .
Editorial Note: Compensation does not influence our recommendations. However, we may earn a commission on sales from the companies featured in this post. To view a list of partners, click here. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers. Reasonable efforts are made to present accurate info, however all information is presented without warranty. Consult our advertiser's page for terms & conditions.
The post The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card Review appeared first on The Simple Dollar.
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