Secured Credit Cards The Safer Bet

May 20th, 2011 by admin

I have always considered a credit card to be a risky proposition. This is true especially for people who feel a great urge to buy things when they have a credit card with them. There are many people who have ended up buying things with a credit card that they otherwise would never have purchased. But what we are talking about are the negative aspects of owning a credit card. On the other hand, look at the convenience that it offers. Be sensible and use it, do not abuse it. The credit card can be a really great financial tool to possess. There are different types of credit cards.

Secured Credit Cards

Secured credit cards are the safer bet when it comes to owning a credit card. These credit cards require the applicant to deposit some money in a special savings account with the credit card company. Based on the amount deposited and on the income source and credit history of the applicant, the application is accepted or rejected. Secured credit cards have always been compared to debit cards. But these cards are different. In debit cards, the money is directly debited from the bank account. But in secured credit cards, it is a loan that you avail of based on the amount in the savings account. If you make the monthly payments regularly and on time, the money in your savings account is never touched. It is intact. Only if you default on payments, then the money is debited from the savings account. Secured credit cards are real credit cards. It can be a visa or a MasterCard.

Less risk involved

Credit card companies feel more secure when they deal with a secured credit card application. This is because, when the applicant is ready o deposit some amount of money, it creates an impression that he is serious about making the payments on time. Hence you will find that your application for a secured credit card has more chances of being accepted. These cards will also not cause a huge dent in your accredit scores. For those who do not know, a credit card is the easiest way for you to ruin your credit scores. So use a secured credit card and build up a good credit and payment history. It will help you when you apply for other credit cards or loans in the future.

Interest Rates

The interest rates for secured credit cards also vary according to the lender and the applicant. For example if an applicant is ready to deposit a large amount in the savings account, he may get a much lower interest rate. Some lenders have interest rates that start from as low as 9% and goes up to as high as 23% or more for secured credit cards. The annual fees also vary from $0 or $65 or more.

Minimum deposit

The minimum amount that you need to deposit also varies from one credit card Company to the other. Some companies have a minimum balance requirement of $300 while there are others who require a minimum balance of $500 or more. Whichever company you sign up for, ensure that you shop around a bit before you sign up for anyone of them.

Secured Credit Cards Of the two types of credit cards, secured credit cards are always the better option. They are safer and can often control the urge that you have to spend unnecessarily.

How much should i charge on my secured credit card to get the best credit rating?

How much should i charge on my secured credit card to get the best credit rating?

I can charge up to $500 on my secured credit card and want to know how much should I charge on my secured credit card to get the best credit rating. I need to build credit because I got none.
I’ll be paying it off every month.

I’m wondering how much I should charge on my secured credit card every month out of my $500 maximum.

Answer
Not much. I would keep less then $100 balance on it and only pay the minimum payment every month.

The credit companies want to see that you can handle paying a bill month after month with no lateness.

NEVER EVER EVER have more then $250 on there if your max is $500. But I would keep it at LESS than $100.

I told my neighbor these directions to improve her score and it got dramatically better in six months.

I’ve done this religiously for 10 years and have a 720, and no it will not help you to pay it all off every month as the other person suggested. That may help maintain the score, but not increase it.

Good luck!

How to Take Advantage of Secured Credit Cards

May 17th, 2011 by admin

Not many people are familiar with Secured Credit Cards. These cards are usually associated with bad credit mainly because they are the only cards available to those with a recent bankruptcy on their credit report. However these cards provide advantages not only to those with bad credit but also to those who want to build their credit and those who want to purchase expensive goods without having to pay out big amounts in full.

Especially for those with bad credit, secured credit cards provide an excellent tool for raising credit score without having to pay excessive interest rates for financing. They may require a bit of sacrifice at the beginning but in the long run, using secured credit cards to improve credit score surely pays off.

Secured Credit Cards Explained

Secured credit cards work just like any other credit card, the only difference is that in order to obtain credit you need to deposit an amount in a predefined account. That amount will, from then on, be your credit limit. Some companies will apply a multiplier to the amount thus increasing your credit limit even more. For example if the credit card comes with a 1.5X Multiplier, if you deposit $1000 on your account, your credit card limit will be $1500. If the Multiplier is 0.8X Then your credit card limit will be $800. This will depend mainly on your credit score and history.

Raising Your Credit Score

Those who have bad credit or no credit at all will find in secured credit cards, the best solution for credit repairing. Sometimes credit score gets so low that there are no chances of getting approved for an unsecured credit card or for a personal loan. Secured credit cards on the contrary, are never declined due to credit reasons.

Though the amount for the deposit may not be easy to obtain, once you start using your credit card, your credit will start improving. The continued payments on your credit card balances (preferably in full) will be recorded into your credit report and this will contribute to raising your credit score month after month.

The process may continue indefinitely. However, it will come the time when you will be able to get approved for an unsecured credit card. Then, you will be able to claim the money from the deposit and use it for better purposes like building a savings account to face unexpected circumstances without having to resort to finance.

Purchasing Expensive Items

There are many stores that offer to purchase certain goods (especially electronic equipment) in installments with credit cards. However, some of these items are so expensive that credit limits on unsecured credit cards will not cover for them. Instead of paying in cash, you can use a secured credit card and earn some money on the deposit. There are some secured credit cards that will pay you interest on the money you deposit. It is an excellent way to transfer the cost of financing to the store and to earn some money at the same time.

Melissa Kellett is an expert loan consultant who has worked for twenty years in the financial industry and helps people to repair their credit and get approved for home loans, unsecured personal loans, student loans, consolidation loans, car loans and many other types of loans and financial products. If you want to learn more about Easy Loans for Poor Credit and Unsecured Loans you can visit her site http://www.speedybadcreditloans.com/

What is a good secured credit card for people with bad credit?

Trying to rebuild my credit and looking for a secured credit card to help me rebuild my credit. Any suggestions or referrals?

Answer
While I am not a huge fan of HSBC, their subprime subsidiary, Orchard Bank, is one of the better cards for rebuilding credit. You will need to pay at least $200 up front, but the interest rate they give is usually much lower than a lot of the other “bad credit” cards. Sometimes they waive the annual fee as well.

Without knowing your credit history, I don’t know if you would be eligible for the Bank of America Platinum Plus card. If you apply for a Bank of America credit card and are turned down, oftentimes they will offer you their Platinum Plus Visa card in the letter they send you declining you for the one you applied for. This is an EXCELLENT partially-secured card that usually requires you to pay $99 and gives you a credit limit of $500. After a year, they will usually unsecure the card entirely and raise your limit if your payment history is good. Bank of America also offers fully secured cards, and if you have a checking or savings account with them, I hear it helps with approval.

Finally, one of the best places for building credit is through your local credit union. They typically offer excellent secured credit cards or even secured self-loans designed specifically for those rebuilding damaged credit. If you aren’t in a credit union, join one. They typically have great interest rates and by building a relationship with them, you will have more opportunities available to you as you build history with them.

Good luck.

What You Need to Know Before You Apply for Secured Credit Cards

May 14th, 2011 by admin

If you’ve been facing credit challenges and haven’t been able to obtain credit, you may be getting ready to apply for secured credit cards. Before you do, you need to realize that not all secured cards are created equal. Here are some things to consider before submitting any secured credit card application…

The Deposit

When you apply for secured credit cards, make sure the cards you’re applying for offer reasonable security deposit requirements and that they allot 100% of that deposit to your line of credit. There’s no reason to provide a deposit of $500 if the card will only grant a credit line of $250.

You’ll also want to make sure your deposit earns interest. You’re going to be paying finance charges on any balance you don’t pay off in full, so it’s only fair that you earn interest on the deposit the bank is holding for you.

The Fees

Not all secured cards charge the same fees, and you need to know exactly what fees you’ll be paying before you actually apply for secured credit cards.

An annual fee is acceptable, and may even be expected if you want to pay a low interest rate. Application and processing fees, however, are not. If a credit card company wants to charge you application and processing fees in addition to the annual fee, take your business elsewhere.

Also make sure the interest rate is reasonable. Even if your credit is shot, you’re securing this card with a deposit. There’s no reason to pay a rate of 20 percent or more in finance charges.

Who Will Know?

Some secured cards are really nothing more than prepaid credit cards, not reporting any of your account activity to the credit bureaus. If you’re looking to apply for secured credit cards, it’s because your credit needs improvement. That’s not going to happen if your positive account activity isn’t made available on your credit report.

Will It Evolve?

Another thing to consider when you apply for secured credit cards is whether or not those cards evolve as your credit improves. Some secured credit cards keep the same terms and conditions indefinitely. The best cards evolve into unsecured cards as your credit situation improves.

Remember, secured cards serve more than one purpose. They don’t only serve as access to a credit card number when traditional cards aren’t an option, they’re also a way to improve your credit rating and rebuild your financial standing. Remember this and the above information before you apply for secured credit cards and decide which one is right for you.

For more tips on secured credit cards, saving money and avoiding getting taken, check out CreditCardWhizKid.com, a website that specializes in providing credit card tips, advice and resources.

What is a good secured credit card for people with bad credit?

Trying to rebuild my credit and looking for a secured credit card to help me rebuild my credit. Any suggestions or referrals?

Answer
While I am not a huge fan of HSBC, their subprime subsidiary, Orchard Bank, is one of the better cards for rebuilding credit. You will need to pay at least $200 up front, but the interest rate they give is usually much lower than a lot of the other “bad credit” cards. Sometimes they waive the annual fee as well.

Without knowing your credit history, I don’t know if you would be eligible for the Bank of America Platinum Plus card. If you apply for a Bank of America credit card and are turned down, oftentimes they will offer you their Platinum Plus Visa card in the letter they send you declining you for the one you applied for. This is an EXCELLENT partially-secured card that usually requires you to pay $99 and gives you a credit limit of $500. After a year, they will usually unsecure the card entirely and raise your limit if your payment history is good. Bank of America also offers fully secured cards, and if you have a checking or savings account with them, I hear it helps with approval.

Finally, one of the best places for building credit is through your local credit union. They typically offer excellent secured credit cards or even secured self-loans designed specifically for those rebuilding damaged credit. If you aren’t in a credit union, join one. They typically have great interest rates and by building a relationship with them, you will have more opportunities available to you as you build history with them.

Good luck.

Secured Credit Cards Are They Right For You

May 8th, 2011 by admin

Secured credit cards are a reliable option for many consumers. How to tell if they’re right for you, however, depends on a number of factors. Here are some signs that a secured offer could help your financial situation.

You have a Low Credit Score

Are you trying to rebuild your credit? Have you had financial trouble in the past? Secured cards are an option that can work out well for those of us who are having a hard time getting approved. They are available to almost everyone who sends in an application.

You Want Boundaries

Secured offers work in a way that is different from other, regular credit cards. They are set up so that you deposit a certain amount of cash into the account. This amount serves as collateral.

After you have deposited money into the account, a limit is set. It is generally between 50 percent and 100 percent of what you have deposited. You are then able to use the card as you would a regular credit card. You make purchases and pay a bill every month. If you do go over the limit, money is taken out of your ‘secured’ account.

You Need to Build Credit

One of the benefits of a secured credit card is that in most cases, it will report regularly to major credit bureaus. As you pay your bills on time each month, others will take notice. Over time, this will be reflected on your credit report. By improving your score, you’ll have access to more financial opportunities and offers.

You Want a Credit Card

In some cases, it can be difficult to get approved for a credit card. If you want a card so that you can shop online and use it at stores, a secured credit card may be the way to go. Since issuers approve almost every application, nearly everyone can apply for one. You can then start using it in the same way you would use any other piece of plastic.

You Know about the Fees

Secured credit cards often come with additional fees that you’ll want to be aware of. These might include an initial fee for signing up, an annual fee, and even a monthly service charge. All of these occur because the secured offer is designed for those who need help rebuilding their finances. If you understand the terms and conditions before you apply, you’ll know what to expect.

If the majority of these descriptions fit your situation, now may be a good time to consider signing up for a secured card. You won’t have to worry about going over the limit or running into credit card debt. You’ll also be able to use it just as you would any other credit card.

If you manage your account wisely, you’ll be able to use the card to get a jumpstart on your new financial future. To get started, apply for a secured credit card online. You’ll soon be on your way to more credit possibilities.

Click Here to Find Secured Credit Cards Stephanie Andrews is a contributing editor of the website www.CreditCardCity.com , a credit card directory where you can apply for a new credit card with secure online applications. Visit now to compare all of the best online credit card offers.

What secured credit card is the best choice for avoiding hidden fees and clauses?

I’m looking for a secured credit card to use on special occasions and pay off the balance monthly. What secured credit card is the best choice for avoiding hidden fees and clauses?

Answer
Take a look at this information page http://www.youbigg.com/Credit-Cards.html it lists types of cards and information, it should also answer your question.

How To Apply For Secured Credit Card

May 5th, 2011 by admin

A credit card comes in form of a small plastic card issued by the credit provider after opening an account. The credit provider might be a bank or credit unions. A credit card is part of a system of payments.

The card allows the holder to purchase goods or services and then after purchase the holder signs a receipt with the amount being paid and the credit card details.

The card has to be subjected through an electronic verification system to see the validity of the card and weather the funds available can be able to pay for the goods purchased.

There are also business people who accept card/cardholder not present transaction. That might be over the phone or through the internet.

The difference between a credit card and a charge card is that where a charge card details that each month the balance has to be paid in full, credit cards on the other hand allows its holder to carry forward their balances although there is some amount of interest charged.

Credit card users are always sent statements highlighting the transactions that have been made and any balances encored and the total amount owed. A credit card secured by a deposit account is the one known as a secure credit card.

Therefore, 100% to 200% of the total credit must be deposited by the card holder. This means that goes ahead and puts $1000, then automatically they get a credit ranging $500 to $1000.

In case of bankrupts or divorce, secured credit card offers the holder a great deal of repairing their credit.

In order for the creditor to look at a persons credit, they check out for three major thing; the length of time the account has been operational, how much a person owes the creditor and the way a person has been paying the other credits.

Most people sometimes make frequent charges and some times carry a balance to portray an impression that they can pay on time when re-constructing credit using a secured credit card.

This causes more harm than good to the credit. Card holders are advised to treat their secured credit card as savings account. Insensitive might be offered by the credit card issuer to their secured card portfolios.

This might mean that the deposit needed may be significantly little than the needed credit limited.

Learn how to apply for secured credit card at my site. Discover where to find the best secured credit card offers online.

What are your experiences with a secured credit card?

I’m curious if anyone with a secured credit card is interested in sharing their experiences? Specifically, did you ever miss any payments? What happened when you missed a payment was the collection process what you expected? Did you write off a secured credit card? I’d love to see if there is a difference in collection methods between a regular credit card and a secured credit card. Thanks.

Answer
Look into this website, they have some excellent information about your question:

http://the–credit-cards.blogspot.com/

http://secured-credit–cards.blogspot.com/

Bank Secured Credit Card Offers

May 2nd, 2011 by admin

Bank secured credit cards can be termed as small plastics that are issued to the clients for buying goods and services based on a promise from the credit card holder to pay at a later date mostly by the end of the month.

Based on the above the credit card issuer gives a line of credit to his clients who in tern can use the credit card to get advanced cash make payments to merchants.

Bank secured credit card are very different from charge cards for the charge card the payments need to be done in full every month.

Whereas secured credit card allows the client to play around their balance depending on the interest that will be charged.

Most of these credit cards you will find being given by unions or banks. Bank secured credit cards can only be used after approval by the credit provider.

Once that is done and you are qualified you can use your bank secured credit card to make purchases from merchants that accept the card.

After a purchase has been done, the card hold will be required to provide identification then he or she will be issued with a small slip which in return will sign as prove of purchase.

In these current times you will get that merchants will accept verbal authorization through the telephone and the internet.

The bank secured credit card users are entitled to a statement of account after every end of the month so that it can reflect to the user the break down of what he or she purchased in the course of the month.

If the credit card holder does not dispute with the charges brought forth, then the credit holder must pay for the services when the date is due.

Credit card users can authorize the bank to deduct some of the finances from there back account automatically. Interest charges are over looked when the card holders pay there dues in full every month.

However the credit card issuer will penalize credit card holder in full for interest that is outstanding if the balance is not paid in the designated time. Credit card holders are given grace period before interest is charged to the account.

In addition credit holders prefer to carry cards rather than cash for security purposes and there personal safety.

Discover where to apply for bank secured credit cards online. Learn where to get low interest secured credit card offers at my site.

Where can I get a secured credit card?

I’m 25 and never had a credit card. I get denied for the regular card, and my bank doesn’t do secured credit cards… I’m a full time student and got turned down for the student card as well. I’ve seen applications online for secured cards that always ask for employer and salary. But I’m a student and would like to use some of my loans to start up some good credit. I’d only use it to pay for utilities and normal things, then pay it off each month.
Where can a student get a secured card?

Answer
In my experience there are two types of Bad Credit Credit Cards. One is a secured card, and the other has a much higher rate of interest. Both can be used to rebuild your credit worthiness after getting back on your feet. Secured credit cards are great for rebuilding your credit. You send the credit card company a pre deposit amount set by the company

Are Visa Secured Credit Cards The Best Secured Credit Cards For You

April 29th, 2011 by admin

Having the ability to use credit cards is very important in todays economy and way of life. However not everyone can get approved for a credit card and these people are frustrated. However what many of them fail to realize is that there are types of credit cards that almost anyone can get approved for, these are called secured credit cards. Never heard of them? Well keep reading to find out how they can help you if you keep getting denied!

The Difference Between Secured and Unsecured Credit Cards

On a regular unsecured credit card the lenders have no collateral against your credit card balance. That means if you default on the credit card they are out the money you borrowed. They can however try and take you to court or send the account into collections which will damage your credit.

On a visa secured credit cards the card will be guaranteed with a cash deposit that you will give to the lender and they will hold in escrow. This cash is then used if the borrower fails to make payments and defaults on their account,if you close your account you get your money back less any balance owed.

Typically the balance on the best secured credit cards and the deposit required is only a few hundred dollars, but the card will function exactly the same as a normal account would. And in alot of cases the lender will switch the account over to a regular one within a years time as long as you a re a good customer, your money will be refunded if they do this for you.

Why Use a Visa Secured Credit Card

The best reason for people to use a secured credit card is that it helps to rebuild credit ratings. Many times after bankruptcies or other financial problems traditional lenders will not lend you money. Its a catch 22 really, you need credit to rebuild your credit but your scores are to low to get it. In situation like this secured credit cards are perfect!

Where Can I Learn More About These Types Of Cards?

To learn more about Secured Credit Cards and read more FREE tips on how to raise your credit scores fast log onto http://www.creditfix123.info/blog

Is it better to get one secured credit card for 2000. Or to get four with 500 from different places?

I want to rebuild my credit…secured cards are the way to go for me it seems. I have 2000 to work with.

Answer
Why don’t you get 2 secured cards with a $1,000 credit line each. After one year of on time payments you will most likely get your $2,000 back and have 2 revolving accounts reporting to your credit file.

I like the programs from Bank of America and Wells Fargo because they have low annual fees, no junk fees and report to all 3 credit bureaus. Also as you improve your credit score you will have access to their other credit products which are competitive.

The other place you can go is your local credit union.

Check out www.bankrate.com for all the secured card programs.

Good Luck

Best Secured Credit Card Offers

April 26th, 2011 by admin

A secured credit card is a card whereby it requires collateral deposited that intern will become the credit for the account.

On of a classic example to use is if you deposited like three hundred dollars in your account you are entitled to be charged up to the equivalent of the same amount.

You are also allowed to increase your deposits to increase your credits worth. If your credit payments are prompt and good the bank may top up your credit line without your requisition for additional credit.

Best secured credit cards can be found on websites under secured credit issues. Most of nation credit union offers the best secured credit card to their registered members.

Low interest rates will be charged and zero yearly fee for the reports. You will also find that most cards vary with the amount to be deposited and you will find that most credit companies will credit your account with three hundred dollar to a maximum amount of five hundred dollars.

Thus your credit limit will either be with a slight percentage higher than the deposited amount or limited to the deposited cash.

Not all banks offer secured credit cards to established business or proprietors, but they always consider beginners. So it is best to advice beginners to use secure credit cards that still remain to be the best option to choose from.

To have the best secured credit card there are some miner problems that you need to check on. You might find that there are some credit companies that are out to exploit extort there clients because of the position they are in.

You can also get that some credit companies will charge a monthly fee for the credit card for the insurance policy.

To avoid this, you should try and gather as much information as you can with regards to there interest rates, the amount of deposit needed and the deposit required.

The main aim of having the best secured credit card goes beyond doing purchases online but a high way to having a good credit history. The best way of to build credit ratings for your secure card is by paying off your monthly debts.

For every thing that you have bought during the month before it’s over due. The best thing with secured cards is that you spend what is within you budget responsibly.

Discover where to find the best secured credit card offers online. Learn how to apply for secured credit cards at my site.

What is the best Secured Credit Card to get?

I’m looking to help bump up my credit score. I would like a card with low annual fee’s and possibly no application or processing fee’s.

But I also heard that it can be just as good to take out a small personal loan and pay it back on time, and that it will do the same thing as a secured card. Is this true?

Thanks!

Answer
The best are offered by Orchard and Citi Bank.
They don’t have the lowest annual fees – but are not scam cards.
Compare both of these to the bank you have a checking account with.

It is best to make a secured loan.
You drop $1,500 to $3,000 into an savings or a cd and make a loan against it.
Tell the bank you plan to do this first to develop your credit.
They don’t care – they are making money.
Make sure they report to all 3 credit bureaus.

A personal loan is extremely hard to get.
You will see interest rates that you didn’t know existed.
Only if you have amazing credit or strong collateral can you get a good deal on a personal loan…

How to Apply for a secured Credit Card

April 23rd, 2011 by admin

Are you planning to apply for a secured credit card? Are you delaying an application because you’re not sure whether you’ll be approved or not? Do you have problems with your credit score? If you answered yes to any of these questions then consider these credit card application tips so you can meet the requirements when you apply for a secured credit card.

You Need to Know Your Credit Score.

Number one tip to remember is that it’s important to know your credit score status. Make sure you take a copy of your credit report. If you have not, get a copy now and see if all the information and charges on your credit report are correct. If it is correct and you find that you have a low credit score, then it is time to start rebuilding your credit score.

Do Not Close Out Your Old Cards.

If you want to apply for a secured credit card or a cash back reward credit card to replace your old credit card, don’t close your old cards. Even if you do not use them due to their high fees and interest rates, you will still want to keep them. Why? The reason is; they will play a significant role in your credit history. Closing out your older cards is the same as erasing the previous parts of your credit history. Instead of closing out the credit cards, just don’t use them. You want to keep them active, but just use them to pay smaller bills or better yet, make a small purchase that you can pay off easily.

Never Max Out Your Credit Limit.

The ideal limit to your credit use should be at 40% and below. Going over 50% of your allotted credit limit is damaging to your credit score. Also, when you max out the credit limit of the card, you are at risk of being charged with much higher fees and interest rates by the card company.

Don’t Send Out More than One Credit Card Application.

Never test your chances of getting approved by submitting credit card applications to more than one Card Company. You’re doing more damage than good to your credit score. Worse yet, if a credit card company rejects your application, it will lower your credit score even more. Have a plan. The most effective way to get approved is to work on your credit score before ever submitting an application.

Whether you are wanting to apply for a secured credit card or business reward credit cards or even a balance transfer credit card with no fee, if you will use these tips you will have success. If your credit is not the best at the moment, you may wish to consider looking for a secured credit card application first.

For more tips and information on how to apply for a secured credit card visit; http://www.NewBestCreditCard.com

Wendell and Charmayne Vannatter are writers and bloggers who frequently write about New Best Credit Cards.
You may also wish to check out their article on Business Reward Credit Cards; How to Choose at, http://www.newbestcreditcard.com/business-reward-credit-cards-how-to-choose

How much should i charge on my secured credit card to get the best credit rating?

How much should i charge on my secured credit card to get the best credit rating?

I can charge up to $500 on my secured credit card and want to know how much should I charge on my secured credit card to get the best credit rating. I need to build credit because I got none.
I’ll be paying it off every month.

I’m wondering how much I should charge on my secured credit card every month out of my $500 maximum.

Answer
Not much. I would keep less then $100 balance on it and only pay the minimum payment every month.

The credit companies want to see that you can handle paying a bill month after month with no lateness.

NEVER EVER EVER have more then $250 on there if your max is $500. But I would keep it at LESS than $100.

I told my neighbor these directions to improve her score and it got dramatically better in six months.

I’ve done this religiously for 10 years and have a 720, and no it will not help you to pay it all off every month as the other person suggested. That may help maintain the score, but not increase it.

Good luck!