Do you have bad credit or no credit at all? Do you still need a credit card to help improve your credit report? Don’t worry. There are several companies that offer credit cards to people with less than perfect credit. If you don’t have perfect credit, but need a credit card, check these out.

1. Orchard Bank Classic MasterCard. If you are notorious for making late payments, this is the card for you. You can get emails and text messages to remind you about upcoming payments. Transactions are also updated so you can keep track of your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2. Tribute Gold MasterCard. Designed for people with bad credit. You’ll pay a slightly higher interest rate, but this card will help you get back on track. You’ll also be approved in a matter of minutes.

3. Vision Premier Prepaid Visa. Do you think that there is no way you can get a credit card with a credit report like yours? Get this card if you are worried. There is no credit check or bank account needed with this card. The prepaid credit card is the perfect way to give you good credit card habits before getting a different card.

4. Applied Bank Secured Visa. This card has it all. You’ll get a rate of 9.99% APR. Guess what? The rate won’t even change if your late on a payment. You get to choose your credit limit up to $5,000, with a minimum deposit of $200. There is no credit requirement. It gets even better…this card reports to the credit bureaus. This card is perfect for helping you build your credit.

5. Access Visa. You’ll get a quick decision when applying for this card. If you have bad credit or no credit, you need to give this card a try. It also reports to the credit bureaus.

It isn’t a problem to have bad credit or no credit anymore. Lenders are becoming more willing to lend to people just like you. These cards are designed to help you get back on your feet. Give these cards a try and see your credit improve.

It can be so frustrating to get a credit card if you don’t have any credit. There are some credit cards that you can get with no credit, but these are not ideal. With these types of cards, you’ll pay a higher interest rate and not get as many features. Try and build your credit before applying for a credit card. Here’s how.

To Start Building Your Credit

1. Get a bank account. Bank accounts go a long way in building your credit. Here’s the good news too…you don’t really need credit to open a savings or checking account. Your bank accounts will show lenders that you are responsible and stable with your finances.

2. Employment. Lenders like to see a strong employment history. They don’t like to see several periods of unemployment. This causes them to worry about the financial risk you’ll be when you aren’t employed. Get a job and stick with it.

3. Where you live. Have you lived in the same old place for a long time? Good thing. Lenders look to see how often you move around. The longer you live in one area, the more stable you are in the lender’s eyes. They also look to see whether you rent or own. Try not to move around a lot while trying to build your credit.

4. Utilities. If you live with roommates, put the utilities in your name. You’ll help establish your credit just by paying the electric, gas or water bill.

Those are some ways that can help you establish credit. Once you have established a little bit of credit, it is important to know where to start applying for credit cards.

Where To Apply For A Credit Card

1. Start with your bank. Your bank is a great way to start if you are applying for a credit card for the first time. Your bank is able to view your transaction history and see how well you manage your money. You have an established relationship with them already. Utilize that and get a credit card with them first.

2. Department store card. Department stores usually offer you a percentage off your purchase to save money when you apply for and use their credit card. Generally, this isn’t a smart idea because you get lured into the initial discount but don’t realize how high the interest rate is. However, if you are smart with your money and are trying to build credit, this may be the perfect place to start. Try and make a small purchase every month and pay it off before it is due. This is a great way to build your credit.

3. Secured credit card. A secured credit card is much easier to obtain than an unsecured credit card. A secured credit card is one that is tied to your bank account. It gives the credit company access to use your assets in case you fail to make your payments. If you are making purchases wisely, this could be a good route for you.

As you can see, there are several things that you can do to establish credit. You don’t have to have a long credit report to apply for a credit card. However, you will want somewhat of a credit report before applying. This will give you more options to choose from and keep your rate lower.

You can’t really do much these days without a credit card. Even if you plan on using cash at the groceries store or to buy gas, you may still find yourself in a rut without a credit card. It can be really difficult to get a credit card if you have bad credit. A secured credit card may be just what you need to re-establish your credit.

A secured credit card is one that is tied to a cash collateral. In other words, you can only put as much money on the credit card as you have in cash. Say you deposit $1000 into the account. You can only put $1000 on your credit card. The nice thing is that you can add money to your account as you go and you’ll never spend more money than you have.

On our website, you can find a list of several different issuers who have secured credit cards available. You can also get a secured credit card through your credit union or bank. More than half of the credit unions around the country offer secured credit cards to their members. When choosing a secured credit card, it is important to shop around. Choose a card that doesn’t require an application fee. Also make sure that your collateral isn’t going to be swallowed up by monthly maintenance fees, annual fees or application fees.

Some banks are moving away from secured credit cards and towards unsecured credit cards. They are trying to lure people with bad credit into getting an unsecured credit card with a lower limit and outrageous interest rates and fees. If you have bad credit, stick with a secured credit card. This will get you back on track the safe way and you’ll be able to rebuild your credit with your own money.

It is important to understand that, as with all credit cards, there are good companies and bad companies - make sure you shop around. Choose a card that is going to help your rebuild your credit and manage your money. Some companies out there offer secured credit cards, but they are actually a disadvantage to you. Make sure your secured credit card is going to benefit you and your finances. Get a secured credit card that isn’t full of fees and reports to the three major credit bureaus. Without having them report, you are losing a key component to rebuilding your credit.

As with any credit card, you need to use your secured credit card wisely. Make a few purchases each month and be sure to pay off your credit card completely at the end of the month. Rebuilding your credit has never been easier than with a secured credit card. Shop around and choose the best card for you. Be smart with your card and use it responsibly and you’ll have good credit in no time.

If you know anything about Applied Bank, then you know they are committed to customer service. Applied Bank™ is a leader in providing secured credit cards to people with little or no credit histories and also offers other services like savings accounts, checking accounts and more. The Applied Bank Secured Visa Gold card is no exception to the bank’s commitment to serve its customers.

For starters, how does an interest rate of 9.99% sound? This low rate is fixed and remains at 9.99% even if you make a late payment! The secured visa card lets you manage your account online 24 hours a day and gives you the flexibility to choose your credit limit up to $5,000. There are no income or credit checks required when you apply for the Applied Bank Gold Secured card and there is an annual fee of $50. Applied Bank™ does require that you open an FDIC-insured deposit account with them at the time of application. There is a minimum deposit amount of $200 when you open your Applied Bank™ account. You can also enroll in Applied Advantage® for access to savings at hundreds of retail partners.

Using your secured credit card from Applied Bank™ can help you establish a good credit rating with responsible use. Using the card can also help rebuild your credit if you have had past credit problems and do not qualify for an unsecured credit card. Use the links above for access to all the terms and conditions for the credit card or to apply online through our website.