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Citi® Secured Mastercard®
welcome bonus
N/A
credit brand
Mastercard®
rewards rate
N/A
intro apr
N/A
regular apr
27.49% variable
foreign transaction fee
3%
credit needed
Fair/Bad/Limited/No Credit
annual fee
$0
rate
4.6

Pros

Helps Build Credit: The Citi® Secured Mastercard® reports to all three major credit bureaus, assisting users in establishing or rebuilding their credit.

No Annual Fee: This card has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for cardholders.

Flexible Credit Line: Users can choose their credit line, ranging from $200 to $2,500, based on the security deposit provided.

Free Access to FICO® Score: Cardholders can monitor their credit progress with free online access to their FICO® Score.

Cons

Security Deposit Required: To open an account, users must provide a security deposit equal to their desired credit line.

No Rewards Program: The card does not offer a rewards program for its users.

No Introductory APR: The Citi® Secured Mastercard® does not provide an introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers.

High Regular APR: The card has a variable APR of 27.49%, which can be costly if cardholders carry a balance.

Why Choose It

The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a strong choice for individuals looking to build or improve their credit without the burden of an annual fee. While it lacks a rewards program and introductory APR offers, its primary focus on credit-building, flexible credit line options, and free access to FICO® Score make it an attractive option for users who prioritize improving their credit scores. The security deposit requirement may be a drawback for some, but the card's overall benefits, including no annual fee and credit reporting to major bureaus, make it an appealing choice for those seeking to establish or rebuild a strong credit foundation.

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compare Cards

cover/name/rate
Welcome bonus
Annual fee
rewards rate
intro apr
regular apr
foreign transaction fee
credit needed
credit brand
Citi® Secured Mastercard®

Citi® Secured Mastercard®

4.6
N/A

N/A

$0

$0

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

27.49% variable

27.49% variable

3%

3%

Fair/Bad/Limited/No Credit

Fair/Bad/Limited/No Credit

Mastercard®

Mastercard®

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

4.5
N/A

N/A

$0

$0

Earn unlimited 1% cash back for your business on every purchase

Earn unlimited 1% cash back for your business on every purchase

N/A

N/A

29.99% variable

29.99% variable

0%

0%

Fair/Limited

Fair/Limited

Capital One

Capital One

CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®

CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®

4.2
65K after $4K spend in first 6 months

65K after $4K spend in first 6 months

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99

Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants, at gas stations and eligible American Airlines purchases

Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants, at gas stations and eligible American Airlines purchases

N/A

N/A

21.24%–28.49% variable

21.24%–28.49% variable

0%

0%

Good/Excellent

Good/Excellent

Mastercard®

Mastercard®

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