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Build your credit early and safely

We’re making building credit faster, safer and easier.

When you open an account with Firstcard, you will get a bank account and a secured credit builder card

What you deposit into your Firstcard bank account is what you can spend

on your Firstcard credit card.
Bank Account
Bank Account Balance
Info
=
secured credit
builder card
Available to spend on Credit Card

Start Building Credit

How it works
1
Move money into
your Firstcard
2
Spend money using Firstcard
3
Build Credit with Autopay

What you deposit is what you can spend

Deposit $100 into Firstcard. Your deposit determines your credit limit.

Example: If you deposit $100, you will have $100 available to spend on your Firstcard.

When you spend $20, $20 is locked from your deposit as security. This ensures that you can pay back the bank at the end of the month.
Simultaneously, our bank partner lends you $20 with 0% interest rate.
This process allows you to build credit without overspending.

Keep your Autopay enabled

The locked $20 from your deposit is automatically used at the end of the month to pay off the $20 lent by the bank.

Firstcard reports your on-time payment to all three major credit bureaus. This will help improve your credit score over time.

Safer Credit Building with Autopay

Autopay is a feature that helps you build your credit score safely. The feature ensures on-time payment by automatically paying off your Firstcard credit card bills using the money you’ve already transferred to your Firstcard.

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Monitor your Credit Score right in the app

Firstcard members can monitor their credit scores directly in the Firstcard app.

We update your credit score every month so you can see clearly how your credit score improves over time.

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Why Firstcard Is a Great Credit card for Credit Building

Building credit can seem stressful and overwhelming without the right tools. Firstcard offers solutions and features designed to help users build credit regardless of origin or credit history. Learn more about why Firstcard is a great credit card for credit building below:
  • You’re Pre-Approved:

    Whether you are looking to build your credit from scratch or increase your credit score, you are automatically pre-approved when you apply for the Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card. Firstcard is an excellent credit card for credit building as it’s easier for those with no credit or poor credit to boost their credit score without extra hurdles.
  • In-App Credit Monitoring:
    ‍    When trying to build your credit, regularly monitoring your credit score is crucial to ensure that you are on the right track. Firstcard is a great credit card for for credit building as we offer convenient in-app credit monitoring which makes staying on the right track easy.
  • Credit Reporting:
    ‍    When you sign up for a credit card for credit building, you want to ensure your responsible usage is being reported to all three major credit bureaus. Firstcard reports to all three: Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion®.
  • 0% APR:
    ‍    Did you know that many traditional credit cards have APR’s as high as 29%? This means that if you are unable to pay off your balance, the total amount owed increases by nearly 30% annually. Firstcard is one of the best credit cards for credit building as there is 0% APR which encourages safe and stress-free credit building.
  • No hard credit check:

    When a credit lender requires a hard credit check, also known as a hard inquiry, the applicant's credit score can temporarily lower by a few points. Too many hard inquiries within a short period can signal financial risk to lenders which can make it hard to obtain a credit card. Firstcard is a better credit card for credit building, as there is no hard inquiry required for approval.
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Security & support you can trust

Safe and Secure
Firstcard uses industry-standard encryption technology to ensure your account and information are safe and secure.
Insured up to $250,000
Money in your Firstcard account is insured up to the maximum amount of $250,000 through our bank partner Regent Bank, a member of FDIC.
Powered by Mastercard
Powered by Mastercard with Zero Liability Fraud Protection guarantee for unauthorized charges.

Questions About Credit Building

Can I withdraw cash from a credit builder card?

It depends. Typically, your deposit in a credit builder card is locked and can not be withdrawn. 

Good news! With Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card, you can withdraw cash easily to your linked bank or via ATM. 

What happens if I miss a payment on my credit builder card?

If you miss a payment on a typical credit builder card, several negative consequences can affect your credit scores. Missing a payment on your credit builder card can lead to:

  1. Late fees
  2. APR on unpaid bills
  3. Credit score drop
  4. Increased interest charges.
  5. Loss of security deposit 

Luckily, if you use Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card, there is no late fees or APR. Firstcard also has an Autopay feature that helps you build your credit score safely. The feature ensures you make on-time payments by automatically paying off your Firstcard credit card bills using the money you’ve already deposited into your Firstcard account every month. We highly recommend you turning on Autopay feature.

If you miss a payment and don't have Autopay enabled, Firstcard will send you reminder emails. If the payment remains unpaid despite multiple reminders, we are obligated to report it to the credit bureaus, which may negatively impact your credit score.

How much money should I add to my credit builder card?

The amount of money you should add to your credit builder card depends on your financial situation and spending habits. With Firstcard Secured Credit Builder Card, the money you deposit is the amount you can spend.

Ultimately, the goal is to use your credit builder card responsibly by making on-time payments. This will help you gradually improve your credit score.

Is a credit builder card a secured credit card?

A credit builder card can be either a secured or unsecured credit card, but it is often associated with secured credit cards.

Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card is a secured credit card that helps you build credit. A secured credit card is a credit card that requires a cash deposit and is designed to help people build their credit score. Firstcard does not extend a credit line. What you deposit is what you can spend. This unique approach encourages healthy spending habits while protecting you from overspending. This also means that you don’t need to worry about the credit utilization ratio as it does not apply to Firstcard users.

By using Firstcard for purchases and making timely payments, your on-time credit activities are reported to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion®) and you can improve your credit score over time.

What do I need to apply for a Credit Builder Card?

To apply for a credit builder card, you'll typically need the following:

  1. Personal Information: This includes your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) if you're a non-U.S. citizen.
  2. Proof of Income: Some credit builder cards may require proof of income to ensure you have the means to make payments. This could be in the form of pay stubs, bank statements, or other financial documents.
  3. Identification: A government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport, is usually required to verify your identity.
  4. Bank Account Information: Some credit builder cards, especially those that are secured, may require a bank account to fund a security deposit.
  5. Minimum Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a credit builder card.

Meeting these requirements can help you get started on your journey to building or improving your credit with a credit builder card.

To apply for a Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card, you’ll need the following:

  1. Be at least 18 years old
  2. Have a legal U.S. residential address
  3. Have a valid government-issued ID
  4. Have an SSN. If you don’t have an SSN, you’ll need to submit 1) a passport 2) a Visa or an ITIN

our users love us

Easy to use credit builder card

The no-overspending risk and no annual fees were what drew me to Firstcard. The bonus cashback feature is a fun addition, and it's helped me save money effortlessly on everyday purchases.

Katherine K.
Perfect for international students & immigrants!

This app is great to build credit and not worrying about overspending. I recommend this to college students who are in need of building strong credit.

Boris M.
The best way to build credit without an SSN

As an immigrant, I struggled to find a credit card. Firstcard was the perfect solution with their no-SSN requirement. Now, I can build credit and earn rewards with every purchase.

Hana P.
Reliable and user-friendly!

Moving to a new country comes with its challenges, but Firstcard made building my financial life here so much easier. The no-SSN requirement was crucial for me. The app is user-friendly and helps me keep track of my spending and savings. Firstcard has truly been such a reliable financial partner for me as an immigrant.

Amara A.
Firstcard makes my financial life abroad much easier

Managing my finances in a new country was a major concern, but Firstcard made it so much easier. The support team is always responsive and helpful, and I can ask questions and receive help in Spanish which is amazing!

Paolo G
Easy to use credit builder card

The no-overspending risk and no annual fees were what drew me to Firstcard. The bonus cashback feature is a fun addition, and it's helped me save money effortlessly on everyday purchases.

Katherine K.
Perfect for international students & immigrants!

This app is great to build credit and not worrying about overspending. I recommend this to college students who are in need of building strong credit.

Boris M.
The best way to build credit without an SSN

As an immigrant, I struggled to find a credit card. Firstcard was the perfect solution with their no-SSN requirement. Now, I can build credit and earn rewards with every purchase.

Hana P.
Reliable and user-friendly!

Moving to a new country comes with its challenges, but Firstcard made building my financial life here so much easier. The no-SSN requirement was crucial for me. The app is user-friendly and helps me keep track of my spending and savings. Firstcard has truly been such a reliable financial partner for me as an immigrant.

Amara A.
Firstcard makes my financial life abroad much easier

Managing my finances in a new country was a major concern, but Firstcard made it so much easier. The support team is always responsive and helpful, and I can ask questions and receive help in Spanish which is amazing!

Paolo G

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FTC

Firstcard is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Regent Bank, Member FDIC. Firstcard credit cards are issued by Regent Bank, pursuant to a license from Mastercard. Valid for 18+ and subject to account approval. FDIC deposit insurance up to $250,000 per qualified customer account on a "pass-through" basis; FDIC insurance only covers failure of insured depository institutions. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through FDIC deposit insurance to apply.

Forbes Featured Partner:  https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/best/international-students/

Time Featured Partner:  https://time.com/personal-finance/article/best-credit-cards-for-students/

CNN Featured Partner:  https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/money/best-credit-cards-college-students

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Valid for 18+ and subject to account approval. Pre-approved means that you have met the initial criteria for this credit card; however, your application may be rejected if any of the following apply: you provided incorrect information or we are unable to verify your identity under federal law; you are under 18 years old.

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Merchant Cashback: The amount of cashback is determined by the transaction and participating merchants. See firstcard.app/cashback-policy.

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Random Cashback: Users will receive up to 10% of random cashback on qualifying purchases. A qualifying purchase is a purchase that has been processed and accepted by the merchant and has settled in the entrant's Firstcard account. This purchase may, but not necessarily, include tips, holds, and deposits related to the qualifying purchase. Additionally, the following transaction categories are NOT qualifying purchases and will not be eligible to earn entries into random cashback: ATM withdrawals, wire transfers or cash transfers, purchasing gift cards or other cash equivalents, gambling or online casino, peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers, such as Venmo, Cash App, transfers between Firstcard users, or similar services, gambling, bill payment, prepaid phone recharge and any other transaction types that we may deem ineligible at our sole discretion. See firstcard.app/random-cashback-policy.

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The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") for the Deposit Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of November 7, 2024. . For cardholders without an SSN, credit monitoring and APY features are unavailable. For ITIN cardholders, APY feature is available; however, credit monitoring remains unavailable. No minimum balance is required. Firstcard Standard members are eligible for 0.75% APY. Firstcard+ members are eligible for 2.00% APY. Firstcard Premium members are eligible for 4.00% APY. Annual fees and other fees may impact your yield.

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Firstcard Premium customers will earn an additional 1% unlimited cashback on all eligible credit card purchases. Exclusions apply. Cashback rewards are not earned on ATM withdrawals, P2P transfers, purchases of gift cards or other cash equivalents, and certain other types of transactions as determined by Firstcard. Cashback is awarded within 7 days of the eligible transaction posting to your account. No minimum balance required to earn cashback.

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Data pulled from Chase Bank as of January 10, 2025: https://www.chase.com/content/dam/chase-ux/ratesheets/pdfs/rdfl1.pdf

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Data pulled from Bank of America as of January 10, 2025: https://www.bankofamerica.com/deposits/bank-account-interest-rates/

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Data pulled from Wells Fargo as of January 10, 2025: https://www.wellsfargo.com/checking/prime/

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Data pulled from Discover It Secured Credit Card as of January 10, 2025: https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/secured/

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Data pulled Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card from as of January 10, 2025: https://creditcards.chase.com/cash-back-credit-cards/freedom/unlimited

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Data pulled from Bank of America Secured Credit Card as of January 10, 2025: https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/products/secured-credit-card/

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According to the FDIC, the national average interest rate on savings accounts is 0.42% APY (as of December 16, 2024). https://www.fdic.gov/resources/bankers/national-rates/.