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Are Secured Credit Cards the Right Move for Subprime Borrowers?

Choosing Credit Card

We often hear from financial experts that a great first step when rebuilding your credit is to land a secured credit card. But is this really the case? Can secured credit cards really help to rebuild a not-so-stellar credit?

As it stands, there are more than 70 million Americans with credit scores low enough to qualify them as subprime borrowers. Because of this, many of these Americans will turn to subprime credit cards, also known as secured credit cards.

The Basics of Secured Credit Cards

Secured credit cards often come with very low limits and strict regulations regarding their use. For example, a secured credit card requires that the cardholder “secure” the card with cash. The cash that is secured for the card equals the card’s credit limit, thereby allowing the credit card company to cover the card’s credit limit in the event that the customer does not pay the bill. If the customer pays the bill, however, the cash is kept in a secure account and not used.

Subprime Credit Card Restrictions

There are some restrictions on secured credit cards as a result of the new federal credit card legislation, including placing a cap on the amount of fees that the credit card company can charge the cardholder in the first year (25 percent), but for the most part credit card issuers can continue to charge surprisingly high interest rates and fees.

Subprime Credit Cards still a Smart Financial Move

Even with the high interest rates and fees imposed by creditors, secured credit cards are still a smart move for individuals looking to improve their credit score. A recent study conducted by TransUnion and commissioned by Citizens for Equal Access to Credit followed 365,000 subprime borrowers over a two-year period and found that subprime credit cards were successful in helping consumers rebuild their credit.

In fact, during the study’s two-year period, 37 percent of subprime borrowers saw an increase in their credit score by using subprime credit cards. About one in five subprime cardholders saw an increase of more than 40 points to their credit score, which took many of them to near-prime, prime or even above-prime credit scores.

The Top Three Reasons why Secured Credit Card may be Right for you

Choosing Credit Card

A secured credit, once upon a time, was the kiss of death for consumers. It was also quite unnecessary in most cases, as consumer credit was flowing like water.

However, given the state of the economy and the state of many consumers’ credit scores, secured credit cards are making a comeback, and for plenty of good reasons.

If you are new to the credit card game, or if you’re looking for an easy way to begin rebuilding your bruised credit history then you may want to consider a secured credit card.

A secured credit card account requires that the account user open a savings account, of sorts, where the creditor will hold the funds that will act as collateral on the card. This money is the creditor’s insurance policy, although if you loyally pay your bills on time the money will remain there, unused.

Why Secured Credits are Useful in Today’s Economy:

• They provide you with a credit card – Credit cards are convenient and practical, and are often the desired payment method for things such as airline travel and online purchases. A secured credit card acts in the same fashion as a traditional credit card, thereby enabling consumers to charge their purchases – not to exceed their credit limit, of course – and repay them each month.
• They provide you with a payment history – One of the best ways to begin building or rebuilding your credit is to simply begin establishing a payment history. In that sense, a secured credit card works just like a traditional credit card, thereby enabling consumers to begin boosting their credit score.
• They provide you with an interest-bearing savings account – Once you have developed a proven track record of timely payments, many secured credit card companies can begin paying you interest on your secured funds. For many consumers on a budget, this is a great way to build their credit and keep money tucked away in a savings account at the same time.

Starting Over after your Bankruptcy: What you can do to Help Begin Repairing your Credit

Credit Repair

First things first: we all know that bankruptcy can severely damage your credit score. Luckily, however, it doesn’t have to be a life-long sentence!

You can begin rebuilding your credit rating almost immediately after you file for bankruptcy, provided you have recognized your credit mistakes in the past and have learned from them. A good place to start is consumer credit counseling classes. These classes can help you properly manage your monthly finances and budget, and can also teach you ways in which you can responsibly handle your debts and rebuild your credit rating.

Secured Credit Cards

A great first step is to apply for a secured credit card. A secured credit card essentially means that you send the credit card company a certain amount of money that they hold in a separate account. The amount you send generally matches your credit limit. For example, if you have a credit card with a $500 credit limit you would have to send the credit card company $500 to secure the card.

If you pay the bill on time, your $500 remains in your account. If, however, you fail to pay the credit card bill, the credit card company simply takes the money out of your account to settle the debt. The credit card company will then likely cancel your account, so it is well worth your time to remain responsible when dealing with a secured credit card.

It is also important to remember that a secured credit card can affect your credit rating, so always pay your balance in full every month so that you can begin rebuilding your credit rating.

Unsecured Credit Cards

Another option may be a credit card with a low credit limit. Many people can successfully get credit cards while still in bankruptcy, but it is important to remember that these cards often come with high fees and equally high interest rates. In other words, pay off your balance in full each month to avoid paying astronomical interest rates and to begin building a positive credit history.

A bankruptcy is certainly going to blemish your credit score, but you can begin working toward a brighter credit future if you act now!

Facts about Secured Credit Cards

Credit Card Types

Credit cards are a convenience that many Americans have come to appreciate. However, given the financial crisis and the looming recession, many once credit-worthy Americans are now struggling to re-build their credit after difficult financial times sidelined their credit score and their ability to obtain credit.

For those of us who are struggling with our credit worthiness, secured credit cards may be the answer. It is important, however, to educate ourselves on both the advantages and disadvantages of secured credit cards before applying for one.

How Secured Credit Cards Work

A secured credit card is essentially a credit card with a security deposit. The credit card works in a similar manner to a traditional credit card; however, the credit card holder must first deposit money into a special account that is equal to 50 to 150 percent of the card’s credit limit.

The credit card holder then uses the credit card as he or she would any standard credit card, and pays the bill in a similar fashion. The only difference is that the creditor has a cash reserve to pay the credit card should the cardholder default.

As the cardholder continues to pay the card every month and make responsible purchases, the creditor may raise his or her credit limit. For cardholders seeking a higher credit limit, the creditor simply requests a larger security deposit.

Establish and Spruce up your Credit Rating

For those consumers with little or no credit, or for those with a poor credit history, a secured credit card may be the ideal solution for rebuilding credit. A secured credit card provides consumers with the opportunity to show creditors that they are working towards a more financially sound future.

A secured credit card enables anyone of legal age to establish a credit history; therefore, they are ideal for young adults who have no credit history. Others who may find secured credit cards to be useful are those in bankruptcy or those who have had their bankruptcy recently discharged.

Establishing a credit history with a secured credit card may very well be a responsible step towards a better financial position.

Disadvantages to Secured Credit Cards

While there are few disadvantages, it is important to remember that secured credit cards typically carry a high interest rate, although for many consumers with poor or no credit, this is often an accepted trade-off.