Monday, August 11, 2008

In Some Cases, Secured Credit Card May Be Useful

You can' t stop noticing the number of advertisements for credit card offers these days.



So, why should you bother with a secured credit card deal? It can be enticing to sign up as they offer attractive rates and appealing incentives. In some cases, secured credit card may be useful. Without credit report, you obviously find it almost impossible to secure a card. If the finance companies often reject your application, then you lose the prospect of getting one. If the court declares you as an insolvent, what are your chances of getting one?


Nevertheless, don' t let it refrain from obtaining a credit card. As you can see, it boils down to your personal financial situation. You can opt for secured credit cards in such circumstances. The financial providers will require you to pledge your saving account with at least 500 dollars as collateral. So, how does it work? Some of them may require higher deposits. This means that the card issuers will give a full credit line according to your account balance.


Your credit limit depends on the sum of saving you have. Should you default your payment, you will lose your saving. You will feel more comfortable having a credit card this way without worrying about over spending. Therefore, to obtain a credit card, you must have a saving account or a certificate of deposit with a minimum of 500 dollars. Usually the finance companies don' t accept standard card application if you have bad credit. They assess your application only based on your savings and not your credit history. So the other option is to apply for secured credit cards.


Being a college student, you know that obtaining a credit card is challenging because you need to establish your credit. Therefore, most college students normally choose secured credit cards that demand no credit report. You can' t get a regular one if you cannot present your credit history report. Bankruptcy can prevent you from getting a normal card. It is easier to obtain approval compared to other kinds of cards. The ideal way is to apply for a secured credit card.


To determine the best deals, you check the offers from Visa, American Express, MasterCard, and Discover on the Internet. However, not all the offers are the same. Doing online research can give you with valuable information about their offers. So, you need to evaluate their offers first before you submit your application. What are their interest rates? Here is a potential list of items you should consider. Do they charge any extra fees such as an application fee?


The best secured credit card should meet all your needs. Do they report to the three credit reporting bureaus about your application? Ideally, choose those that come with low interest rates and without application fees. This will upgrade your credit score in the future provided you pay on time. Make sure that the card issuers report to the credit reporting bureaus. This will further help you with your application for regular cards.


Whether you are a bankrupt, a student or a poor credit paymaster, secured credit cards are better choices even though you have a limit on how you spend your money. You need time and effort in diligently investigating and comparing different types of secured credit card deals. Best of all, you have a better money management because of the restriction.

No comments: