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How to Accelerate your Credit-Building and get a Credit Card

How to Accelerate your Credit-Building and get a Credit Card

• Updated: October 06, 2023

The combination of the Self Credit Builder Account with the Secured Visa Card can be an excellent choice. With Self, you open a Credit Builder Account paired with a Secured Visa card.  This combination can give you access to credit while diversifying your credit mix (types of credit accounts), which may speed up improving your credit score without the need for a hard credit inquiry.

  • No credit inquiry
  • No security deposit

 

Most Secured Credit Cards require a security deposit, similar to a security deposit when you rent an apartment.  The Self card has a new way to accomplish this that also helps enhance credit building.  

Here’s How It Works

First, you open a Self Credit Builder Account and make monthly payments into that account starting at $25/month.  As this builds up, it takes the place of a security deposit.  Then, after you build up to $100 in the credit builder account and make 3 on-time monthly payments, you can get the Self Visa Secured Card.

The Credit Builder Account is set up as a secured installment loan.  That way, when you make the payments into the account, Self is reporting to the credit bureaus that you’re paying down a loan account.  At the same time, you’re building up the security deposit for the secured credit card.  Once you have the card, Self will report to the credit bureaus that you’re maintaining a credit account.  Two different account types that work together, as long as you keep the accounts in good standing and make your payments on time. 

Self - Credit Builder Account + Secured Visa® Credit Card

Start with a Credit Builder Account, which is a loan in a bank-held Certificate of Deposit that you pay off in monthly installments. Choose the plan that works for you.
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Bad/Fair Credit
  • Excellent Benefits & KEY FEATURES

    • Start with a Credit Builder Account, which is a loan in a bank-held Certificate of Deposit that you pay off in monthly installments. Choose the plan that works for you.
    • In order to successfully open the Self Credit Builder Account, submission of a one-time non-refundable $9 admin fee is required.
    • Each on-time monthly payment gets reported to all 3 credit bureaus, builds credit history, and adds to your savings.
    • Make at least 3 monthly payments on time, have $100 or more in savings progress in your account, and be in good standing.* You'll automatically be eligible for the Self Visa® Credit Card, without a credit check.
    • Your savings progress from your Credit Builder Account acts as your refundable security deposit.

Getting More!

Maintaining a favorable account status can open doors to potential credit limit enhancements as time goes on. When you consistently make monthly payments on your Credit Builder Account, you have the option to raise your credit limit, with the maximum cap set at $3,000. Additionally, Self takes into consideration individuals who have held a Self Visa® Secured Card for six months or more when assessing eligibility for unsecured credit limit increases.

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