How do credit-building cards work?

Whether you’re a student and this is your first card, you have little to no credit, or you want to repair your credit history, a secured credit card is a great way to build your credit.

Secured credit cards let you spend just like you would with a traditional credit card. You make a refundable security deposit, usually $300 to $5,000, and that becomes your credit limit. Spend within your limit and pay your bill when it’s due to build your credit.

Do credit-building cards offer rewards?

Some secured credit cards offer rewards. For example, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Secured Visa® Card allows you to earn points in various everyday categories while the U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card gives you the ability to earn cash back on categories you choose each quarter.

What do I need to know before selecting a credit-building card?

A secured credit card should be part of an overall plan to learn about personal finance, including how your credit score works and how it can impact your financial future.

You must be 18 or older to apply.

U.S. Bank offers a selection of credit-building cards

U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card

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U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Secured Visa® Card

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U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa Card

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Disclosures

The creditor and issuer of these cards is U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to separate licenses from Visa U.S.A. Inc., or Mastercard International Incorporated or American Express, and the card is available to United States residents only. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. American Express is a federally registered service mark of American Express.

The Contactless Symbol and Contactless Indicator are trademarks owned by and used with the permission of EMVCo, LLC.