Low Credit Score and the Price You Pay
Low interest rates are useless to the millions of consumers with less-than-outstanding credit scores. They end up paying a high premium when applying for credit cards.
This comes at a time when the number of Americans with poor credit is growing. Most lenders check borrowers’ FICO credit score, which ranges from 300 to 850, to determine whether to approve them for a credit and at what terms. In general, borrowers with a FICO below 720 will end up with higher interest rates.
Today, nearly a third of consumers have a FICO score in the 550 to 699 range (according to data from FICO). And nearly half of consumers have a FICO score that’s lower than 700.
Over the past year, qualifying for a credit card has become easier for consumers with poor credit. But the rates they get are very high, higher than for consumers with near-perfect scores.
The borrowers with credit score lower than 719 and the borrowers with even lower scores who want a credit card might consider a secured credit card. To get a secured card, a borrower gives the credit card issuer a security deposit, usually at least $200, which establishes a line of credit.
This security deposit is a kind of warranty for a credit lender and eliminates the risk of running up credit card debt because you pay for it upfront. Even if you don’t have big bucks in the bank, simply having a small savings account can usually get you a secured loan.
Thus secured deposit makes possible for lenders charge considerably lower interest rates in comparison with the regular credit cards that exist for the borrowers with unattractive credit history. And the borrowers are able to boost their credit scores on fair terms.
Latest Secured Credit Card News
Secured credit cards are credit cards that are supported by a money deposit of about $200-$1000 paid upfront. This amount is used as collateral for issuers and usually equals to the future credit line. This type of card can be extremely welcome if you are a beginner at credit issues or for some reason have to rebuild your credit almost from scratch.
Are you new to finance and want to find out what to start building your credit history with? Or maybe you’ve had hard times under your belt and now have to rebuild your credit score bit by bit? Then, probably you’ve already stumbled on some information about secured credit cards and prepaid cards.
Secured credit cards have been increasing in popularity over the last several years, and for good reason. For folks who have no credit history, limited credit history, or a poor credit score, a secured card offers a path toward financial wellness and a healthy credit score.
Anyone with a credit card, debit card, prepaid card, or secured credit card will be able to pay for transit tickets in London and other major cities without having to deal with paper tickets or cash, thanks to innovative new payment solutions from Visa.
Young people often get a bad reputation for being irresponsible with money, but a recent survey shows that in fact, today’s young folks may actually be savvier and more responsible with credit than their parents.
