What Credit Cards Solutions do you have After a Bankruptcy Situation?

Choosing to file bankruptcy can be a decision that relieves some of the stress and pressure of being in debt and unable to pay your bills. When it comes to finances, bankruptcy can give you a clean slate and a fresh start to a new life. However, your credit score will drop as a result, and although you are ready and willing to get a jumpstart on rebuilding your credit, you may find it difficult, at first, getting approved. In the meantime, you may need to resort to credit cards after bankruptcy, that are designed for those with low credit ratings, to get started on your path to a better credit score.

Best Unsecured Credit Cards After Bankruptcy

You may be able to qualify for an unsecured credit card after bankruptcy, which means you won’t need a security deposit to get the card. However, because these cards are typically designed for lower credit ratings, make sure you are aware of the terms that come with carrying the card. The following cards are among the best unsecured credit cards you can get after bankruptcy.

Milestone® Mastercard®

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intro purchase APR no intro offer	regular APRsee terms

good credit / fair credit required

Greater access to credit than before - $700 credit limit

Get a Mastercard accepted online, in store and in app

Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.

$0 liability for unauthorized use

Access your account online or from your mobile device 24/7

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The Milestone® Mastercard® with Free Choice of Card Image is also a popular choice for rebuilding credit. You can even see if you prequalify without it affecting your credit score, which can save you an inquiry that can sometimes affect your score as well. The APR on purchases is 24.9%, and the annual fee is $75 the first year and then $99 each year afterward.

Advantages of the card

• Poor credit is okay
• Pre-qualification

Disadvantages of the card

• High annual fee
• High APR of 24.9%

Bottom Line

The benefit of this card is you can see if you prequalify first, so you don’t waste a credit inquiry on your credit report if you don’t end up qualifying for the card. The APR and the annual fees are high with this card, as well, and you have a better chance if your credit is higher, to qualify for a lower APR and lower annual fee with the Credit One card. Still, if you don’t qualify for other cards, this card is another solid unsecured option to use while you build your credit rating.

First Premier Bank Credit Card

The credit cards with First Premier Bank are popular among people with poor credit who don’t typically qualify for other unsecured credit cards. This card has an APR for purchases of 36%, a one-time processing fee of $75, and an annual fee that is dependent on the credit limit and deducted from the available credit when you get the card. For instance, if you get a credit limit of $300, your annual fee will be $75 the first year and then $45 each year after that. You would get a card with a credit limit of $225. This fee can be as much as $125 per year if you qualify for a credit limit of $500.

Advantages of First Premier Bank Credit Card

• Poor credit is okay
• No security deposit

Disadvantages of First Premier Bank Credit Card

• High annual fee
• High APR
• Processing fee

Bottom Line

It’s likely that if you have been denied other unsecured cards, that you will qualify for this one, which can help you move forward to improve your credit. However, this card has some of the most expensive fees and interest rates that you will find with a credit card. You will find that, although secured credit cards require a security deposit, the fees and APR will be lower, and when you close the account, you get your security deposit back. With the First Premier Bank Credit Card, however, you won’t get any of the fees you’ve paid for the card back, and it could end up costing you a great deal of money.

Best Secured Credit Cards After Bankruptcy

After bankruptcy, you may not want a secured credit card simply because you usually have to have, at least, $200 to get started. However, you will find that some of the best cards for rebuilding credit are secured, and they often carry lower fees and interest rates. Plus, you can use them just as you would use any credit card, and they look exactly the same, so you don’t have to worry about retailers or anyone else knowing you are rebuilding your credit. The following are some of the most recommended secured credit cards after bankruptcy.

Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Classic Secured Credit Card

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intro purchase APR N.A.	regular APR13.99%

bad credit / no credit required

$39 annual fee

Credit lines available from $200 to $5,000! Low fixed 13.99% interest rate on purchases - with no penalty rate!

No minimum credit score requirements! We invite all credit types to apply! No processing or application fees!

Helps strengthen your credit with responsible card use. Reports to three national bureaus

Fast, easy application process. Choose your credit line and open your Personal Savings Deposit Account to secure your line.

See additional Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Classic Secured Credit Card details

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Because of the high APRs that are often associated with credit cards after bankruptcy, you might want to consider a secured credit card like the Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Classic Secured Credit Card, which comes with one of the lowest APRs you’ll find with any card designed to improve credit. This card requires a deposit of at least $200, which is held in an interest-bearing savings account while your account is open. The annual fee is $39, and the APR is a fixed rate of 13.99% (F), which means you don’t have to worry about the rate increasing or changing. There are also no credit checks with this card.

Advantages of Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Classic Secured Credit Card

• Low fixed APR
• Earn interest on deposit
• No credit checks

Disadvantages of the Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Classic Secured Credit Card

• Annual fee

Bottom Line

The only disadvantage of this card is the annual fee, which is still lower than the fee for other credit cards. For consumers who carry balances from month to month, the low interest rate can help save money, and your security deposit earns interest while you rebuild your credit score. Plus, there are no credit checks, so you are essentially guaranteed the card. If you’re looking for a low-interest rate credit card after bankruptcy, you won’t find many that can compete with this card.

Capital One Secured MasterCard

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intro purchase APR no intro offer	regular APR24.99 - 24.99% (V)
intro BT APR 24.99%	no BT fee

bad credit / no credit required

no annual fee

bad credit or no credit 

25 days grace period

$49-$200 security deposit

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Capital One is a leader in credit cards, and its secured card is one of its most popular. This card requires a deposit of $49, $99, or $200, depending on your creditworthiness, but you can qualify for a card with a limit of, at least $200, even with a lower deposit. You can increase your limit by adding to your deposit, but you can also receive credit line increases from Capital One without making additional deposits as your credit improves. This card has no annual fee, no balance transfer fee, and no foreign transaction fee, making it one of the best no-fee secured credit cards available. The APR on purchases and balance transfers is 24.99%.

Advantages of the Capital One Secured MasterCard

• No annual fee, balance transfer, or foreign transaction fee
• Credit limit increases without deposit

Disadvantages of the Capital One Secured MasterCard

• High APR

Bottom Line

Although the APR is high with this card, it’s one of the only cards you’ll find after bankruptcy that has no annual fee, no balance transfer fee, and no foreign transaction fee. In fact, it’s difficult to find a card without these fees even with excellent credit. You can get around the high APR if you make sure you pay your balance in full each month, and then you can use the card and rebuild your credit, basically without it costing you anything. Except for the interest rate, this is one of the least expensive cards available for poor or bad credit.

Quick Tips for Rebuilding Credit After Bankruptcy

1. Keep in mind that your credit won’t improve overnight, but you can get your score moving in the right direction after bankruptcy, with a few quick and easy tips.
2. Get a free credit report. You are legally entitled to a free credit report from each of the credit bureaus every year through AnnualCreditReport.com. After your bankruptcy, it’s important to examine your reports for errors and have them corrected immediately. Then, you should make it a habit to check your reports annually.
3. Pay your balances in full. Because many of your options after bankruptcy will carry high APRs that can force you into debt all over again. You can avoid some of this expense by paying your balances in full each month instead of carrying them from month to month. Check the grace period with the card so you can be sure to pay any balances in full and avoid the high amounts of interest.
4. Manage credit wisely. In order to improve your credit score, you will need to be diligent in managing your new credit wisely. This means paying on time and following the guidelines of the credit card. It may also mean, being careful about how and when you use your credit card, so you don’t end up overwhelmed in debt again.

You can read more about rebuilding bad credit here.

 

Christina Majaski More than 10 years experience covering credit cards and personal finance

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