- Credit Cards
- Citibank
- Citi® Secured Mastercard®
Citi® Secured Mastercard® Review
By Thomas Donaldson, February 19, 2021
on Citibank's secure site
- Improve your credit score with responsible use
- Pay no annual fee
- Use your card anywhere Mastercard® is accepted
- $0
- Limited History/No Credit
Product Details
- Click "APPLY NOW" to apply online
- The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a no annual fee credit card that helps you build your credit when used responsibly.
- Unlike a debit card, it helps build your credit history with monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus. Once available, you will also have free access to your FICO score online.
- Use your card anywhere Mastercard® is accepted — worldwide.
- A security deposit is required. Once approved, your credit limit will be equal to your security deposit (minimum of $200).
- Get help staying on track with Auto Pay and account alerts.
- With Flexible Payment Due Dates, you can choose any available due date in the beginning, middle or end of the month.
- Manage your account 24/7 online, by phone, or in our mobile app.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 22.49%. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.
- Click "APPLY NOW" to apply online
- The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a no annual fee credit card that helps you build your credit when used responsibly.
- Unlike a debit card, it helps build your credit history with monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus. Once available, you will also have free access to your FICO score online.
- Use your card anywhere Mastercard® is accepted — worldwide.
- A security deposit is required. Once approved, your credit limit will be equal to your security deposit (minimum of $200).
- Get help staying on track with Auto Pay and account alerts.
- With Flexible Payment Due Dates, you can choose any available due date in the beginning, middle or end of the month.
- Manage your account 24/7 online, by phone, or in our mobile app.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 22.49%. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.
Top Rated For
Our Expert Review
Why We Like It
Offer Rating
3.5/ 5
By Our Editorial Team
A secured credit card is an excellent tool to build credit for the first time or rebuild your credit if is has dropped into poor standing. A secured card works just like any other credit card, but you need to put down a refundable security deposit in order to get approved. Over time, as you use your card responsibly by making on-time payments, your credit score should increase. Once you're ready to move on to an unsecured card and close your account, you will get your original security deposit back as long as your balance has been paid off.
The Citi® Secured Mastercard®, from our partner Citibank, is a great choice if you looking to get started with building or rebuilding your credit. This card reports activity to all 3 major credit bureaus, so it can be a helpful tool for building credit. The key is to use your card responsibly – don't rack up a balance you won't be able to pay off when you bill comes due and be sure to make every payment on time.
This secured card from Citi® even comes with a number of helpful perks and benefits to get you started. You can easily set up Auto Pay to ensure you never miss a payment and you can manage your account 24/7 online, by phone, or in our mobile app. To top if off, the Citi® Secured Mastercard® charges no annual fee.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The Citi® Secured Mastercard® charges no annual fee
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus
- Helpful account management tools like Auto Pay and free access to your FICO score online
Cons
- There is a foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No rewards program build in, but that's normal for secured cards