Top Credit Card Issuers in the US
- Chase: Offers reward-rich cards like Sapphire Preferred® and Freedom Unlimited®, backed by deep travel and cash-back value.
- American Express (Amex): Known for premium perks via cards like Platinum® and Blue Cash Preferred®, with strong global acceptance and service.
- Capital One: Provides accessible credit-builder and travel rewards cards—like Venture and Capital One Platinum Secured.
- Discover: Great for beginners: rotating 5% categories, no annual fees, and free FICO® score access.
- Navy Federal Credit Union: Tailored to military members and their families, offering competitive rates and credit tools.
Major Bank Credit Cards
U.S. banks such as Chase, Citi, and BofA offer cards that require good to excellent credit and reward timely payment and strategic use. They often feature zero intro APR offers, sign-up bonuses, travel perks, and robust customer service—best for users who pay monthly and seek value.
Armed Forces Bank Credit Builder Secured Visa
This is a secured card tied to a Credit Builder savings account (min. $300–$3,000 deposit), which directly sets your credit limit and reports to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion each month—helpful in establishing a positive payment history and improving your FICO® score over time. After demonstrating responsible use—like on-time payments—you may be eligible to transition to Armed Forces Bank’s unsecured Visa, and your deposit is refunded. An official review is required.
Fintech or Online‑Only Credit Card Issuers
Companies like Petal, Grow Credit, and Chime use alternative underwriting—banking behavior or recurring payments—to offer unsecured credit-building cards with no annual fee and app-based features. They report to all major bureaus and are accessible for those with little or no credit.
Secured Credit Cards for Building Credit
Other strong secured options include Discover it® Secured, Capital One Platinum Secured, and OpenSky® Secured Visa®. These cards generally require a refundable deposit, report to bureaus, and some even offer cash-back rewards or automatic graduation to unsecured status—often with lower fees or rewards.
Retail Store Credit Cards
Store-specific options (e.g., Target RedCard, Amazon Store Card) deliver store perks and financing but offer limited use, often have high APRs, and little impact on broader credit planning. General-purpose cards—and especially credit-builder tools—are more versatile and beneficial for long-term credit health.
How Credit Cards Impact Your Finances and Credit Score in the US
Secured cards like the Credit Builder Visa® influence your credit by reporting on-time payments and managing utilization. Keeping your credit utilization under ~30%, making timely payments, and growing your limit responsibly promote a healthier FICO® score. Carrying balances—even with low rates—can lead to compound interest, increase your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), and affect loan eligibility. Carefully review cardholder agreements, avoid unnecessary fees (like opting out of eStatements), and strive to withdraw your deposit only upon account closure. Always pay your balance in full when possible to minimize interest and maximize benefit.
