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FEATURED CREDIT CARDS

Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card

Mission Lane Visa<sup>®</sup> Credit Card
  • No Annual Fee
  • Fair Credit
  • Enjoy coverage from Visa®.
    *See Card Terms

Indigo® Mastercard® - $1,000 Credit Limit

Indigo<sup>®</sup> Mastercard<sup>®</sup> - $1,000 Credit Limit
  • Get the credit limit you deserve—$1,000 guaranteed if approved
    Rates & Fees

Milestone® Mastercard®

Destiny Mastercard
  • $700 Credit Limit
  • No security deposit
  • Less than perfect credit is ok
    Rates & Fees

The First Digital Mastercard® : Objective Review

The First Digital Mastercard® is an unsecured credit card designed for individuals with bad or limited credit history. It provides access to a small line of credit without a security deposit, but it is known for charging a significant number of fees and having a very high interest rate. The card is issued by Synovus Bank, an FDIC member, and the program is not available to residents in New York (NY).

How the First Digital Card Works

The First Digital card operates like a standard unsecured credit card: a line of credit is extended to you based on your application, which you must repay.

  • Hard Inquiry Required: Applying for the First Digital Mastercard® does involve a hard inquiry on your credit report, which will temporarily lower your score. There is no online tool to check for pre-approval with a soft inquiry.

  • Initial Credit Limit: Approved applicants receive a credit limit of at least $300. The Annual Fee is charged before you can use the card, which reduces your initial available credit. Based on a $300 limit, your initial available credit will be $225.00.

  • High APR: The card has a high, fixed Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 35.99% for purchases and cash advances.

  • Credit Building: The issuer reports your payment activity to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) monthly, which can help rebuild credit if managed responsibly.

  • Earns Rewards on Payments: You earn 1% cash back in the form of a statement credit, not on the purchase itself, but on payments made towards your account balance.

  • Right to Reject Offer: You may reject the card offer provided you have not yet used the account or paid a fee after receiving your first billing statement. If you reject the plan, you are not responsible for any fees or charges.

    • The Pros and Cons: A Transparent Look

    Here is a straightforward summary of the pros and cons of choosing the First Digital Mastercard®:

    Pros:

  • Unsecured Access: Provides access to a line of credit without requiring a large upfront security deposit.

  • Credit Building Potential: Reports to all three major credit bureaus, making it a viable tool for rebuilding credit history.

  • Cashback Rewards: Offers 1% cash back on payments made to the account, a rare perk for a bad-credit card.

  • Widely Accepted: As a Mastercard product, it can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted in the U.S.

    • Cons (The Hard Truth) :

  • Extremely High Fees (The "Program Fee"): It charges a non-refundable $95 "program fee" before the account is even opened. The Year 1 annual fee is $75. From year two onward, the fee becomes a $48 annual fee plus a $99 annual servicing fee (billed monthly as $8.25), totaling over $147 annually from year two onward.

  • Geographic Restriction: This card is not available to residents of New York (NY).

  • No Pre-Qualification Tool: You cannot check your approval odds with a soft inquiry; applying results in an immediate hard inquiry on your credit report.

  • Very High APR: The 35.99% APR is extremely expensive; interest starts accruing on cash advances immediately.

  • Hard Inquiry to Apply: The application process results in a hard pull on your credit report.

  • Penalty Fees: Be aware of a late payment fee of up to $41.00 and a returned payment fee of up to $41.00.

  • Additional Card Fee: There is a $29 annual fee for each authorized user card requested.

  • Rewards Caveats: Rewards are earned on payments (not purchases), require a 500-point minimum for redemption, do not count toward your minimum payment due, and the initial program fee does not earn rewards.

  • Customer Service & Operational Issues: User reviews frequently mention poor customer service and the card being declined even with available funds.

    • Who is this card best for?

    The First Digital Mastercard® is designed for a very specific user, often out of necessity:

  • Individuals with Severely Damaged Credit: This card is an option for people with bad credit scores (typically below 500) who have exhausted nearly all other options, including secured cards.

  • Users Who Can Pay in Full Immediately: It is a strong option only for users who are extremely disciplined and committed to paying their entire balance in full every month to avoid the exorbitant interest charges.

    • Final Verdict

    The First Digital Mastercard® is an expensive, unsecured credit-building tool with a rare 1% cashback reward program (on payments made). However, due to the combination of high upfront program fees, ongoing annual/monthly fees, and the fixed 35.99% APR, it is one of the costliest options on the market. Potential users should exhaust all other options—especially a secured credit card with lower fees—before considering this card.







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    Experian Boost: A Comprehensive Guide to Boosting Your Free Credit Score

    FICO® Credit Scores

    A FICO® Score is a specific, proprietary type of credit score created by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). It is the most widely used credit scoring model, with approximately 90% of top U.S. lenders using a FICO® Score to make lending decisions.

    FICO® Score Ranges:

    • Exceptional: 800–850
    • Very Good: 740–799
    • Good: 670–739
    • Fair: 580–669
    • Poor: 300–579
    While many people (and credit education websites) use "Excellent" and "Bad" as general, descriptive terms, FICO® officially categorizes its score ranges as Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, and Exceptional.

    What is a Credit Score?

    A credit score is a three-digit number, typically ranging from 300 to 850, that predicts your creditworthiness—how likely you are to repay borrowed money on time. Lenders use this score to assess the risk of lending to you and to determine the interest rates and terms of any credit you might receive.

    Why is a Credit Score Important?
    A credit score is important because it acts as your financial reputation. Lenders, landlords, insurers, and employers use this single number to quickly judge how reliable you are with money. A higher score helps you qualify for loans and credit cards, often securing lower interest rates that can save you significant money. Conversely, a poor credit score can lead to application denials or much higher costs for borrowing, making it a key factor in your overall financial opportunities.

    FICO® Credit Score Facts

    Key Characteristics of FICO® Scores

    • Three-Digit Number: Like other credit scores, FICO® Scores are a three-digit number that summarizes a consumer's credit risk.

    • Range: Most standard FICO® Scores range from 300 to 850. Higher scores indicate lower credit risk.

    • Data Source: FICO® Scores are calculated using data from your credit reports maintained by the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Your score may vary slightly depending on which bureau's data is used.

    • Industry Standard: Lenders rely on FICO® Scores for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards because they provide a consistent, statistically sound assessment of the likelihood that a borrower will repay their debt.

    Note: Credit scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any credit card product.


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