U.S. Bank Credit Cards for Bad Credit

Yes, U.S. Bank offers secured credit cards for people with bad credit or those who are building or rebuilding their credit. U.S. Bank currently offers three secured credit cards: the U.S. Bank Secured Visa^® Card, the U.S. Bank Cash+^® Secured Visa^® Card, and the U.S. Bank Altitude^® Go Secured Visa^® Card. All three require a refundable security deposit of $300 to $5,000, and all three have a $0 annual fee.

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Does U.S. Bank Have Credit Cards for Bad Credit?

Yes. U.S. Bank offers several secured credit cards that are specifically designed to help people build or rebuild their credit. U.S. Bank states that its secured cards are designed for people looking to build credit, and its Secured Visa page specifically says customers with low or no credit who want to build or repair their credit can benefit from a secured card.

The main difference between these cards and a traditional unsecured credit card is the refundable security deposit. Your deposit establishes your credit limit, and U.S. Bank reports account activity to the three major credit bureaus. The deposit is held in a secured savings account and can be returned if the account is upgraded or closed, subject to the account terms.

Does a U.S. Bank Secured Card Guarantee Approval?

No. Having enough money for the security deposit does not by itself guarantee that U.S. Bank will approve your application. The security deposit provides collateral for the account, but U.S. Bank still reviews your application and determines whether you qualify for the card.

U.S. Bank describes its secured cards as products for people who are building or rebuilding credit, but a secured card is not the same thing as guaranteed approval. The deposit establishes the secured account and credit limit after you are approved; it does not replace the bank's approval process.

U.S. Bank Secured Visa^® Card

The U.S. Bank Secured Visa^® Card is the basic secured option in the U.S. Bank lineup. It has a $0 annual fee and requires a refundable security deposit of $300 to $5,000. Your credit limit is the same amount as your security deposit.

This card is primarily about building or rebuilding credit rather than earning rewards. U.S. Bank reports your card status to the three major credit bureaus, and the bank says customers with low or no credit who want to build or repair their credit can benefit from the card.

➤ See the U.S. Bank Secured Visa Card

U.S. Bank Cash+^® Secured Visa^® Card

The U.S. Bank Cash+^® Secured Visa^® Card adds cash-back rewards while providing the same basic credit-building structure. It has a $0 annual fee and requires a refundable security deposit of $300 to $5,000, which establishes your credit limit.

The rewards structure is one of the biggest differences. You can earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter in two categories you choose, 2% cash back in one everyday category you choose, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. The card also reports your account activity to the three major credit bureaus.

U.S. Bank says you may be able to automatically graduate to the U.S. Bank Cash+^® Visa Signature^® Card, at which point your security deposit will be returned.

➤ See the U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured Visa Card

U.S. Bank Altitude^® Go Secured Visa^® Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude^® Go Secured Visa^® Card is another secured card with a $0 annual fee and a refundable security deposit of $300 to $5,000. Like the other U.S. Bank secured cards, your security deposit establishes your credit limit.

The Altitude Go Secured stands out because it offers rewards for everyday spending. You can earn 4X points on dining, takeout and restaurant delivery on your first $2,000 each quarter, 2X points at grocery stores and gas stations or EV charging stations, 2X points on streaming services, and 1X point on other eligible purchases.

U.S. Bank says you may be able to automatically graduate to the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature^® Card. If the account graduates, the security deposit is returned.

➤ See the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Secured Visa Card

Which U.S. Bank Secured Card Is Right for You?

The three cards are structured similarly, but the rewards are different. The U.S. Bank Secured Visa^® Card is the straightforward credit-building option if you are primarily looking for a secured card without an annual fee. The Cash+ Secured Visa^® is designed for someone who wants cash-back rewards, while the Altitude Go Secured Visa^® offers points with an emphasis on dining, groceries, gas and streaming.

All three cards require you to have money available for the refundable security deposit, and the amount of your deposit determines your initial credit limit. If you specifically want an unsecured credit card for bad credit that does not require a security deposit, U.S. Bank's secured cards are not what you are looking for.

What If You Don't Want a Security Deposit?

If you have bad credit but do not want to put down a security deposit, there are unsecured credit cards specifically designed for people with less-than-perfect credit. You can see five options on our Bad Credit Credit Cards With No Deposit page.

If you specifically want to see pre-approved options, you can also see our Best Pre-Approved Credit Cards for Bad Credit page, where we have selected two cards that stand out from many of the other options available to people with bad credit.