What Is the Secured Self Visa® Credit Card?
The Secured Self Visa® Credit Card is a unique secured credit card designed specifically for individuals who are enrolled in the Self Credit Builder Account. Unlike traditional secured cards that require an upfront cash deposit, Self lets users fund their card through the savings they’ve built with their credit builder loan. This two-step model helps users build credit history both through installment payments and responsible credit use.
How the Self Visa® Secured Card Works
To get this card, you must first open and make progress with a Self Credit Builder Account. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
- Open a Credit Builder Account: You choose a small monthly payment plan (e.g., $25 to $150/month), which is placed into a CD (Certificate of Deposit).
- Build Payment History: As you make monthly payments, Self reports your on-time activity to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
- Unlock the Credit Card: Once you’ve made at least $100 in savings and three on-time payments, you become eligible to open the secured Self Visa® Credit Card using those funds as your security deposit.
This approach helps users with little to no credit simultaneously establish a history of both installment and revolving credit.
Key Features
- No Credit Check: Since you’re already a Self customer, no additional hard inquiry is made to open the credit card.
- Build Dual Credit Types: Your loan builds installment credit; the card builds revolving credit.
- Credit Bureau Reporting: Reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- Manageable Credit Limits: Based on your saved progress; initial deposit starts at $100.
- Mobile App Access: Full management through the Self mobile app, including payment reminders and usage monitoring.
Who Should Consider This Card?
The Self Visa® Secured Credit Card is best suited for:
- Credit Newcomers: Those who’ve never had credit and want to build responsibly
- Credit Rebuilders: Individuals with poor or no credit who want a structured path to improvement
- People Without Upfront Cash: Since the card uses built-up savings, no separate lump-sum deposit is needed
How to Maximize Its Benefits
- Make consistent, on-time payments on both the builder account and the card
- Keep credit utilization low (ideally below 30%)
- Monitor your credit score using free credit tracking tools
- Use the Self app to manage and automate payments
Why Self Outperforms Other Secured Card Options
While there are several solid secured credit cards on the market, the Self Visa® Secured Credit Card stands out because of its dual credit-building approach and low entry barrier. Unlike traditional secured cards that require an upfront deposit — often $200 or more — Self lets you fund your card through your own savings progress with no additional out-of-pocket cost. Here’s how it compares to other popular options:
- Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Offers cashback rewards, but requires a minimum $200 deposit upfront. Self doesn’t require you to come up with that money all at once — your security deposit builds gradually as you make Credit Builder Account payments.
- Capital One Platinum Secured: Allows for a low initial deposit (as little as $49), but approval is still subject to a credit check and underwriting. With Self, there’s no credit check for existing customers who meet the eligibility criteria.
- Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card: No fees or interest, but you must already have a Chime Spending Account and direct deposit setup, which not everyone qualifies for. Self is more accessible, focusing on credit-building through structured savings, not employment-based banking.
Bottom line: If your goal is to build credit without a hard inquiry or large upfront cost — and you’d benefit from developing both installment and revolving credit history — the Self Visa® Secured Credit Card is a more strategic long-term choice than many of its competitors.
Final Thoughts
The Secured Self Visa® Credit Card is a smart tool for credit builders who want a structured, low-risk way to establish both installment and revolving credit history. Its biggest strength is the dual-impact model: users are rewarded with credit access as they save. However, it’s important to stay committed to the Self program and manage the card responsibly to maximize its benefits.
Next Step: If you’re serious about building credit and like the idea of combining saving with credit access, opening a Self Credit Builder Account could be your first step toward financial independence.