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5 Credit Cards That Can Help You Get a Fresh Start in 2017

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[DISCLOSURE: Cards from our partners are mentioned below.]

The new year is officially here, and you’ve probably come up with a New Year’s resolution or two. If one of yours is to become more financially stable and improve your less-than-stellar credit, we’re here to help. Check out these five credit cards that can help you get a fresh start in 2017.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to manage the card responsibly, keeping your balance low and trying to pay it in full each month if you want to improve your credit. Doing so will also help you avoid racking up interest charges. Some of these cards carry relatively higher interest rates than cards aimed at people with higher credit scores, so carrying a balance can really add up after a few months.

And, as with any credit card, it’s a good idea to check your credit scores before applying so you know where you stand. You can get your two free credit scores, updated every 14 days, on Credit.com.

1. U.S. Bank Secured Visa Card

Why We Chose It: The majority of secured credit cards require cardholders to place a deposit on their account when their application is approved. This deposit will act as their credit limit. A lot of cards set a maximum limit of $2,000 or $3,000, depending on the card, but the U.S. Bank Secured Visa card has a maximum $5,000 credit limit if you can afford the matching deposit.

After you have been a cardholder for 12 months, U.S. Bank will assess your account to see what kind of borrower you’ve been. If you’ve been making payments on time and your spending has been kept under control, you could be moved into an unsecured card.

APR: Variable 19.49%

Annual Fee: $29

2. Credit One Bank Unsecured Visa Card

Credit One Bank® Unsecured Platinum Visa®

Apply Now
on Credit One Bank's secure website
Card Details
Intro Apr:
N/A*
Ongoing Apr:
19.74% - 25.74% Variable
Balance Transfer:
N/A*
Annual Fee:
$0 - $99
Credit Needed:
Fair-Poor-Bad
Rates and Fees
Snapshot of Card Features
  • See if you Pre-Qualify without harming your credit score
  • This unsecured card requires no deposit and can help build your credit
  • Track your progress with free online access to your Experian credit score, terms apply
  • Build your credit history—we report to the credit bureaus monthly
  • Accounts are automatically reviewed for credit line increase opportunities
  • Enjoy the flexibility to choose your payment due date, terms apply
  • Receive 1% cash back rewards on eligible purchases, terms apply
  • No need to fret—you’re covered by $0 Fraud Liability

Card Details +

Why We Chose It: The Credit One Bank Unsecured Visa Card is one of the very few unsecured cards available to almost anyone with poor credit (keep in mind you can still be turned down for a credit card, even a secured one, if you have an active bankruptcy on your credit report). You will not be required to come up with a deposit to use this card. Plus, cardholders will have the ability to earn rewards on purchases. Each time you use the card at gas stations and grocery stores, you will receive 1% cash back.

You can get pre-qualified for this card in less than one minute. This will help by letting you know if you will be approved and potentially save you the hard inquiry on your credit report. Credit One Bank will report to all three credit bureaus. Because a lot of financial institutions use a combination of your three scores, this can be an important part of rebuilding your credit.

APR: 19.74% - 25.74% Variable

Annual Fee: $0 - $99

3. Capital One Secured Mastercard

Why We Chose It: The Capital One Secured MasterCard is a little different than other secured cards. Instead of matching the credit limit with the deposit placed on the account, you can receive a $200 limit with a deposit of $49, $99 or $200. Plus, if you prove to be a good borrower, Capital One can decide to increase your credit limit without requiring any additional deposit.

APR: 24.99% (Variable)

Annual Fee: None

4. Indigo Platinum Mastercard

Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit

Apply Now
on Genesis FS Card Services's secure website
Card Details
Intro Apr:
N/A
Ongoing Apr:
23.90%
Balance Transfer:
N/A
Annual Fee:
$0 - $99*
Credit Needed:
Poor-Bad
Rates and Fees
Snapshot of Card Features
  • Less than perfect credit histories can qualify, even with prior bankruptcy!
  • Choose your custom card design - Free
  • Quick pre-qualification available with no impact to your credit score
  • Fast and easy decision on your application
  • Access your account online or from your mobile device 24/7
  • Protection from fraud, if your card happens to be lost or stolen
  • Accepted worldwide at most locations

Card Details +

Why We Chose It: Like the Credit One card, the Indigo Platinum MasterCard offers pre-qualification, meaning you don’t have to ding your credit score only to be denied. You won’t find many perks with this card, though, other than the ability to improve your credit over time, but that is your main goal.

APR: 23.90%

Annual Fee: $0 - $99*

5. Discover it Secured 

Discover it® Secured

Apply Now
on Discover's secure website
Card Details
Intro Apr:
N/A
Ongoing Apr:
24.74% Variable on purchases & balance transfers
Balance Transfer:
Intro: 10.99% for 6 months
Annual Fee:
$0
Credit Needed:
Poor-Bad-No Credit
Rates and Fees
Snapshot of Card Features
  • No Annual Fee, cash back on every purchase, and helps you build your credit with responsible use.
  • Your Secured Credit Card requires a refundable security deposit up to the amount we can approve of at least $200 which will establish your credit line. You will need to provide your bank information when submitting your security deposit.
  • We will automatically begin reviewing your account starting at 8 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit.
  • Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
  • INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There's no signing up. And no limit to how much is matched.
  • Receive FREE Social Security number alerts-Discover will monitor thousands of risky websites when you sign up.

Card Details +

Why We Chose It: The Discover it Secured card offers great rewards for a secured credit card. You will receive 2% cash back on up to $1,000 per quarter in combined purchases at restaurants and gas stations, and 1% on all other purchases. In addition, Discover will match the cash back you earn for the first 12 months.

Like most other secured cards, the Discover it Secured card will require at least a $200 deposit. This will act as your credit limit. After eight months, however, your account will go through monthly reviews to see if you qualify to be moved into an unsecured card and receive your deposit back.

APR: 24.74% Variable on purchases & balance transfers

Annual Fee: None

At publishing time, the Credit One Unsecured Visa Card, Capital One Secured MasterCard, Indigo Platinum MasterCard and Discover it Secured Card are offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply and ultimately sign up for these cards. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment. This content is not provided by the card issuer(s). Any opinions expressed are those of Credit.com alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer(s).

Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.

Image: phototechno

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Certain credit cards and other financial products mentioned in this and other sponsored content on Credit.com are Partners with Credit.com. Credit.com receives compensation if our users apply for and ultimately sign up for any financial products or cards offered.

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