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Green Dot Spotlight—Building Your Credit

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

Do you have bad credit? Or no credit? Maybe you’ve been denied for credit card after credit card. And you know that if a creditor just gave you a chance that you would prove you can make responsible financial decisions because you’d make your payments on time each month.

Luckily, companies like Green Dot understand what you’re going through. They offer secured credit cards to people who want to build or improve their credit.

What is Green Dot?

Green Dot is a bank that offers a variety of products, like secured credit cards. These types of accounts allow consumers with subprime credit access to a line of credit that helps them establish a positive credit history. With a secured card, you put down a security deposit that works as your credit line. Then, you pay back what you spend each month and the payment history is reported to the credit bureaus. Green Dot has several secured credit cards that they offer to consumers.

Why Get a Green Dot Secured Credit Card?

Green Dot Secured cards come with benefits for users:

  • You don’t need a checking account to apply for one of these cards.
  • They have low APRs (annual percentage rate).
  • Deposits are flexible. You can put down anything from $200 to $1,000.
  • Application and approval process are quick and easy.
  • Green Dot reports to all three credit bureaus.

You do have to be 18 years or older, and there are some annual fees. If you decide to apply for a Green Dot card, make sure you understand the fees and interest rates that come with the card.

Green Dot Secured Credit Card Reviews

Here are some highlights of some of the secured credit cards that Green Dot offers:

Green Dot Platinum Visa© Secured Credit Card

Green Dot® Platinum Visa® Secured Credit Card

Apply Now
on Green Dot Bank's secure website
Card Details
Intro Apr:
N/A
Ongoing Apr:
19.99%
Balance Transfer:
N/A
Annual Fee:
$39
Credit Needed:
Fair-Poor-Bad-No Credit
Rates and Fees
Snapshot of Card Features
  • Credit card (not prepaid or debit) designed to help you build credit with responsible use
  • Pre-qualify fast without impacting your credit score
  • Most people will qualify for a card
  • Good credit or a bank account is not required
  • Make security deposits and payments with cash at retail stores nationwide
  • No late fee on your first late payment.
  • Track your spending with 24/7 online account access
  • Use everywhere Visa is accepted

Card Details +

This card doesn’t require a credit check and doesn’t require a checking account. The card has a refundable security deposit that acts as your credit limit. The minimum security deposit for this card is $200. You can make your monthly payments at any participating retailer. The card comes with a low APR of 19.99%. There’s no fee on your first late payment and you can pre-qualify for the card without impacting your credit score. Most people will qualify for this card.

Green Dot Primor Visa Gold© Secured Credit Card

Green Dot primor® Visa® Gold Secured Credit Card

Apply Now
on Green Dot's secure website
Card Details
Intro Apr:
N/A
Ongoing Apr:
9.99% (Fixed)
Balance Transfer:
N/A
Annual Fee:
$49
Credit Needed:
Poor-Bad-No Credit
Rates and Fees
Snapshot of Card Features
  • Credit lines available from $200 to $5,000! Super Low Fixed 9.99% interest rate on purchases - with no penalty rate!
  • No minimum credit score requirements! We invite all credit types to apply! No processing or application fees!
  • Helps strengthen your credit with responsible card use. Reports to three national bureaus
  • Fast, easy application process. Choose your credit line and open your Personal Savings Deposit Account to secure your line.

Card Details +


This card comes with an even lower 9.99% (Fixed) APR than the Platinum card. You can have a bigger credit line with this card too. The minimum deposit is $200 but you can deposit up to $5,000. This card also does not require a credit check and there is no minimum credit score required.

Green Dot primor® Visa® Classic Secured Credit Card

Green Dot primor® Visa® Classic Secured Credit Card

Apply Now
on Green Dot's secure website
Card Details
Intro Apr:
N/A
Ongoing Apr:
13.99% (Fixed)
Balance Transfer:
N/A
Annual Fee:
$39
Credit Needed:
Poor-Bad-No Credit
Rates and Fees
Snapshot of Card Features
  • Credit lines available from $200 to $5,000! Low fixed 13.99% interest rate on purchases - with no penalty rate!
  • No minimum credit score requirements! We invite all credit types to apply! No processing or application fees!
  • Helps strengthen your credit with responsible card use. Reports to three national bureaus
  • Fast, easy application process. Choose your credit line and open your Personal Savings Deposit Account to secure your line.

Card Details +

Like every other card on this list, the Green Dot primor Visa Classic© Secured Credit Card doesn’t require a credit history or credit check. You can also pick a credit line of anywhere from $200-$5,000. There is no penalty interest rate and the card comes with a low APR of 13.99% (Fixed).

If you’re ready to start building your credit, then a Green Dot secured credit card may be the right option for you. All of these cards do come with annual fees, so remember to make sure you understand what these are. If you want to learn more about your credit, sign up for a free account with Credit.com. We give you two free credit scores that are updated every 14 days and a breakdown of your credit report. This can be a great way to help improve your credit.

At publishing time, the Green Dot Platinum Visa, Secured Card, Green Dot Primor Visa Gold Secured Credit Card, and Green Dot Primor Secured Visa Classic Credit Card are offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply for and ultimately sign up for any of 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).

Comments on articles and responses to those comments are not provided or commissioned by a bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by a bank advertiser. It is not a bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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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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