How Do You Understand Credit Card Application Terminology?

 COMPLETE

Applying a credit card is not easy to begin with, and the words they use that are difficult to understand are not helping any. The one thing you want most, when you are applying for a credit card, is to understand the details of the application and the terms and conditions of the credit card loan. But how could you possibly do that with all the seemingly foreign language they use in the advertisement alone, to say nothing of the actual details.

Knowing what you are reading on a credit card application is important. But sometimes, even talking on the phone with a representative from a credit card company, it can be difficult to understand and follow along. Here are a few words that may be useful to know, what they mean, and what they have to do with getting a credit card.

Collateral

Collateral is some sort of asset, or something that you own that is of value, that you are willing to secure a credit card loan with. It secures your loan so that if you do not pay your bills, whatever you put up for collateral will be taken by the credit card company. If you are applying for a secured credit card, you will be required to pledge something that you own that is worth a certain amount in case you fail to pay your bills, or if you take out bankruptcy.

Credit Scoring System

This refers to the complex equation and factors that are calculated into your credit score. Your credit score and your credit report will determine whether or not you will be approved for a credit card, and how much your interest will be.

Annual Percentage Rate

Usually this is written as APR. Annual Percentage Rate is the percentage of the principle you will be charged in interest per year. This amount compounds each month, so the APR should not be confused with the actual interest rate. They are two seperate calculations of interest.

Fixed Rate

A fixed interest rate is a rate that will not change unless you make late payments. A fixed interest rate basically stays the same if you pay your bills on time and do not incur other penalties on yourself. There are some fixed rates that only last for a certain period of time, but others last for the entire time that the credit card account is open and active.

Finance Charge

Basically, this is what they use to describe your overall interest. A finance charge is a charge or fee they require you to pay for borrowing money on credit. So when you see “finance charge” written on an application, that is the total amount estimated that you will pay in interest.

There are several things you may not understand when you are trying to apply for a credit card. Along with the hassle of applying, you should not have to worry about the terminology. Knowing what you’re getting into is essential, and can save you loads of money in the future.

Secured and Prepaid Credit Cards

Over the last month or so I’ve done a whole series of posts about secured credit cards. We’ve looked at their requirements for approval, their fees, their interest rates, and the benefits they have for people trying to rebuild their credit. You can sum up our conversations about secured credit cards this way: they will help you rebuild your credit score or establish credit history, but it’s going to cost you in the form of security deposits, relatively high interest rates, and fees.

To wrap up the series I wanted to use at least one post to discuss prepaid credit cards. Secured and prepaid credit cards have some things in common, but they also have some big differences.

What is a Prepaid Credit Card?

A prepaid credit card is basically a charge card. What does that mean? It means you open an account with a card provider and you deposit a certain amount of money into that account. The card provider gives a card with a credit card logo on it that acts just like a credit card. You can use it to buy things online, in stores – pretty much wherever credit cards are accepted.

But here’s the big difference between a normal or secured credit card and a prepaid credit card. When you use a prepaid credit card you’re actually using your own money. That’s different than a secured credit card because secured credit cards are actual credit cards with interest rates; they’re just secured by a cash deposit you made when you opened the account.

There are a few misconceptions about prepaid credit cards. One is that they help establish or rebuild credit. It’s not true. Prepaid credit cards don’t help your status with the credit bureaus because the card providers don’t have anything meaningful to tell them. Think about it – what would they say? “He successfully spend his own money until it ran out.”

I guess if you look hard enough you may find a prepaid card that reports to the credit bureaus, but it will be tough to find one.

The other downside I see in prepaid credit cards is they have fees. They’ll ususally charge between $5 and $10 to open the account and then there may be ongoing fees just to keep the account open.

What’s the Upside?

I’m actually not sure there is much of an upside. The only time I can think of that you’d be wise to open a prepaid credit card would be if you can’t get a checking account with a debit card. In that case it may be worth it to open one.

Wait – there may be one more circumstance where you might want to have a prepaid credit card. If you’re a person that has some fear about online shopping with one of your own credit cards or your debit card, a prepaid card gives you a credit card number to use on ecommerce and other shopping sites without having to worry about someone stealing your card and charging big purchases to it.

Secured Credit Cards are the Way to Go

I’d recommend that instead of opening a prepaid credit card, get a secured one instead. Your cash out of pocket will be basically equal, but the secured credit card will help you on your way to improving your credit score.

Secured Student Credit Cards

One of the best things that any college student can do is get a credit card. There are a lot of options out there where you can go get credit cards. Some of you might have some difficult history in your past when it comes to credit. That is fine because there are still avenues for you to take a look at. One of the best ways to improve your current credit is to go get a secured student credit card.

Next you want to see what type of interest rates you can get. Usually if you have had a bad past with credit, your interest rate is going to be anywhere from 15% and up to 25%. There could be an initial lower interest rate, but make sure you read all of the terms and conditions of the contract. Be aware that there can be changes very quickly in your contract with the interest rate. It can take them only a 15 day notice before they make a change in the APR and bump it up.

Prepaid Student Credit Cards

When you get a secured credit card, you need to decide what type of credit limit you are looking to get. It usually isn’t more than a couple thousand dollars as a possibility, but more than likely a few hundred dollars. Usually the deposit will be about the same as the credit limit, but it could be less or more depending on the credit card company. It might be 50% of the credit limit or it could be up to 150%. You should search around to find a secured credit card that will allow for a smaller deposit.

With these cards, you can build a lot of credit during your younger years. You need to make some improvements to your credit and getting a secured credit card can be a great way to get you back into good graces with credit bureaus. Also with the deposit you might find yourself taking more notice and responsibility for your credit then what maybe you have done before in the past. This could also be a good option if you simply have no credit history at all. Find a lot of options before you make a decision so that you are not caught with a lot of fees and high interest rates.

Another choice you can look at is getting a family member to cosign on a line of credit to get your foot in the door, if a prepaid student credit card appears to much for you to handle. If that doesn’t work out then look to work through a debit card with a checking account and start building a good recognizable history that way.

Sterling Bank and Trust Secured Credit Cards

complete

From time to time it’s worth taking a look at an individual credit card company with regards to what they offer the credit consumer. Today we’re reviewing Sterling Bank and Trust secured credit cards.

Sterling is a big name in banking; they’ve been around for a while now and our research tells us they’ve done a pretty good job. First a little background about the company. Sterling has been around since 1984 when it was focused mostly on mortgage and lending services for homeowners. As the bank thrived and grew, it expanded into commercial real estate lending and other credit services. The bank originated in and now has offices in Michigan and several in California. In addition to credit cards, Sterling offers its clients checking, money market, and savings accounts along with business services and certificates of deposit.

Thinking of going to Sterling Bank and Trust for secured credit cards? It’s probably a good idea. We looked around for reviews and people had good things to say about the company. One reviewer on epinions.com had only good things to say. Her story is probably similar to a lot of people out there, maybe even you. She said she and her husband had always struggled with bad credit and had a hard time getting approved for credit cards.

Her husband saw an ad for the Sterling Bank secured credit card, they decided to get it, and it’s been only good things since then. Here’s a summary of a few of her favorite parts of the card:

1. She didn’t have to worry about getting approved – they’ll approve virtually anyone with some money for a deposit.
2. The card is helping them improve their credit.
3. She didn’t have to worry about falling behind or spending money she didn’t have because the only money on there is secured by her deposit.
4. She didn’t have to wonder or worry about what her credit limit was – she set it.

As an added benefit, you can use your card in other countries, with only a few exceptions. They’ll also let you Western Union money to your account if you happen to be close to your payment deadline and it’s the only way to get your money there on time.

The only con our reviewer mentioned was having to wait a long time to receive her card, because the company didn’t offer rush service. I’m guessing she had to wait the standard four to six weeks for the card to arrive.

The Sterling Bank and Trust Secured Credit Card passes our review with flying colors. This is a good tool to help you move your credit in the right direction without putting yourself at further financial risk.

The Best Way To Pay Off Secured Credit Cards

complete

A secured credit card can be a touchy thing. You definitely need to make sure that you pay your bills. Many people don’t know much about the best way to pay off secured credit cards or sometimes even how to get them.

This is a great example I have here for so many people to get into the habit to start spending their credit cards the right way. I am going to talk not just about paying off the secured credit cards, but more importantly how you should spend on these cards. I have a story from a friend of mine that has been through a lot and has struggled to get his credit turned around. It took him some time and this is his experience:

I had such a horrible time using my credit cards correctly. I struggled to know how to do it right. My spending habits were pathetic. I couldn’t make payments because I was spending so much more than I could afford. It was difficult for me to pay off my debts.

First, I couldn’t pay off any debts and I started building up interest. It continued to multiply and then I couldn’t even pay the full interest any more and the principle wasn’t even a thought. It got so bad that I had to stop my credit cards. I had to drastically change my spending habits and pay off so much debt.

My credit was in the can, but I wanted to get a business going. I spent so much money on consumer debt that was just staying there doing nothing and hurting my score. I started to realize about leveraging capabilities. There were people that would spend so much money and more than I was, but they were using that money to make them money. I realized this from a friend that was sporting the American Express Black card.

Well that type of a card was out of my range. So I had to look at a secured line of credit that was out there that I could get my hands onto. I found some business partially secured credit cards that were quality interest rates and not a lot of application fees that I knew would be a pain in the neck if I didn’t take care of it. I started using these cards wisely for the first time in my life. I thought to myself each time and for the first time, ‘Should I pay for it or can I go without it?’ Finally, I found myself spending more wisely.

This friend of mine has improved his credit gradually and found out the best way to pay off secured credit cards. Be careful what you buy. One of the worst things you can do is spending too much and assuming that you will be able to pay it off. It is never that easy. You never realize what other bills may come up or other emergencies you may have. Play it safe and create more streams of income so you can spend lavishly, but within your means.

Secured Credit Cards in Canada

We share the same language, the same name for our currency, we even share a few professional hockey and basketball teams. Why wouldn’t we share similar financial problems and solutions?

After a tough financial stretch, people are just as likely to be looking for secured credit cards in Canada as they are here in the US. Canada has similar bankruptcy laws to those of the US and the same credit bureaus monitor a person’s management of their debts. That being the case, a secured credit card in Canada will be just as useful for improving credit rating up there as down here.

Here is a short list of companies in Canada that provide secured credit cards:

1. Capital One Bank

The capital one website doesn’t say much about its terms other than the fact that your credit limit will be determined based on your credit score. No mention of interest paid on the security deposit, so I doubt they pay any.

2.CIBC

CIBC seems to offer similar terms as the others with one exception. They only let you apply for a secured credit card at a local branch of the bank.
3. Home Trust Bank

Requires a minimum deposit of $1000, but can go up to $10,000. They pay no interest on your security deposit, and charge a $7.50 monthly fee. I looked over their terms and conditions and these guys seem a little steep on their fee structure.

4. Horizon Plus

This card requires a minimum deposit of $500 and pays 2% annually on that deposit. They also charge a monthly fee of $5.95 to keep your account open.

These companies will have a fairly simple application process and you’re highly likely to get approved. After all, why wouldn’t they approve you when they have your cash securing the line of credit they gave you? In fact, getting secured credit cards in Canada for people with bad credit is pretty easy. You can get a credit line of up to $10,000 (if you’re willing to put down a $10,000 deposit).

The game is the same in Canada as it is in the US – open a couple of secured credit cards, and put a balance on them every month. Make sure it’s an amount you can manage and pay off before the payment is due. The credit bureaus on both sides of the border need to see you use the credit card intelligently. That means no late payments! Don’t risk making your credit score even worse!

Apply for Secured Credit Cards

A couple of years ago my little brother crashed his car and needed to buy a new one. He wasn’t looking to get anything too expensive or brand new, but he didn’t have the cash for a car. He was going to have to get a loan. Only one problem, right? He didn’t have the credit history to get approved for the loan, no matter how small it was. He had to have my parents co-sign the loan with him. Both he and my brother in law should have looked to apply for secured credit cards as a way of building their credit history.

My brother in law went through the same thing. The weird thing was he actually makes decent money and had a nice chunk of cash in the bank. He went to apply for a loan, and they wouldn’t approve him for anything. The only option they gave him was to put some of his cash in an account and they’d let him borrow enough money for the new car. I’m thinking – why would I give you the cash so I can borrow some money? Why not just pay cash for the car?

Both of these guys were in the same situation, they didn’t have enough credit history to get approved for the loans they needed. How do you get that history? You need to open lines of credit.

It’s like the old saying about getting a job – you can’t get a job without experience, but you can’t get experience without a job. The solution to the problem in the professional world is to get yourself an internship. You work for free for a while to get yourself some experience. The employer doesn’t have to risk much because you’re not getting paid, but it’s worth it for you because you’re getting the experience people are going to look for when you interview in the future.

In the world of credit cards, the internships you get are called secured credit cards. Since you don’t have the experience (credit history) that makes them feel safe giving you a credit card, you have to minimize their risk.

The solution here is that you apply for a secured credit card. Basically you’re putting down some money – giving it to the credit card provider as collateral just in case you decide not to make your payments. They know they can use your deposit to cover unpaid balances (but you won’t leave those balances unpaid, will you?), and while you’re making payments they’re sending good reports about you to the credit bureaus.

Of course, while you’re doing your credit card internship, make sure you apply for low interest secured credit cards. There’s no reason to pay a bunch of interest while you’re establishing yourself as an experienced credit user. Eventually you’ll have enough ‘on the job experience’ so credit card companies will give you the credit cards you want. Just make sure you use them wisely…

Credit Cards for Student Looking To Build Credit History

complete

There are plenty of credit card companies that are willing to send offers in the mail, bombard your e-mail account, and call to see if you want credit cards. These companies are drooling to offer credit cards for students looking to build credit history. I remember when I turned 18 my mom kept a huge stack of all of the credit offers that I started receiving. It was relentless and made me think of how many companies out there are looking to prey on college and high school students to get them to spend money carelessly. Many credit card providers take the same stance as gun dealers, “Card issuers don’t kill credit, customers do.” This can be a very true statement because many students are willing to dump their credit in the trash very quickly.

First of all I think that you need to realize quickly how important your credit is. There are so many things you can purchase out there where your credit is going to be vital. Good luck getting a car or house without good credit. You better have liquid assets to use or even if you get your desired items then you will probably have to pay high interest rates or have large payments required. You will appreciate good credit often, even in simple purchases where a credit check is necessary to get a security system, a boat, furniture, televisions, cell phones, etc. It is basically your financial integrity to society.

Here are some things to look at before getting a credit card. Start by opening a checking account and a savings account. This is a good sign for a creditor to tell of your financial history and if you pay off bills like rent or utilities. Next get a store credit card and pay off your items you buy there promptly. These are easy to obtain, they give you some kind of discount, and can help you to start intelligent credit habits. You might have to get a secured credit card initially, which will require a deposit that equals the credit limit you are going to establish. This is another nice way to get your foot in the door.

When I was in high school I got a line of credit through my mom’s account that she cosigned on. This helped me out a lot. I really never used the card and my mom taught me early on how to pay these cards off consistently. If you are concerned you will not be able to pay it off or just want to save time then do what I did and set up an automatic payment relationship. When it came time to get my own account it was easy. So approach your parents and explain you want to establish your credit. Most parents would consider that very mature of you and look for some way to help you do that.

Guaranteed Student Credit Cards Applications

There are many offers out there for young college students to get credit cards. You need to be careful not to run into problems and understand what your obligations and potential results are with any credit company no matter how good their history is. A guaranteed student credit card is more often then not a secured credit card that is going to require some type of financial deposit. Usually it will be a deposit around the same price as the amount of credit that you are getting extended.

For many college and high school students it is all about building credit history. It is best to probably initially team up with a well known bank with a good background. Wells Fargo has a good plan as far as student accounts go and I am sure the same can be said for other national banks. There are options online, but I suggest that you are truly careful and I would recommend going to local banks or at least calling them to get an idea as far as fees, interest rates, initial deposits and other requirements that they will ask for.

Make sure if you are to go and apply for a card that you bring two forms of identification and also your social security number. This will make it a lot easier for you to fill out any forms. You will usually find bankers helpful for your initial credit card. If you do it online it might be good to have an adult that has a good long history with credit cards present. You want to make sure that your first experience is a good one. Especially if you want to build credit to buy a car or eventually a home.

Credit Card’s Application For College Students

Always be careful about your credit cards that you apply for as a college student. You might get a little riskier and want to start impressing people by using a companies money like it is your own. Listen to what I am about to say…don’t! Use your money and don’t spend what you don’t have. Use your credit card as an extension of your debit card. It is a simple process and it won’t create a lot of stress and bad habits. You want to start doing it right the first time.

Now you might get excited about things that you read like a low interest rate or a fixed interest rate. Well make sure to read the fine print. Go over your Terms and Conditions. You might see a place there where it says “Change in Terms”. This means really, “What you see is not eventually what you are probably going to get.” Read these terms because as long as the credit provider gives you a 15 day advanced notice, they can change the interest rates on you. This can be done potentially each month. If you miss on a payment or two then expect your rates to double or maybe even rise from 10% to 25%. That is not fun. So play it safe with your credit cards and pay them off often to avoid the crushing blow of low credit.