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First Progress Secured Credit Cards: What You Need To Know

  • First Progress offers three secured credit cards to help you build credit.
  • Each card has the Mastercard logo, so you can use it to pay any merchant that accepts Mastercard.
  • The APR on each card ranges from 15.24% variable to 25.24% variable.
  • First Progress charges annual fees ranging from $29 to $49 depending on which card you have.
  • You may be able to increase your credit score by making on-time payments and staying under your credit limit.

First Progress offers three secured cards designed for users with poor credit or no credit. One of these cards may be a good fit for your needs if you’ve never handled credit before, or if you need to rebuild your credit after some setbacks. 

We created this guide to answer some of your most burning questions:

  • What are the differences between the three cards?
  • Does First Progress have a rewards program?
  • How can a First Progress Mastercard® help you build credit?
  • What is the limit on a First Progress card?
  • Does First Progress require a credit check?

First Progress credit card options

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Best No-Frills First Progress Card

First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard Secured Credit Card
First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard Secured Credit Card
Click here to apply now
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on First Progress' secure site
No Rewards

This card doesn’t earn any rewards.

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Annual Fee
$29
Welcome Offer
N/A
Regular APR
25.24% variable
Recommended Credit
No Credit History
Why we like it
The most basic of the First Progress lineup, the First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card has the lowest annual fee of the bunch ($29) but it also doesn’t offer any rewards and has the highest APR (25.24% variable) out of the three.
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Card Details

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  • Choose your own credit line – $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
  • Build your credit score. Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
  • No minimum credit score required for approval!
  • Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
Pros
  • Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
  • Free credit score access
Cons
  • Has an annual fee
  • Requires a security deposit

Best Mid-Tier First Progress Card

First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
1% Reward Rate

Earn 1% cash back on payments.

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Annual Fee
$39
Welcome Offer
N/A
Regular APR
19.24% variable
Recommended Credit
No Credit History
Why we like it
The mid-tier option of all First Progress cards, the First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card offers 1% cash back on all payments and charges a $39 annual fee. It has a slightly lower APR than the Elite, at 19.24% variable.
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Card Details

More Card Info

  • Choose your own credit line – $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
  • Build your credit score. Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
  • No minimum credit score required for approval!
  • Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
Pros
  • Earns cash back
  • Free credit score access
Cons
  • Has an annual fee
  • Requires a security deposit

Best Low APR First Progress Card

First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
Click here to apply now
LEARN MORE
on First Progress' secure site
1% Reward Rate

Earn 1% cash back on payments.

Show More Show Less
Annual Fee
$49
Welcome Offer
N/A
Regular APR
15.24% variable
Recommended Credit
No Credit History
Why we like it
The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card has the highest annual fee of the three First Progress cards, at $49/year. However. it also offers 1% cash back on all payments and has the lowest APR (15.49% variable), so if you frequently carry a balance, it could save you a few bucks in the long run.
Show More Show Less
Card Details

More Card Info

  • Choose your own credit line – $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
  • Build your credit score. Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
  • No minimum credit score required for approval!
  • Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
Pros
  • Earns cash back
  • Lower APR than many cards
Cons
  • Has an annual fee
  • No intro APR offer

First Progress secured cards: An overview

First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard Secured Credit Card

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The First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is the most basic card available. There’s no minimum credit score required for approval, and you can choose a limit between $200 and $2,000.

To use your secured card, you must make a deposit equal to your desired limit. For example, if you want a credit line of $1,000, you must make a $1,000 deposit. Because you don’t need a minimum credit score, the Platinum Elite secured card has the highest interest rate.

First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

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If the Platinum Elite doesn’t meet your needs, consider the First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard. Platinum Select is the company’s “middle-of-the-road” card. It’s designed for people with bad credit, so there’s no minimum score required to open an account. Additionally, the Platinum Select card allows you to earn rewards on your payments. You can access a credit line of up to $2,000 with this First Progress card.

First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

[ jump to details ]

The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is another credit-building program. It’s designed for people with bad credit, limited credit and no credit, so you don’t need a specific credit score to qualify. You also have the opportunity to earn rewards based on your credit card usage. This secured credit card has the highest annual fee of all three First Progress credit cards. Like the Platinum Elite and the Platinum Select cards, the Platinum Prestige Mastercard gives you access to a credit line ranging from $200 to $2,000.

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First Progress secured credit card rewards

First Progress doesn’t offer any welcome bonuses, but two of the three cards offer 1% cash back on your payments: Platinum Select and Platinum Prestige.

If you have a First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard, you’re not eligible for rewards.

Note that you only earn cash back with these rewards cards on payments, not on purchases. You won’t get cash back each time you buy something, but you will earn cash back when you pay your credit card bill. This makes it even more important to make your payments on time.

First Progress secured credit card benefits

Opening a secured card with First Progress gives you access to several benefits.

1

Reports to all three major credit bureaus

Equifax, Experian and TransUnion collect data related to your credit history, which is how banks and other lenders determine if you meet their requirements. First Progress reports to all three bureaus, making it easier to build a strong credit profile.

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2

No credit history required

First Progress offers credit cards for people with no credit, minimal credit and poor credit. Even if you’re denied by other companies, you may be approved by First Progress, giving you a second chance to get your finances in order.

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3

VantageScore® access

First Progress Rewards gives you access to your VantageScore, one of the scores lenders use to determine your creditworthiness. Remember that the Platinum Elite card isn’t eligible for the rewards program, so you won’t be able to access your VantageScore as a Platinum Elite member.

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4

Mobile app

First Progress has an easy-to-use mobile app, allowing you to manage your account from anywhere with an internet connection.

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5

Control over your credit line

With most credit cards, your credit limit depends on the issuer. First Progress allows you to deposit up to $2,000, giving you more control over the amount of credit you have available.

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6

Mastercard benefits

All three First Progress credit cards have the Mastercard logo, which means you can use them wherever Mastercard is accepted. You also get several security features offered by Mastercard, such as Zero Liability fraud protection.

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First Progress credit card fees, rates & limit

Before you apply for a credit card, make sure you know the interest rate, maximum credit limit and fees.

First Progress card fees

All three credit cards from First Progress have annual fees. The higher the fee, the lower your interest rate. 

Here’s how much you can expect to pay each year:

The issuer also charges a 3% fee on all foreign transactions. This fee applies to all three credit cards.

First Progress card interest rates

The Platinum Elite card has the highest rate: 25.24% variable on all purchases. For the Platinum Select, the regular APR is 19.24% variable. The Platinum Prestige, which has the highest annual fee, has an interest rate of 15.24% variable.

First Progress card annual limit

Your credit limit depends on how much money you deposit when you open your account. The initial limit ranges from $200 to $2,000. Fortunately, if you make your payments on time, you may be able to increase your limit to $5,000. Limit increases take place at the discretion of the issuer, so you may not be approved the first time you ask, but at least there’s the potential for a limit increase at some point.

Is a First Progress secured credit card right for me?

These credit cards are ideal if you’re building credit for the first time or if you’ve had a few financial problems and need a chance to rebuild your credit. 

First Progress cards also have some features that make them a better choice than other credit products. For example, many companies won’t increase the credit limit on a secured card. First Progress may raise your limit to $5,000 if you have the funds to increase your deposit, giving you more flexibility. Additionally, many secured cards aren’t cash-back credit cards, making First Progress stand out in a crowded marketplace.

A credit card from First Progress may not be right for you if you travel frequently, as those 3% foreign transaction fees can add up quickly. The more you pay in fees, the less you’ll have to spend on souvenirs and other travel expenses.

If you decide that First Progress is a good fit for your needs, review the terms of each card carefully. The Platinum Elite card has the lowest annual fee, so it’s ideal for users who plan to pay their credit card bills in full every month. If you pay in full, you won’t have to worry about having a high interest rate. If you think you’ll need to carry a balance, it may be worth applying for the Platinum Prestige card. It has the highest annual fee, but it also has the lowest interest rate. If you carry a balance, your account won’t accumulate as much interest over time. If rewards are a priority, then you’re better off with the Platinum Select or the Platinum Prestige.

If you’re not convinced that First Progress offers the best credit card for you to establish your credit history or recover from bad credit, these card reviews listed below may help you find one that better suits your needs.

How to apply for a First Progress secured credit card

It’s easy to get approved for a First Progress card since you don’t need to meet any minimum credit score requirements. Additionally, you don’t need a credit history to get approved, which means you can open a First Progress account even if you’ve never used credit before. 

The main requirement for account approval is the ability to make a deposit of $200 to $2,000. This refundable security deposit gives you access to a line of credit that you can use to buy groceries, dine out at restaurants and make other purchases.

You can apply for a First Progress credit card online. You’ll need to provide your personal information, agree to the terms and conditions, and fund your deposit.

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FAQ: First Progress credit cards

What is the First Progress annual limit?

When you open a First Progress account, you can choose a limit between $200 and $2,000. The limit depends on how much cash you have available to make a deposit.

How do I contact First Progress credit card customer service?

To contact customer service, call (866) 706-5543.

Does First Progress ever increase the credit limit?

Yes. If you maintain good financial habits, First Progress may be willing to increase your credit limit. To qualify for a limit increase, you must increase your deposit. The highest credit limit you can have is $5,000, no matter how well you manage your finances.

Does First Progress increase my credit score?

It depends on how you use it. First Progress reports to the major credit bureaus, so if you pay on time and avoid exceeding your limit, there’s a good chance you will increase your credit score. If you miss payments or go over the limit, you may hurt your score instead of improving it.

Remember that your credit score depends on several factors, such as the total amount of debt you have and your history of on-time payments. Even if you pay your First Progress bill on time, your score may go down if you miss a payment on a different credit card account or default on a mortgage, auto loan or personal loan.

Leigh Morgan
Leigh Morgan Personal Finance

Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.

In the last 5 years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.

In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.

* Opinions expressed here are those of the LA Times Compare Cards Team and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser or entities included within this content. See our editorial policy for more details.

All products or services are presented in this content without warranty. The information, including card details such as rates and fees, is accurate at the time of publish. Please visit each bank's website directly for the most current information.

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