First Progress credit cards are good financial resources for building or rebuilding credit. As they’re all credit cards that don’t require a credit check to qualify, First Progress cards are widely available, even to borrowers with negative credit histories.
Read on to learn more about what the First Progress credit card has to offer and what distinguishes the three card options.
Table of Contents
What is a First Progress Secured Credit Card?
A First Progress secured credit card is a Mastercard issued by Synovus Bank that requires a security deposit and offers a credit limit equal to what you put down. There are three types of First Progress credit cards:
- First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
- First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
- First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
First Progress credit cards are aimed at no-credit or bad-credit borrowers who want to build their credit but can’t easily qualify for other cards. As no credit check is required to qualify for a First Progress credit card, no hard inquiry will be performed during the approval process.
In addition to easy approval, First Progress credit cards offer flexible credit limits, cash advances, and monthly credit reporting to help you build credit quickly.
However, all the First Progress secured cards have annual fees and lack rewards, welcome bonuses, or the ability to upgrade to a secured card.
What’s the Difference Between First Progress Credit Cards?
The three varieties of First Progress credit cards are remarkably similar. They’re all secured credit cards that offer the same benefits (like credit reporting), the same initial credit limit of $200–$2,000, and the same approval odds. The key differences between the First Progress credit cards are their annual fees and APR.
Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between the First Progress credit cards:
Comparing First Progress Secured Credit Cards
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Regular APR | Cash Advance APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prestige | $49 | 9.99% | 18.99% |
| Select | $39 | 13.99% | 19.99% |
| Elite | $29 | 19.99% | 24.99% |
First Progress Credit Card Important Details
For a detailed review of each First Progress secured credit card, click the credit card name below.
Should I Get a First Progress Credit Card?
FinanceJar verdict
You should consider getting a First Progress credit card if you have a poor or limited borrowing history and worry you won’t easily qualify for another credit card. If you’re willing to put down a minimum deposit of $200 and pay an annual fee of $29–$49, a First Progress card can be a valuable tool in helping you build good credit.
Keep in mind that this card doesn’t offer rewards and comes at an annual cost, so if your credit score qualifies you for better credit cards, consider looking at alternatives. Here are some options you can explore:
Who is a First Progress credit card for?
First Progress credit cards are suited to the following types of borrowers:
- Borrowers with limited credit history: Having no credit history puts a lot of borrowers at a disadvantage when applying for new lines of credit. If you haven’t established a borrowing history and want to build credit, a First Progress credit card is a great place to start.
- Anyone with a discharged bankruptcy: Certain negative marks on your credit report, like a discharged bankruptcy, can disqualify you from opening credit cards or securing loans. As First Progress credit cards don’t require a credit check, even applicants with poor borrowing histories can qualify.
- Formerly incarcerated individuals: If you’re formerly incarcerated and ready for a fresh financial start, your legal history won’t disqualify you from opening a First Progress secured line of credit. If you’re ready to rebuild your credit, a First Progress credit card is a good financial tool for the formerly incarcerated.
FAQs About First Progress Credit Cards
1. Which First Progress secured credit card should I get?
As the differences between First Progress credit cards are annual fees and interest rates, which card is right for you depends on how likely you are to carry a balance or withdraw money from an ATM (i.e., cash advance) using your First Progress credit card.
You should get a First Progress Platinum Prestige if you …
- Frequently carry a balance from month to month
- Often withdraw money from ATMs using a credit card
You should get a First Progress Platinum Select if you …
- Might leave a balance on your card every once in a while
- Will potentially withdraw money from an ATM using a credit card
You should get a First Progress Platinum Elite if you …
- Will pay your balance in full each month
- Won’t withdraw money from an ATM using your credit card
2. How do I apply for a First Progress credit card?
You can apply for a First Progress credit card online. Applications usually take 7 to 10 business days to process. If you want your application processed in 3 to 5 business days, you can pay $19.95 to speed up processing.
You can check the status of your First Progress application online or call customer service at (866) 706-5543 to ask about the progress of your application.
3. Where can I use my First Progress credit card?
You can use your First Progress credit card anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
4. How do I pay my First Progress credit card bill?
There are three ways to pay a First Progress credit card bill:
- Online
- By calling (866) 706-5543
- By mailing* a check
Mail your First Progress credit card payment to the following address:
First Progress Card
P.O. Box 84091
Columbus, GA 31908-4091
