First Phase Visa®: Unsecured Credit At a High Price

First Phase Visa® Credit Card Review

The First Phase Visa® is not meant to be your “forever” card, but it can be the stepping stone that will kick off your credit score journey into a brighter future. With this card, you may start building credit for the future you deserve.

A Brighter Financial Future

The journey to better credit can feel rocky if you’ve had no luck getting credit card approvals. The First Phase Visa® credit card may be the start to navigating your credit score into a better phase. The card intends to help those with less-than-perfect credit by delivering access to credit. No matter where your credit score stands, with the First Phase Visa® credit card, your approval odds may be greater.

Like most other credit cards, the First Phase Visa® helps build credit by reporting to major credit bureaus. With responsible use, any cardholder can be well on their way to building up their credit score for a better future.

How to Apply

The application process for the First Phase Visa® is simple. A three-step process: once approved, you can have your new card in as little as five to seven business days. Part of the application is a one-time Program Fee of $89 (if approved). While an $89 charge may not be ideal, there are also other fees to consider.

Here’s what you need to apply for First Phase:

• To be at least 18 years or older
• An acceptable debt-t0-income ratio
• Verification checks compliant with the USA PATRIOT Act.

Manage With Ease

High credit limits can bring about risky consequences. Sometimes, a higher credit limit can lead to overspending and not sticking to a budget, especially as a beginner credit cardholder. Similarly, a well-seasoned credit card user rebuilding their credit may fall short of practicing disciplined budgeting. The road to better credit may get bumpy if the discipline is not there.

However, the credit limit offered by the First Phase Visa® is manageable. If approved, the available credit limit can range anywhere between $300 to $1,000. With a smaller credit limit, cardholders can easily practice budgeting while not spending above their means. Staying disciplined with your budget and on-time payments is essential to evolving a subprime credit score into a prime score.

Other Fees

While the First Phase Visa® credit card opens a door for access to credit, it also comes with a few fees to consider before applying. Along with the $89 one-time Program Fee, card applicants should also expect to pay a $75 annual fee the first year ($48 annually afterward). There is also a $6.25 Monthly Servicing Fee that is waived in the first year. In other words, in the first year, a new applicant should expect to pay $164 in fees ($123 annually afterward).

Furthermore, this does not include fees associated with adding an authorized user ($29 annually per additional card), requesting a credit limit increase (25% of the increase amount), or requesting express card delivery ($35). The fees add up alongside a significantly higher interest rate offer than other “no credit” credit cards.

Above all, the card presents an alternative option for applicants who struggle with credit card approvals. However, other subprime credit cards serve similar individuals with significantly fewer fees. For instance, the Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card or the Boost Platinum Card offer lower APRs, fewer fees, and the opportunity to build or rebuild credit. You can explore similar credit cards here.

Additional card benefits include:

• No cash advance fees in the first year
• Automatic payments and reminders
• VISA Account Updater serves as an automated, dedicated, and secure clearinghouse

Other Options to Consider

Are you looking for an unsecured credit card for subprime credit? While the First Phase Visa is currently unavailable, other leading lenders offer several comparable offers. Here are four other card offers to consider:

Things to Consider Before Applying for the First Phase Visa

The First Phase Visa has several issues because the card is no longer available to new applicants.

Fees Galore

For starters, the card has an annual fee of $75 for the first year, then $48. That isn’t rare, with many subprime cards featuring an annual fee. Still, it’s a headache worth considering before you apply.

What makes the fees such a headache is the number of them. There’s an activation fee of $89 when opening an account and another fee for monthly maintenance after the first year. That monthly fee, $6.25 a month, is in addition to the $48 annual fee, making the card extremely expensive to live with daily.

Stiff Application Requirements

Despite being a card for severely damaged credit, the First Phase Visa features rather stringent requirements for applicants. The First Phase, for example, recommends fewer than two credit card applications in the previous six months, with further requirements for low credit use and debt. These rules are restrictive and may deny credit access to those who need it – namely, those with limited access to credit and, as a result, high credit utilization.

Not for Travel

Finally, you can’t use the First Phase Visa outside the United States. Some deep subprime cards feature the inability to use the card outside of the country or on foreign websites, so carefully read the full terms and conditions when considering any new credit card.

Visa Benefits

With the First Phase Visa® credit card, you as a cardholder will benefit from the benefits included with the Visa network:

Worry less with Visa’s Zero Liability policy – meaning you will not be held responsible for unauthorized charges on your credit card. Another protection tool Visa provides is LifeLock from Norton, which prevents identity theft by monitoring threats, trends, and data. With these Visa protection tools, you can stay empowered to live your digital life safely from credit card fraud.

Bank of Missouri Ratings

Here’s how the Bank of Missouri scores according to consumer and expert opinions:

Should You Apply for the First Phase Visa® Credit Card?

The First Phase Visa® credit card empowers cardholders to take hold of their future. Responsible use of the card opens the door to better credit. You may enjoy a manageable credit limit alongside Visa Identity Protection benefits for peace of mind. A less-than-perfect credit score doesn’t have to mean zero access to credit, thanks to the First Phase Visa’s® simple 3-step application process. While the card does introduce several fees and a high interest rate, it’s not built to be your “forever” card. The First Phase Visa® credit card is a stepping stone towards a brighter credit score.