Card Options for Bad Credit

Having a history of bad credit isn't a good scenario. Yet, the majority of Americans are overburdened with credit debt and many carry the debt for several years. The debt may be in the form of credit card debt, a car loan, a student loan, or a mortgage. Regardless of the type of debt, most are dealing with an increasing amount of it every month.

If for some reason, someone is unable to repay these debts within a pre-determined period, he may find himself with a limited number of options for dealing with the problem. After all, not many lending institutions are willing to lend money to someone who has a dubious repayment history. But there are card options out there for people with poor credit or even outright bad credit.

Reasons for Falling Behind in Debt

In the majority of cases, people don't fall behind with their debts on purpose. Instead, events occur during the life of an individual that may cause this. Unforeseeable events like a devastating natural disaster, for example, can ruin the long-term financial plans of a person or a family. Take the victims of Hurricane Katrina. What could they do after they lost all their property? It's highly probable that only a few fortunate victims had adequate insurance coverage to cover the extensive damage, but what about the rest? Should they be condemned and tossed out of the credit system, unable to use credit until they have proven that they are credit worthy again?

Something like proving your worth after a terrible and unforeseen tragedy could take years, or even decades, to accomplish. Yet, it really doesn't make sense to leave such a large group of people out of the credit circuit, particularly if they are truly willing to repay their debts.

Taking Advantage of Special Needs Credit Cards

Fortunately, this market niche is seen as a business opportunity by many financial institutions that are willing to invest in it. And this isn't a small group of companies either. As a matter of fact, there are numerous financial institutions that are quite eager to offer credit to those who aren't able to obtain it through the normal channels.

First PREMIER Bank's Gold MasterCard

One such credit card product is the First PREMIER Gold MasterCard issued by First PREMIER Bank. This financial entity has won several awards during its existence. According to its advertisements, its sole purpose is to serve its clients - even in the hardest times. Although the card has a low APR and is perfect for individuals with a bad credit, it has several fees that are not commonly found in traditional credit cards. For example, there is a fee of $29 for setting up the account, another monthly fee of $6, and an annual fee of $48. All of these fees and charges are in place in order to help protect the bank because of the higher probability of repayment default on extending credit to those considered to be a much greater credit risk.

Orchard Bank's Platinum Credit Card

The Orchard Bank's Platinum credit card is another excellent option for people with a bad credit history. Issued as a Platinum MasterCard, it has an average APR of around 15% and an annual fee of anywhere between $39 - $59. The annual fee and APR are fairly low when compared to other credit cards geared toward individuals with a bad credit history. Another advantage (and an important consideration for individuals with bad credit) is that the bank makes monthly reports to the 3 credit bureaus, improving your credit status little by little, which is the whole point of having the card in the first place.

New Millennium Bank's Platinum Visa or MasterCard

The motto of the New Millennium Bank is "...a new age in banking service," and they are really doing whatever they can to make this possible. This community bank offers the Platinum Visa or MasterCard credit card, with an APR of 19.5%, an annual fee of $59, and several other side benefits - something that isn't very common in the kind of market.

First Bank of Delaware's Imagine Gold MasterCard

Finally, there is the Imagine Gold MasterCard. Issued by the First Bank of Delaware, this card is available with an APR of 19.5% and an annual fee of $150. They offer a guaranteed $300 credit line and make credit increases as you establish your repayment history over time.

These aren't the only companies that are available in the market. There are several more out there that are willing to help a n individual with poor credit. Although the previously mentioned ones are among the best, it is possible to obtain credit cards with similar benefits and possibly even lower fees and corresponding APR's. Just take the time to shop around and be aware of your credit score so you can find the most suitable card for you and your needs.