Quick Facts
- Card type
- Secured credit card
- What it is
- Secured credit card marketplace (CB Card LLC)
- Card shown on application
- First Latitude Elite Secured Mastercard
- Issuer
- Pinnacle Bank; serviced by First Latitude Card
- Security deposit
- $200 minimum, refundable
- Credit limit
- Equals your deposit ($200, or $300–$2,000); up to $5,000 over time
- Annual fee
- $29
- Purchase APR
- 23.74% variable (as of Oct 6, 2026)
- Cash advance APR
- 28.74% variable
- Reports to
- Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, per Credit Builder Card
- Credit check
- No hard inquiry at application, per Credit Builder Card
- Credit Karma reviews
- 124 reviews (verified Oct 29, 2026)
- Trustpilot
- No Trustpilot rating available
- Eligibility
- 18+ (19 in AL and NE), valid SSN, U.S. state resident; active bankruptcy may be declined
Overview
Credit Builder Card is an online secured-card matching service operated by CB Card LLC, not a bank or card issuer. Its featured offer is the First Latitude Elite Secured Mastercard. The card uses a refundable security deposit starting at $200 to secure a revolving credit line and carries a $29 annual fee. Check the precise issuing-bank and rate disclosures during your application because offers and variable APRs can change.
Who It May Be Best For
People with limited or damaged credit history who want a real secured Mastercard, can afford to set aside at least $200, and intend to keep their balance low and pay statements in full.
Who May Want Another Option
People unable to tie up $200 in a security deposit, people seeking a secured card without an annual fee, or people expecting to carry balances should compare other cards or non-card credit builders before applying.
How It Works
Apply through Credit Builder Card's matching site. If the issuing bank approves you, you fund a minimum $200 security deposit held in a non-interest-bearing account. Your starting limit generally matches the deposit. A $29 annual fee is assessed after account opening and reduces initially available credit: with a $200 limit, that leaves $171 available before any other charges. You make purchases and pay the card bill; the deposit is collateral, not a monthly payment or a savings account. Deposit refunds follow the cardholder/deposit agreement after the account closes and remaining obligations are settled.
Pricing and Fees
For the featured First Latitude Elite Secured Mastercard, according to Pinnacle Bank's disclosures (rates as of October 6, 2026): $200 minimum refundable security deposit; $29 annual fee; 23.74% variable purchase APR (Prime + 16.74%); 28.74% variable cash-advance APR (Prime + 21.74%). Cash-advance fee: greater of $10 or 3%; foreign transaction fee: 3%; late-payment fee: up to $41; returned-payment fee: up to $30; minimum interest charge: $1.50. Optional premium card design: up to $10. Paying the full statement balance by the due date can avoid purchase interest under the grace-period rules; cash advances accrue interest immediately. Variable APRs and terms may change, so confirm the actual disclosures provided during your application.
Credit Bureau Reporting
First Latitude states that it reports to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. On-time payment history and low balances may help establish credit, while missed payments or high utilization can hurt. Reporting timing and score outcomes are not guaranteed.
Eligibility
Issuer terms require generally age 18 or older (19 in Alabama and Nebraska), U.S. state residency and a valid Social Security number unless otherwise specified. No minimum credit score is advertised, but approval is not guaranteed; the bank verifies identity, income and application data and may decline applications. The application may involve a soft credit inquiry; verify the actual disclosures.
Important Limitations
The $200+ deposit ties up cash in a non-interest-bearing collateral account. The annual fee can reduce initially available credit, and the variable APR makes carrying a balance costly. There is no guarantee of approval or a particular credit-score increase. Rewards advertised as 'up to 10%' are limited to participating merchants and subject to separate terms; they are not a flat 10% cash-back rate. The card or issuer offered may vary by state. Check current disclosures before providing a deposit.
Alternatives
Compare secured cards with no annual fee and credit-builder accounts such as Kikoff or installment-style builders such as Kovo. These products are not interchangeable: some create revolving credit, others installment history, and they have different costs and requirements.
Final Summary
Credit Builder Card may help someone find a secured Mastercard that reports to the three major credit bureaus, without a stated minimum credit score requirement. Its main drawbacks are the minimum $200 deposit, $29 annual fee and a potentially expensive variable APR. It fits best when the deposit is affordable, the card will be paid on time and in full, and the applicant reviews the current issuer terms before acceptance.
Pros
- Minimum advertised deposit of $200; deposit is generally refundable under the card agreement
- Issuer says it reports to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion
- No minimum credit score advertised for applying
- Mastercard acceptance for eligible purchases
Cons
- $29 annual fee even if no interest is charged
- At least $200 must be tied up as collateral
- Variable APR can make carried balances expensive
- Rewards promotions have restrictions; approval and score changes are not guaranteed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Credit Builder Card a bank?
No. Credit Builder Card is a matching service. The featured First Latitude Elite Secured Mastercard is issued by Pinnacle Bank (dba Synovus Bank) under the issuing bank's terms.
How much is the security deposit?
The starting refundable deposit is $200 and generally sets your credit limit. It is held as collateral, not a fee, and refund timing and any deductions are governed by the issuing bank's agreement.
How much of a $200 limit can I use initially?
The $29 annual fee is posted after opening and reduces available credit. The issuer's disclosure gives $171 as the initially available credit on a $200 line, before other charges.
Does this card report to all three credit bureaus?
The provider advertises reporting to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Reporting timing and score impact vary.
What is the APR?
According to the issuing bank's disclosure dated October 6, 2026, the purchase APR is 23.74% variable and the cash-advance APR is 28.74% variable. Rates can change with Prime; confirm the disclosure shown when applying.
Does approval or on-time payment guarantee a higher score?
No. Approval depends on the issuing bank's requirements. Credit-score effects depend on your complete credit history, balances, payment behavior and scoring model.
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