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Bellwether Smart Rate Card review
Last updated:
A credit-building card with potentially low-interest rates.
- Get this card if you want to build credit while paying low APR.
- Pick something else if you want to earn rewards.
- Apply with a fair credit score of 630 or higher for best chances of approval.
$0
Annual fee
1.99%
Intro purchase APR
for the first 12 billing cycles (then 8.99% to 18.99% variable)
0%
Intro balance transfer
for the first 12 billing cycles (then 8.99% to 18.99% variable)
8.99% to 18.99%
Balance transfer APR (variable)
Details
| Product Name | Bellwether Smart Rate Card |
|---|---|
| Card type | Visa |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase APR | 1.99% intro for the first 12 billing cycles (then 8.99% to 18.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 12 billing cycles (then 8.99% to 18.99% variable) |
| Cash advance rate | 8.99% to 18.99% variable |
| Cash advance fee | $10 or 4% of the cash advance amount, whichever is greater |
| Penalty APR | 24.99% variable |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2% of the transaction value |
| Interest free period | Up to 25 days |
| Late payment fee | Up to $35 |
| Returned payment fee | Up to $27 |
Expert review
Review by
Kliment Dukovski
kliment.dukovski@findercrew.comKliment Dukovski is a credit cards writer. He's written over 600 articles to help readers find and compare the best credit cards. Kliment has also written on money transfers, home loans and more. Previously, he ghostwrote guides and articles on foreign exchange, stock market trading and cryptocurrencies.
Expert review
The Bellwether Smart Rate Card can help you build your credit, while paying relatively low-interest rates. There’s also a 0% balance transfer offer for the first 12 billing cycles, which can help you consolidate your debt. But other than that, there’s not much going for the card.
There are even better secured cards that can help you build credit and even earn rewards on your purchases. For example, with the Bank of America® Cash Rewards Secured you can earn up to 3% cash back on your purchases.
How to apply for the Bellwether Smart Rate Card Card
You can apply for the card in person at a bank branch or online. Here’s how:
- Visit the BCCU website.
- Click Borrow at the top menu and select Bellwether VISA Cards.
- Find the Smart Rate Card and click Apply now.
- Fill out the application form.
- Review the application and submit.
What credit score do I need?
For best chances of approval, apply with a fair credit score of 630 or higher.
Bellwether Smart Rate Card Card benefits
- Intro APR period on purchases. Get a 1.99% intro APR period on purchases during your first 12 billing cycles when you open your account, and a variable 8.99% to 18.99% thereafter.
- Intro APR period on balance transfers. Get 12 billing cycles of 0% intro APR period on balance transfers, and a variable 8.99% to 18.99% after that.
- No annual fee. There’s no annual fee with this card.
What to watch out for
- Balance transfer fees. Any balance transfer you make during the 0% intro APR period will cost you 4% of the amount. After the 0% intro APR period expires, there are no balance transfer fees.
- Foreign transaction fees. There’s a 2% foreign transaction fee for purchases made abroad or online with foreign merchants.
Compare secured credit cards
Bottom line
The Bellwether Smart Rate Card Card offers potentially low-interest rates and a long 0% intro APR period on balance transfers, while helping you build credit at the same time. This isn’t bad, but you may get a better value with other credit-building cards.