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First Access Visa® Credit Card review

This card could help build your credit, but be wary of high APR and annual fees.

  • Get this card if you want a subprime unsecured card.
  • Pick something else if you don’t want to pay heavy fees or if you want a lower APR.
  • You can apply for this card if you’re rebuilding credit.
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Kevin Joey Chen

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Kliment Dukovski
Last Updated

$75

Annual fee

for the first year ($48 thereafter)

34.99%

Purchase APR (fixed)

300

Recommended credit score

Details

Annual fee$75 intro annual fee for the first year ($48 thereafter)
Annual fee conditions$95 one-time fee, $75 first-year annual fee, $48 annual fee after the first year, $8.25 monthly servicing fee ($99 annually)
Welcome offerN/A
RewardsN/A
Purchase APR34.99% fixed
Balance transfer APRN/A
Minimum Credit Score300
IssuerVisa
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Review by

Kevin Joey Chen was a credit cards, banking and investments writer for Finder. His work and analysis have appeared on CNN, U.S. News & World Report, Business.com, Lifehacker and CreditCards.com.

Expert review

The First Access Visa® Credit Card is an unsecured credit card for building credit. But it’s expensive: You’ll pay an $95 one-time program fee, plus a $75 first-year annual fee and $48 for each following year. On top of that, you’ll pay a $6.25 monthly servicing fee starting the second year, which comes out to $75 annually.

Also, note that carrying a balance can hurt, as the card has a sky-high 34.99% fixed purchase and cash advance APR.

Most of these costs aren’t necessary to get a credit card. That’s why it’s wise to avoid the First Access Visa® Credit Card in the vast majority of circumstances. In most cases, you’d be better off opening a secured card instead. This requires you to put down a security deposit, but you can get this deposit back when you close your card.

By using a secured card responsibly and diligently making payments, you can steadily increase your credit score and later qualify for better cards — ones without eye-watering fees.

How to apply for the First Access Visa® Credit Card

To apply for the card, you must be at least 18 years old.

  1. Select Apply now.
  2. Fill out the application with details like your name, contact information, financial information and residential status.
  3. Review your application and submit it.

What credit score do I need?

The Bank of Missouri doesn’t specify a minimum credit score to qualify for this card. However, it states the card “does not require perfect credit for approval.” It aims for consumers with average and below-average credit scores.

Apply now

What to watch out for

  • Checking account required.
    You need to have an active checking account if you want to apply for this card.
  • Very high APR.
    You’ll receive a high fixed 34.99% variable APR on all balances. The card already comes with many fees, so try paying off your balance in full monthly to avoid accruing debt.
  • Program fee.
    When you open your account, you’ll pay a one-time program fee of $95 — not uncommon among subprime unsecured cards.
  • Annual fee.
    You’ll pay an annual fee of $75 for the first year and $48 from the second year onward. Once the annual fee of $75 is charged, you’ll have $225 available credit limit. Make sure to pay off your annual fee as soon as possible to free up your credit limit.
  • Monthly servicing fee.
    For the first year, you won’t pay any monthly servicing fees, but starting from your second year, expect to pay $6.25 servicing fee monthly. Over one year, that comes out to $75. Add in the annual fee of $48 and your total fees to own the card from the second year climb to $123 annually.
Apply now

First Access Visa® Credit Card benefits

  • Build credit.
    The First Access Visa® Credit Card reports to all three major credit bureaus, helping you build credit when you use your card and pay your bill on time.
  • $300 initial credit limit.
    Once you’re approved for the card, you’ll get an unsecured credit limit of $300. After six months of responsible card use, you can request a higher credit limit, though approval is not guaranteed.

Compare secured credit cards

If this card isn’t right for you, consider other secured credit cards on the market. Consider if the factors such as annual fees, security deposit requirements and if the card comes with any additional perks you might find useful.

1 - 3 of 11
Name Product Filter values Minimum deposit required Purchase APR Annual fee Minimum Credit Score
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
$49, $99 or $200
26.99% variable
$0
New to credit
A no-annual-fee secured card that separates itself from the pack with a $200 credit limit after making a more affordable than average deposit of $49, $99 or $200.
Apply now
View details
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Starting at $200
26.99% variable
$0
300
No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back. See if you're approved in seconds.
Apply now
View details
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Starting at $200
18.89% variable
$35
300
Apply for this card with no credit check if you're new to credit or have bad credit.
Apply now
View details
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Compare up to 4 providers

Bottom line

The First Access Visa® Credit Card comes with a significant price tag. Before shelling out the money for it, consider opening a secured credit card instead. You’ll need to put an upfront deposit of $200 or more, but you’ll avoid many of the fees associated with subprime unsecured cards, including the annual fee.

Images: First Access

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26 Comments

  1. Default Gravatar
    Harold
    September 19, 2019

    Can I use my first access to buy a money order

    Reply
    • Default Gravatar
      nikkiangco
      September 20, 2019

      Hi Harold,

      Thanks for your message. Generally, yes, some merchants may allow you to buy a cash advance with a credit card, but it can be expensive. To get more information on this, it would be best to contact First Access Card.

      Hope this helps and feel free to reach out to us again for further assistance.

      Best,
      Nikki

      Reply
  2. Default Gravatar
    Travis
    September 11, 2019

    Will I get instant access to my card number?

    Reply
    • Default Gravatar
      nikkiangco
      September 12, 2019

      Hi Travis,

      Thanks for your question. As soon as your card is approved, First Access will send your card and you will be able to use it immediately

      Hope this helps!

      Best,
      Nikki

      Reply
  3. Default Gravatar
    Brandie
    April 25, 2018

    Once I make my card payment when are the funds available on the card?

    Reply
    • Avatarfinder Customer Care
      Rich
      April 25, 2018

      Hi Brandie.

      Thanks for posting on Finder.

      Card payments usually take 1 to 2 business days to post. You may use the card once the payment has been posted. The fastest way to check if the payment is already good on the bank’s end is to call them directly.

      Regards,

      Rich

      Reply
  4. Default Gravatar
    Lil
    February 27, 2018

    How long does it take to get a credit line increase ???

    Reply
    • Avatarfinder Customer Care
      robellynnenrile
      March 5, 2018

      Hello Lil K,

      Thank you for your inquiry. With the First Access Visa® Card, a $300 minimum credit upon opening and that increases by request after six months if account is in good standing and does not exceed the limit.

      Hope this helps. Should you have further questions or clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

      Best Regards,
      Robyn

      Reply
  5. Default Gravatar
    Kathy
    December 4, 2017

    I have my card but trying to make payments for the fee and can’t seem to get that accomplished.

    Reply
    • Avatarfinder Customer Care
      Rench
      December 4, 2017

      Hi Kathy,

      Thanks for your inquiry. Please note that we are not affiliated with First Access or any company we feature on our site and so we can only offer you general advice.

      If you are referring to your payment for your first access card. It would be best to visit First Access official site or call them directly in order to know all the payment options you have.

      Kind regards,
      Rench

      Reply
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