First Digital Mastercard® Credit Card
The First Digital Mastercard® is an unsecured card that gives people with poor credit a second chance without needing a deposit or perfect credit. It’s widely accepted and easy to get approved for, comes with steep fees and a very high interest rate, making it a great if used as credit-building tool; it’s not worth keeping it long term.
Card Details
- Card Type: Unsecured credit-building Mastercard® (no deposit required)
- Issuer: Synovus Bank, Member FDIC (First Digital’s issuing bank)
- Credit Limit: Starts around $300 (does not increase over time)
- Approval Requirements: Designed for poor credit; a checking account is required for approval
- Credit Reporting: Reports monthly to all 3 major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
- Rewards: 1% cash back on payments (you earn rewards only when you pay down your balance)
- Fees:
- One-time Program Fee: $95 (charged before the account is opened)
- Annual Fee: $75 for the first year, then $48 each year after
- Monthly Servicing Fee: $0 during the first year; $8.25 per month ($99 annually) starting 2nd year
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
About The Card
The First Digital Mastercard® is designed for people with very poor or limited credit who need a second chance. Unlike secured cards, it doesn’t require an upfront deposit, which makes it accessible if you don’t have extra cash to tie up. Approval is quick, often near-instant, even for applicants with past credit issues or very low scores. To activate the account, you’ll pay a one-time program fee, then receive a small credit line (around $300) that works anywhere Mastercard is accepted domestically. Your payment history is reported monthly to all three major credit bureaus, so responsible use can help you gradually rebuild your score.
That accessibility comes with steep costs. Beyond the program fee, there are ongoing annual and monthly servicing fees, plus one of the highest fixed APRs on the market — so carrying a balance is extremely expensive. The card does include a unique perk: 1% cash back on payments (not purchases), which you can redeem after six months of account activity. Rewards never expire, but given the low credit limit and heavy fees, it’s more symbolic than substantial. In short, First Digital can help you rebuild credit when other issuers won’t approve you, but it’s best seen as a temporary tool — useful if you have no other options, but too costly to rely on long term.
Pros
- Accessible Approval: Designed for people with poor or limited credit, First Digital doesn’t require a high score and may even skip a hard credit check.
- No Security Deposit: Unlike secured cards, this card is unsecured — you keep your cash, though you’ll pay fees instead.
- Builds Credit History: Reports monthly to all three bureaus, helping you establish positive credit history.
- Wide Acceptance & Fast Setup: As a Mastercard, it works nearly everywhere in the U.S. with quick online approval.
- 1% Cash Back on Payments: A rare feature for a subprime card, you earn 1% back when you make payments. Rewards post after six months and never expire.
- Tools & Features: Includes mobile app, free Experian VantageScore®, option to add authorized users (for a fee), and standard Mastercard protections like zero fraud liability.
Cons
- Heavy Fees: $95 program fee upfront, $75 annual fee first year, then $48 annually plus $8.25/month starting year two.
- Very High APR: Among the highest on the market, making carrying a balance extremely costly.
- Low Credit Limit: Starts around $300, reduced by fees, leaving little available credit.
- Extra Charges Everywhere: Fees for authorized users, limit increases, rushed payments, and cash advances.
- Minimal Rewards: Only 1% back on payments, not purchases.
- Usage Restrictions: Not valid at fuel pumps, foreign merchants, or outside the U.S.
- Checking Account Required: Must have a checking account to qualify.
Is this card for me?
The First Digital Mastercard® is meant for people with severely damaged or no credit who can’t qualify for other cards — even many secured ones. It’s a last-resort tool to get an unsecured card without a deposit, build credit through consistent reporting, and take advantage of easy approval. But this access comes at a price: high fees, a tiny limit, and punishing interest. If you can qualify for a secured card, that path is usually cheaper and safer. First Digital works only if you’re prepared to use it sparingly, pay in full every month, and move on once your credit improves. It’s a short-term bridge, not a card to keep long term.
