Editorial confidence (30%), cost (25%), value (25%), accessibility (20%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation.
At a glance
Deposit minimum: $200 (Refundable security deposit (per Citi, Jun 2026))
APR: Variable ~26%–28% (Verify at citi.com — rates change frequently)
Annual fee: $0 (No annual fee (per Citi, Jun 2026))
Graduation: 18-month review (Product-change review after 18 months (per Citi, Jun 2026))
Who Citi® Secured Mastercard® is best for
Applicants who want to build credit over an 18-month runway with a major-bank issuer.
Pros
No annual fee; $200 minimum deposit (per Citi, Jun 2026)
Worldwide acceptance — Mastercard network
Free FICO score access through Citi online account
Reports to all three major credit bureaus
Path to upgrade to a standard Citi unsecured card after 18 months
Cons
18-month graduation window is longer than Discover (7 months) or Capital One (6 months)
No rewards on purchases
No automatic graduation — requires active request to Citi
Citi® Secured Mastercard® requirements
Minimum deposit: $200 refundable security deposit (per Citi, Jun 2026)
Recommended profile: Thin-file or rebuilding applicants — no minimum credit score stated
Residency: U.S. residents 18+
US residents 18+
No minimum credit score stated — designed for thin-file or rebuilding applicants
Citi® Secured Mastercard® rates & fees
Citi® Secured Mastercard® has no annual fee and a variable APR in the approximately 26%–28% range. A $200 minimum refundable security deposit is required.
Citi® Secured Mastercard® — 18-month credit-building window with a path to unsecured Citi cards. Best for: Applicants who want to build credit over an 18-month runway with a major-bank issuer.. Compare it against alternatives before applying; the right fit depends on your situation, credit, and goals.
Questions about Citi® Secured Mastercard®
How long does it take to graduate from the Citi Secured Mastercard?
Per Citi (verified June 3, 2026, at citi.com): after 18 months of on-time payments, Citi may offer a product change to an unsecured card and return your security deposit. Unlike Discover and Capital One, Citi does not conduct automatic reviews — you should contact Citi to request a product change at the 18-month mark. Verify current graduation policies at citi.com before applying.
Does the Citi Secured Mastercard report to all three bureaus?
Yes — per Citi (verified June 3, 2026): the Citi Secured Mastercard reports account activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Consistent on-time payment history and low utilization (under 10% of your credit limit) are the two behaviors that will drive score improvement, per CFPB guidance at consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/.
Is ClearValue Lending a bank or card issuer?
No. ClearValue Lending is not a bank, card issuer, lender, or financial advisor. Citi® Secured Mastercard® is issued and operated by Citibank, N.A. APRs, deposit requirements, annual fees, and terms are determined solely by Citibank and may change — verify current terms at citi.com before applying.
How we rate
Every pick gets a 1–5 ClearValue Rating computed from four weighted factors: Editorial confidence (30%), Cost (25%), Value (25%), and Accessibility (20%).
Scored consistently across every product and independent of any compensation. Full methodology →
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