Citi Secured Mastercard Credit Card Credit Card

Citi Secured Mastercard Credit Card

Last Updated: 02/25/2026

Rating
2.2 / 5
Sign Up Bonus
No Welcome Bonus
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Score
Secured

Summary

Sign-Up Bonus
0
Spending Multipliers
0
Credits & Features
0
Fees
4.5
Application
3.5
Issuer
5

The Citi Secured Mastercard from Citibank is a no-annual-fee secured credit card designed specifically for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history with responsible use. Ideal for credit newcomers or consumers recovering from past credit challenges, the Citi Secured Mastercard requires a refundable security deposit and offers standard features like the ability to choose your payment due date for easier budgeting and an ID Theft Protection program offered by Mastercard for added peace of mind. While it doesn’t include a welcome bonus, spending multipliers, or travel perks, and has a 3% foreign transaction fee, this card’s primary benefit is helping users establish a positive payment record with a major issuer. If you’re focused on improving your credit score and want a straightforward, low-cost card to demonstrate creditworthiness, the Citi Secured Mastercard is a strong foundational choice before qualifying for unsecured rewards cards.

Pros

Check mark
No annual fee

Cons

Negative sign
No welcome bonus
Negative sign
No spending multipliers
Negative sign
3% foreign transaction fee

Issuer

Citi, founded in 1812 as First National City Bank, boasts a rich history of banking innovations and global leadership. Operating in nearly 160 countries with a localized presence in 95, Citi offers a diverse range of financial products, including credit cards, checking accounts, loans, and wealth management. With a customer-centric approach, Citi targets various segments, from low-income earners to high-income professionals, emphasizing innovation to simplify financial goals. The bank, with $2.6 trillion in total assets and $168 billion in annual revenue in 2025, maintains financial stability. Citi's commitment to technology is evident in its longstanding focus on innovation labs and leveraging advancements. Philanthropy and corporate social responsibility are integral to Citi's ethos, with initiatives like the Citi Foundation promoting economic progress and supporting education. Citi operates about 670 branches in the US but prioritizes online banking. Upholding values of integrity and responsibility, Citi aims to be a trusted partner in providing responsible financial services. As an FDIC-insured institution, Citi aligns its actions with regulatory compliance.

Spending Multipliers

N/A

Credits & Features

Choose your payment due date
ID Theft Protection program offered by Mastercard

Application

  • Citi has a strict 8/65 rule, meaning you can only apply for 1 Citi card every 8 days and at most 2 Citi cards every 65 days
  • Number of hard pulls have a huge impact on Citi applications, consider having less than 6 hard pulls in the past 6 months
  • No credit history required

Fees

  • No Annual Fee
  • 3% Foreign Transaction Fee
  • Up to $41 late fee
  • Up to $41 return payment fee
  • 25.99% APR
  • 29.74% APR for Cash Advance
  • $10 or 5% of each cash advance amount (whichever is greater)
  • 25.99% APR for Balance Transfer
  • $5 or 5% of each transfer amount (whichever is greater)
See Full and Updated Rate & Fee Schedule During Application Process