A practical secured card that helps you rebuild without a steep price tag
First Progress Select Secured Mastercard is a card designed for entry level borrowers looking to establish or rebuild credit history. It's a secured card, which means your line of credit is tied to a refundable deposit. The minimum you can secure with is $200, and you can increase that limit up to $2,000 with a higher deposit. The card carries an annual fee of $39, and it is issued by Pinnacle Bank. These structural choices create a predictable framework for someone who wants to participate in responsible card use without a big upfront commitment.
On rewards, the card offers a mix that is unusual for secured products. You can Earn Up To 10% Cash Back on everyday shopping with your First Progress Card, plus another 1% back on payments!^^ The catch is that the 10% cash back applies only at a limited number of participating merchants, and the exact percentages can vary by merchant. If you typically pay your balance in full or near full each cycle, the benefit can feel meaningful in small, day-to-day purchases, but it is not a universal perk across all merchants.
Another practical note: applying may not trigger a hard inquiry. The card signals that you can Apply with no impact to your credit!² A soft inquiry may be used as part of the process, which is a plus if you are monitoring multiple applications. It is still worth sorting out whether a given inquiry will appear on your profile in the way a hard pull would. The disclosures page covers important details and disclosures for the complete offer*
Rebuilding credit with this card means leaning into discipline. The deposit to establish your line is a tangible commitment, and the program allows a refundable security deposit to secure your line, from $200 to $2,000. The deposit is the backbone of the card's credit line feature; it unlocks access with a plan that many people find approachable when they are navigating credit for the first time or after past challenges.
As a product offered through Pinnacle Bank, the card is positioned as a pathway rather than a luxury. It belongs to a family of secured cards with the aim of gradually expanding your credit picture. The categories listed—Secured Credit Cards, Cards to Improve Credit, Bad Credit, Fair Credit, No Credit / New to Credit, Online Approval, Recently Declined for Credit, Cash Back, Rewards—underline that the card is designed for breadth of use and flexibility. The practical takeaway is that the card is not merely a rewards card but a small stepping stone into credit management with a built-in cap on risk via the deposit requirement.
Key considerations at a glance
- The annual fee is $39, a visible ongoing cost to own the card.
- The refundable deposit starts at $200 and can be up to $2,000, which sets your available credit as you begin.
- The rewards structure includes a potential 10% cash back on select purchases and 1% back on payments, with the merchant participation caveat noted above.^^
- A soft inquiry option exists that may appear during this process, which is a subtler route to opening a card.²
- Issued by Pinnacle Bank, with coverage across three major credit reporting agencies to capture your activity.¹
| Key detail |
Specification |
| Annual Fee |
$39 |
| Minimum refundable deposit |
$200.00 |
| Deposit range |
$200.00 up to $2,000.00* |
| Credit Line limit |
Up to $2,000.00 |
| Issued by |
Pinnacle Bank |
All in all, First Progress Select Secured Mastercard offers a straightforward, low friction path for someone looking to establish or rebuild a credit history without getting in over the head with a high annual fee or a large initial line. The combination of a modest annual fee, a deposit-based credit line, and a reward structure that includes a cash back component is a workable blend for a careful user who can manage a balance and take advantage of the rewards on everyday spending. It is not a high end rewards card, but it is not just a far away dream either. The decision comes down to how you view the balance between ongoing costs and potential reward upside, and how much you value a built-in route toward reporting activity to multiple credit bureaus.
Why this card could fit your wallet
If you are comfortable with a secured card and you want a structured limit that grows with your deposit, this product fits that model. The deposit scale means you have a predictable path to a higher credit line by adding more funds, while the annual fee remains a clear recurring cost. The rewards offer adds a practical itch worth scratching for small daily purchases, especially if you can take advantage of the higher 10% tier with merchants that participate. The option of a soft inquiry can be helpful if you are applying to more than one card and want to minimize possible hard pulls. The emphasis on building history across Equifax, Experian and TransUnion helps ensure that timely reporting can be captured across multiple agencies, which is a meaningful advantage in a construct like secured cards.
Ultimately, this is a card for the wallet that favors discipline over excess. If you plan to keep balances low, pay on time, and treat the card as a stepping stone rather than a free route to rewards, you may find this product to be a reliable ally on your path.
Steady steps toward a sharper financial footing
Choosing this card means committing to a practical approach that values structure and gradual progress. If you want a transparent path with a modest fee, a refundable security deposit, and a rewards angle that has some bite at the right merchants, this card can be a sensible part of your broader strategy.