First Bank credit cards are issued by First Bank, a regional bank operating primarily in the Southeast and Midwest, and come in several versions depending on which First Bank subsidiary you work with
First Bank is not a single national bank but a network of regional institutions operating under the First Bank brand. The credit cards available to you depend on which First Bank location serves your area — First Bank of Missouri, First Bank of Tennessee, First Bank of Colorado, or others. Each issues its own credit card products with different rewards structures, annual fees, and approval requirements.
Before you look at card features, you need to know which First Bank subsidiary operates in your region. A card from First Bank of Tennessee will not be available if you live in Colorado, for example. Start by visiting the website of the First Bank location nearest you or calling their customer service line to see what credit card products they currently offer.
Key Takeaways
- First Bank credit cards are issued by regional First Bank subsidiaries, not a single national bank, so the cards available to you depend on your location.
- Most First Bank cards require you to have an existing checking or savings account with that branch to open a credit card account.
- Rewards rates, annual fees, and approval standards vary by which First Bank subsidiary issues the card and which specific card product you choose.
- You can compare First Bank card offers by visiting your local First Bank branch website or calling their customer service number directly.
How First Bank credit cards differ by region
First Bank operates as a holding company with separate subsidiary banks in different states. First Bank of Missouri, First Bank of Tennessee, First Bank of Colorado, and First Bank of New Mexico each maintain their own product lines and approval processes. A rewards card offered by First Bank of Tennessee may not exist at First Bank of Colorado, and the terms may differ even if both locations offer a card with a similar name.
This regional structure means you cannot shop First Bank credit cards the way you would shop a national bank like Chase or Bank of America. You are limited to the products your local First Bank subsidiary offers. If you have moved recently or are considering a move, check whether First Bank operates in your new location and what cards they offer there before you make a decision based on a card you saw advertised elsewhere.
Checking account requirements and approval
Most First Bank credit cards require you to maintain an existing deposit account — typically a checking account — with that same First Bank location. This is a common practice among regional banks and means you cannot open a First Bank credit card without first opening a checking account if you do not already have one.
The approval process for a First Bank credit card usually involves a hard inquiry into your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. First Bank will review your credit history, income, and existing debts to decide whether to approve you and at what credit limit. The specific credit score or income threshold varies by card product and by which First Bank subsidiary is issuing it.
Rewards, fees, and interest rates
First Bank credit cards typically fall into two categories: cards with annual fees and rewards programs, and no-fee cards with no rewards. A rewards card might offer cash back on certain purchases — such as 2% back on groceries and gas, 1% on everything else — but will charge an annual fee of $50 to $95. A no-fee card offers no rewards but has no annual cost and may have a higher interest rate for purchases you do not pay off when ready.
The interest rate you receive depends on your credit score and credit history. First Bank will quote you an annual percentage rate (APR) when you are approved. This rate applies to any balance you carry from month to month. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest regardless of the APR.
Late fees, foreign transaction fees, and balance transfer fees vary by card. Read the card's terms and conditions — called the Schumer Box, a standardized disclosure table — before you accept the offer. This table shows all fees, the APR range, and the grace period for purchases.
How to find and compare First Bank cards in your area
Start by visiting the website of the First Bank subsidiary that serves your state. Look for a "Credit Cards" or "Personal Banking" section. Most First Bank locations list their current card offers with basic information about rewards, fees, and APR ranges.
Call the customer service number on the back of your First Bank debit card or visit a branch in person to ask about cards you are considering. A banker can tell you whether you meet the approval criteria, what credit limit you might receive, and whether any current promotions are running — such as a waived annual fee for the first year or a bonus for opening an account.
Write down the APR range, annual fee, rewards rate, and any sign-up bonuses for each card you are considering. Compare them side by side. If you carry a balance most months, a lower APR matters more than rewards. If you pay in full each month, rewards and annual fee are the main trade-off.
Building credit with a First Bank card
A First Bank credit card can help you build credit history if you use it responsibly. Each month, First Bank reports your payment history and credit utilization — the percentage of your credit limit you are using — to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Making on-time payments and keeping your balance low relative to your limit improves your credit score over time.
If you are new to credit or rebuilding after past problems, ask whether First Bank offers a secured credit card. A secured card requires you to deposit cash as collateral, usually $500 to $2,500, and your credit limit equals that deposit. After 12 to 18 months of on-time payments, First Bank may convert the card to a standard unsecured card and return your deposit.
What to do if you are denied
If First Bank denies your credit card process, you have the right to know why. Federal law requires the bank to provide a reason — usually a credit score below their minimum, insufficient income, too many recent credit inquiries, or existing debt levels. Ask for this explanation in writing.
If the reason is a credit report error, you can dispute it with the credit bureau. If the reason is a low credit score or short credit history, consider explore for a secured card instead, or wait six months and reapply after your credit profile has improved. Do not explore to multiple cards in a short time, as each process creates a hard inquiry that temporarily lowers your score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a First Bank customer to open a credit card?
Most First Bank credit cards require you to have a checking or savings account with that First Bank location. If you do not have an account, you will need to open one first. Some First Bank locations may waive this requirement for certain card products, so call your local branch to ask.
What credit score do I need to be approved?
First Bank does not publish a minimum credit score requirement, and it varies by card product and location. Generally, cards with rewards and lower APRs require a credit score in the "good" range (670 and above), while no-fee cards may accept lower scores. Call your local First Bank branch to ask what score range they typically approve.
Can I use my First Bank card outside my state?
Yes, your First Bank credit card works anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted, regardless of which state you are in. However, if you move to a state where First Bank does not operate, you may not be able to access customer service or manage your account as easily. Contact your card issuer before moving to understand how your account will be handled.
How long does approval take?
First Bank typically approves or denies credit card applications within one to three business days. If approved, your physical card arrives by mail within seven to ten business days. Some First Bank locations offer when ready digital card numbers you can use online while you wait for the physical card.
What happens if I miss a payment?
A missed payment is reported to the credit bureaus after 30 days and damages your credit score. First Bank will charge a late fee (typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment) and may increase your APR. If you miss a payment, contact First Bank when ready to make a payment and ask whether they will waive the late fee as a courtesy.