What Firstbank credit cards are and who offers them
Firstbank is a regional bank operating primarily in the Southeast, with branches in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. They offer several credit card products aimed at different spending patterns — cash back cards, rewards cards, and cards designed for people rebuilding credit. Unlike national issuers like Chase or Capital One, Firstbank's cards are available mainly to people who live in or have ties to their service area, though some products may be available online to customers outside those states.
The cards themselves work like any standard credit card: you charge purchases, receive a monthly statement, and pay what you owe. The difference lies in the rewards structure, annual fees, interest rates, and approval standards. Firstbank tends to be more accessible to people with fair credit than premium card issuers, but less forgiving than subprime lenders. Understanding which Firstbank card matches your situation — and what it will actually cost you — matters before you submit an process.
Key Takeaways
- Firstbank credit cards are issued by a regional bank serving the Southeast, so availability depends on your location and whether you have an existing relationship with the bank.
- Different Firstbank cards target different credit profiles: some reward high spenders, others are designed for people with fair or limited credit history.
- Annual fees, interest rates, and rewards rates vary by card, so comparing the actual cost of carrying the card matters more than the rewards alone.
- Your credit score, income, and existing debt will determine whether you are approved and what interest rate you receive.
- Reading the terms before you explore — especially the APR, annual fee, and how rewards are earned and redeemed — prevents surprises after approval.
How to find out which Firstbank card fits your situation
Firstbank typically offers three to five credit card products at any given time, and the lineup changes. Your first step is to visit Firstbank's website directly and look at their credit card section. You will see the current cards available, the rewards structure for each, any annual fees, and the APR range (for example, "18.99% to 24.99%"). This range depends on your credit score — people with higher scores get the lower end, people with fair credit get the higher end.
Before you look at rewards, identify whether the card charges an annual fee. Some Firstbank cards have no annual fee; others charge $39 to $95 per year. If you do not spend enough to earn rewards that exceed the fee, the card costs you money. For example, a card with a $39 annual fee and 1% cash back requires you to spend at least $3,900 per year just to break even. If you spend less, you are paying the bank to use their card.
Next, check the rewards structure. Firstbank cards typically offer either flat-rate cash back (the same percentage on all purchases) or category-based rewards (higher percentages on groceries, gas, or dining, lower on everything else). Flat-rate cards are simpler; category cards reward specific spending but require you to track which purchases earn which rate. Choose based on how you actually spend, not on what sounds best.
What your credit score means for approval and interest rate
Firstbank, like all card issuers, uses your credit score to decide whether to approve you and what APR to offer. A credit score of 670 or higher generally puts you in range for approval on most Firstbank cards. Below 670, approval becomes less certain, and if you are approved, you will receive the highest APR the card offers. Between 670 and 740, you will likely be approved but at a mid-range rate. Above 740, you typically receive the lowest advertised APR.
Your credit score is not the only factor. Firstbank also looks at your income, how much debt you already carry, and whether you have a checking or savings account with them (existing customers are approved more often). If you have recent late payments, collections, or a bankruptcy within the last two years, approval is unlikely even with a decent score. If you are unsure whether you will be approved, you can call Firstbank's customer service and ask about your likelihood before you formally explore — this is called a soft inquiry and does not hurt your credit.
The APR matters because it determines how much you pay if you carry a balance. If you are approved at 22% APR and you carry a $1,000 balance for a full year without paying it down, you will owe roughly $220 in interest alone. If you can pay your full statement balance every month, the APR does not affect you — you pay no interest. But if you cannot, a lower APR saves real money.
Understanding rewards, redemption, and when they actually save you money
Firstbank credit card rewards come in two forms: cash back or points. Cash back is straightforward — you earn a percentage of every dollar spent, and you can redeem it as a statement credit or deposit to your bank account. Points are less direct; you accumulate them and redeem them through Firstbank's rewards portal for gift cards, travel, or merchandise. Cash back is almost always more valuable because you control how you use it.
The catch is that rewards only matter if you would not spend the money otherwise. If a card offers 2% cash back on groceries and you spend $300 per month on groceries, you earn $72 per year. That sounds good until you realize you were going to buy groceries anyway — the card did not create the spending, it just returned a small percentage of what you already planned to spend. Rewards are a bonus on necessary spending, not a reason to spend more.
Redemption also has hidden costs. Some Firstbank cards require a minimum redemption amount — for example, you cannot redeem cash back until you have earned at least $25. Others cap how much you can earn per year or per category. Read the full terms to understand when you can actually use the rewards you earn. A card that earns rewards slowly or has a high redemption minimum may not be worth the annual fee.
Introductory offers and what happens after they end
Some Firstbank credit cards come with an introductory offer: 0% APR for a set period (often 6 to 12 months) if you transfer a balance or make purchases, or a bonus of cash back or points if you spend a certain amount in the first three months. These offers are real and can save money, but they are temporary. After the intro period ends, the regular APR kicks in, and the bonus is gone.
If you are considering a card mainly for a 0% intro APR, do the math first. If you have a $3,000 balance you want to transfer, a 0% APR for 12 months saves you roughly $660 in interest (at a typical 22% APR). But if the card charges a 3% balance transfer fee, that fee is $90, and you have to pay it upfront. You still come out ahead, but the savings are smaller than the headline suggests. Always calculate the fee cost against the interest you would pay otherwise.
Intro bonuses for spending also require honesty. A card offering $200 cash back if you spend $500 in the first three months is only valuable if you were already planning to spend that $500. If you charge an extra $500 just to earn the bonus, you have not gained anything — you have spent money to get money back. The bonus is a reward for spending you would do anyway, not a reason to create new spending.
How to manage a Firstbank credit card once you have it
After approval, you will receive your card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it online or by phone. Set up online access to your account when ready so you can monitor charges and make payments. Firstbank allows you to set up automatic payments, which is the easiest way to avoid late fees and interest — you can pay the full balance automatically each month, or set a minimum payment if you prefer to carry a balance.
Late payments hurt your credit score and trigger a late fee (typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment, higher for repeat lates). Even one late payment can drop your score by 100 points or more. If you cannot pay the full balance, pay at least the minimum by the due date shown on your statement. The minimum is usually 1% to 3% of your balance, which means you will pay interest on the rest, but you avoid the late fee and credit damage.
Check your statement monthly for errors or unauthorized charges. If you see something wrong, contact Firstbank within 60 days of the statement date. Federal law requires them to investigate and correct errors. Do not ignore a charge you do not recognize — catching fraud early protects your account and your credit.
When a Firstbank card might not be the right choice
A Firstbank credit card is not the right fit if you cannot access their branches or online services easily, if you carry a balance most months and the APR is higher than other cards you could get, or if the annual fee exceeds the rewards you would actually earn. It is also not right if you are trying to rebuild credit — Firstbank's standard cards are not designed for that purpose, and a secured card or credit-builder card from another issuer might serve you better.
If you live outside Firstbank's service area and cannot open an account with them, you cannot get their credit card. Some of their cards may be available online, but you should confirm this directly with the bank before you explore. If you have been denied by Firstbank in the past, calling to ask why can help you understand whether to try again or look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a Firstbank customer to get one of their credit cards?
Not always, but it helps. Existing Firstbank checking or savings customers are approved more often and may receive better terms. If you are not a customer, you can still explore, but approval is less certain. Some Firstbank cards are available only to existing customers; check the card details on their website to confirm.
What happens if I am denied for a Firstbank credit card?
You will receive a letter explaining the reason — usually low credit score, too much existing debt, or insufficient income. You can call Firstbank to ask for details. If your score was the issue, wait six months, work on paying down debt, and explore again. If you were denied because you do not meet income requirements, reapplying will not help unless your income has changed.
Can I use my Firstbank credit card outside the Southeast?
Yes. Once you have the card, you can use it anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted, regardless of where you live. The card works the same way nationally. The restriction is on getting the card in the first place, not on using it after approval.
What is the difference between a Firstbank credit card and a debit card?
A debit card draws money directly from your bank account; a credit card borrows money from Firstbank that you repay later. Credit cards build your credit score if you pay on time; debit cards do not. Credit cards charge interest if you carry a balance; debit cards do not. Use a credit card to build credit and earn rewards; use a debit card to spend money you already have.
How long does it take to earn enough rewards to redeem them?
This depends on the card and your spending. A card offering 1% cash back requires you to spend $2,500 to earn $25 in rewards (the typical minimum redemption). If you spend $200 per month on the card, that takes about 12 months. A card offering 2% cash back on specific categories reaches the minimum faster if you spend heavily in those categories. Check the card terms for the minimum redemption amount before you explore.