The Mavis Credit Card is designed for people rebuilding credit after missed payments or collections

The Mavis Credit Card is a secured credit card issued by Pathward, N.A. (a bank that partners with several card programs). You put down a cash deposit, and that deposit becomes your credit limit. The card reports to all three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — so on-time payments build your credit history.

Unlike a prepaid card, a secured card is a real loan. You borrow against your own money, pay interest on the balance, and the bank reports your payment behavior to credit bureaus. This is how it rebuilds credit: lenders see you managing borrowed money responsibly, even though you had to prove you could do it by putting cash down first.

The card is marketed to people with no credit history, damaged credit, or a recent financial setback. It is not the same as a regular credit card, and it is not a loan product — it is a tool for demonstrating creditworthiness over time.

Key Takeaways

  • You must deposit cash upfront (usually $200 to $2,500), and that amount becomes your spending limit.
  • The card charges an annual fee and interest on any balance you carry, so carrying a balance costs money even though it is your own deposit backing the card.
  • On-time payments are reported to all three credit bureaus, which is how the card rebuilds your credit score over months and years.
  • After 7 to 18 months of on-time payments, you may be able to convert the card to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.
  • The card works best if you use it for small, regular purchases and pay the full balance each month to avoid interest charges.

How the deposit and credit limit work

When you open a Mavis account, you choose a deposit amount. That deposit sits in a savings account held by the bank and becomes your credit limit. If you deposit $500, your credit limit is $500. You cannot spend more than that amount, just like with any credit card.

The deposit is not a fee — it is your money, held as collateral. The bank keeps it separate from the card issuer's operating funds. If you close the account in good standing (meaning you have paid all your bills on time), you get the deposit back. If you default on the card, the bank may use the deposit to cover what you owe.

The minimum deposit varies. Most secured cards require $200 to $500 to start, though some programs allow higher deposits if you want a higher limit. Check the current terms with the card issuer before you explore, because minimums and maximums change.

Fees and interest you will pay

The Mavis card charges an annual fee, typically between $35 and $99 depending on the version of the card you choose. This fee is charged once per year, usually on your account anniversary or billing date. You pay it whether you use the card or not.

If you carry a balance — meaning you do not pay off the full statement balance each month — you pay interest on that balance. The interest rate (called the Annual Percentage Rate, or APR) varies based on your creditworthiness at the time you open the account. People rebuilding credit typically see APRs between 18% and 24%, though the exact rate depends on what the bank sees in your credit report.

Example: If you deposit $500, spend $300, and pay only $100 that month, you owe interest on the remaining $200 balance. At 20% APR, that costs roughly $3.33 in interest that month. Over a year, carrying a $200 balance at 20% APR costs about $40 in interest alone — on top of the annual fee.

The best way to use this card is to spend small amounts and pay the full balance each month. This way you pay only the annual fee, not interest, and you still build credit history because on-time payment is reported to the bureaus.

How the card rebuilds your credit score

Credit bureaus track five main things: payment history (35% of your score), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), credit mix (10%), and new credit inquiries (10%). A secured card helps with the first three.

Payment history is the biggest factor. Every month you pay on time, the card issuer reports that to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. After several months of on-time payments, lenders see a pattern of reliability. This is the main reason secured cards rebuild credit.

Amounts owed matters too. If your credit limit is $500 and you spend $100 and pay it off, you are using 20% of your available credit. Lenders prefer to see you using less than 30% of your limit. Keeping your balance low (or zero) helps your score.

Length of credit history grows over time. The longer the account stays open and active, the better. This is why secured cards work best when you keep them open for at least a year or two, even after you graduate to an unsecured card.

How much your score improves depends on where you start. Someone with a 500 credit score might see a 50 to 100 point jump after 6 months of on-time payments. Someone with a 650 score might see a 20 to 40 point jump. The lower your starting score, the faster it typically rises with good behavior.

When you can graduate to an unsecured card

After 7 to 18 months of on-time payments, the card issuer may offer to convert your secured card to an unsecured card. This means you no longer need the deposit — the bank returns it to you, and your credit limit is based on your creditworthiness instead.

You do not have to wait for an offer. After 6 to 12 months of perfect payments, you can contact the card issuer and ask if you are may be able to access to convert. Some issuers will do it; others require you to wait for their offer. There is no harm in asking.

When you convert, your credit limit may stay the same, increase, or decrease — it depends on your credit score at that time and the issuer's policies. The annual fee may also change. Read any new terms carefully before you accept the conversion.

Once you have an unsecured card, you can close the secured card if you want, or keep both open. Keeping it open (and using it occasionally) helps your credit history length and your available credit ratio, both of which help your score.

Alternatives to the Mavis card

Other secured cards exist and may have lower fees or better terms. The Capital One Secured Mastercard, the Discover it Secured card, and the OpenSky Secured Visa are common alternatives. Compare the annual fee, APR, minimum deposit, and conversion timeline before you decide.

If you have a bank account or credit union membership, ask whether they offer a secured card. Credit unions often charge lower fees and APRs than national card issuers, and membership may give you access to better terms.

If your credit is not damaged but you straightforward have no credit history, a credit-builder loan from a credit union may be faster and cheaper than a secured card. You borrow a small amount (usually $500 to $1,000), make monthly payments, and the lender reports to the bureaus. You pay interest, but no annual fee, and you build credit in 6 to 12 months instead of 18 months.

If you are recovering from collections, charge-offs, or bankruptcy, a secured card is often the most straightforward path because it does not require you to explain your past — it just requires on-time payments going forward.

How to use the Mavis card responsibly

Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum due, or better yet, the full statement balance. Missing a payment tanks your credit score and defeats the purpose of the card. If you cannot pay the full balance, pay as much as you can and avoid carrying a balance month to month.

Use the card for small, regular purchases — a gas fill-up, a grocery trip, a utility bill if the company accepts credit cards. Charge $50 to $100 per month and pay it off in full. This shows lenders you can manage borrowed money without overspending.

Do not close the account after you convert to an unsecured card, even if you stop using it. Closing it shortens your average account age and reduces your available credit, both of which hurt your score. Instead, use it once or twice a year for a small purchase and pay it off when ready.

Do not explore for multiple credit cards at once. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score. Space out applications by at least 6 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my deposit if I miss a payment?

Missing a payment is reported to the credit bureaus and damages your score. The bank will not when ready take your deposit, but if you default on the card (usually after 120 to 180 days of non-payment), the bank may use the deposit to cover what you owe. You would lose the deposit and still owe any remaining balance.

Can I increase my credit limit without adding more money?

Yes, after several months of on-time payments, you can ask the issuer to increase your limit without increasing your deposit. Some issuers will do this; others require you to add more money to the deposit account. Call and ask — there is no penalty for requesting a limit increase.

Does the Mavis card work if I have no credit history at all?

Yes. Secured cards are designed for people with no credit history, recent damage, or both. You do not need an existing credit score to open the account. The bank will check your banking history and may review your income, but a credit score is not required.

How long does it take to rebuild my credit with this card?

Most people see meaningful improvement (50+ point increase) within 6 months of on-time payments. Larger improvements (100+ points) typically take 12 to 18 months. The timeline depends on where you start and what else is on your credit report — collections, charge-offs, and recent late payments take longer to recover from than a straightforward lack of history.

What if I want to close the account before converting to unsecured?

You can close the account anytime and get your deposit back (minus any unpaid balance or fees). However, closing it early means you have less credit history to show lenders, which limits how much your score improves. It is better to keep the account open for at least 12 months, even if you stop using the card.