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Bank of America · Visa

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card

Secured Secured
$0 Annual Fee
26.24% Variable Purchase APR
300+ Recommended FICO
Cash Back Reward Type
Browse Cards Bank of America Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card

Rewards

Reward TypeCash Back
Base Rate1x / 1%
Bonus RateUp to 3x
Annual Cap$10,000
ExpirationCash back rewards do not expire as long as the account remains open and in good standing
Redemption NotesBonus cash back in Choice Category and at Grocery Stores/Wholesale Clubs is capped at $2,500 in combined purchases per calendar quarter; after the quarterly limit is reached, all purchases earn 1% until the next quarter. Cash back may only be redeemed as a statement credit, deposit to a Bank of America account, or contribution to a Merrill account; minimum redemption is $25 for some redemption methods. The security deposit required to open the account is separate from rewards and does not earn cash back.
CategoryRateTypeCap
Choice Category (First Year Promotional Rate)
Earn 6% cash back in one eligible Choice Category (Gas & EV Charging Stations, Online Shopping/Cable/Internet/Phone Plans/Streaming, Dining, Travel, Drug Stores/Pharmacies, or Home Improvement/Furnishings) for the first 365 days from account opening, subject to a $2,500 combined quarterly spending cap across the 3% and 2% bonus categories; reverts to 3% after the first year. Category can be changed up to once per month.
6x Cash Back $10,000/yr
Choice Category (Ongoing Rate After Year 1)
Earn 3% cash back in one eligible Choice Category after the first-year promotional period ends; category can be changed up to once per month; subject to a $2,500 combined quarterly spending cap across the 3% and 2% bonus categories.
3x Cash Back $10,000/yr
Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs
Earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, subject to the $2,500 combined quarterly spending cap across the 3% and 2% bonus categories; after the cap is reached, purchases earn 1% until the start of the next calendar quarter.
2x Cash Back $10,000/yr
All Other Purchases
Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases not covered by the 3%/6% or 2% bonus categories, and on all purchases once the $2,500 quarterly combined spending cap is reached.
1x Cash Back No cap

Benefits & Protections

BenefitCategoryValue / Coverage
No Annual Fee
No annual fee charged for primary cardmembers or authorized users, keeping the total cost of card ownership at $0 beyond the refundable security deposit.
Financial $0 annual fee
Up to $0
Overdraft Protection
Optional overdraft protection service that links the credit card to an eligible Bank of America checking account to help prevent declined purchases, returned checks, or other overdrafts; transfer fees may apply.
Financial Complimentary (transfer fees may apply)
Refundable Security Deposit
A refundable security deposit of $200 to $5,000 is required to open the account; the deposit amount determines the credit limit; Bank of America periodically reviews overall credit history to determine if the deposit can be returned without closing the account.
Financial Refundable deposit from $200
Upgrade Path to Unsecured Card
With responsible use, Bank of America may return the security deposit without closing the account or offer an upgrade to an unsecured Bank of America credit card, based on periodic credit history reviews.
Financial Full deposit refund upon qualification
Account Alerts
Customizable email or text alerts to notify cardholders of payment due dates, payment confirmations, balance thresholds, and other account activity.
Other Complimentary
Bank of America Mobile Banking App
Full-featured mobile banking app for viewing balances, making payments, managing rewards, setting alerts, and accessing account features.
Other Complimentary
Credit Bureau Reporting
Bank of America reports account activity to all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — monthly, actively supporting credit history building.
Other Complimentary
Free FICO® Score Access
Cardholders who opt in can access their FICO® Score updated monthly for free within the Bank of America Mobile Banking app or Online Banking.
Other Complimentary
Paperless Statements
Cardholders can opt for paperless electronic credit card statements to increase account security and reduce paper consumption.
Other Complimentary
1% Cash Back on All Other Purchases
Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases not covered by the 3%/6% or 2% bonus categories, and on all purchases after the $2,500 quarterly combined spending cap is reached.
Rewards 1% cash back
2% Cash Back at Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs
Earn 2% cash back on purchases at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, subject to the $2,500 combined quarterly spending cap across the 3% and 2% bonus categories.
Rewards 2% cash back
3% Cash Back in Choice Category (Ongoing)
After the first-year promotional rate expires, earn 3% cash back in one eligible Choice Category — Gas & EV Charging Stations, Online Shopping/Cable/Internet/Phone Plans/Streaming, Dining, Travel, Drug Stores/Pharmacies, or Home Improvement/Furnishings. Category can be changed up to once per month.
Rewards 3% cash back
6% Cash Back in Choice Category (First Year)
Earn 6% cash back in one eligible Choice Category of your selection for the first 365 days from account opening, subject to the $2,500 quarterly combined spending cap across the 3% and 2% bonus categories.
Rewards 6% cash back (Year 1)
Cash Back Never Expires
Cash back rewards do not expire as long as the account remains open and in good standing.
Rewards No expiration
Flexible Cash Back Redemption
Redeem cash back as a statement credit, direct deposit to a Bank of America checking or savings account, or contribution to an eligible Merrill investment account; minimum $25 for some redemption methods.
Rewards Multiple redemption options
Preferred Rewards Cash Back Bonus
Bank of America Preferred Rewards members earn an additional 25%–75% bonus on all cash back earned with the card, depending on their qualifying tier.
Rewards 25%–75% rewards bonus
$0 Liability Guarantee for Fraud
Cardholders are not responsible for any unauthorized transactions reported promptly; Bank of America's $0 Liability Guarantee covers fraudulent charges made with the card.
Security $0 liability
Chip Technology
Card is equipped with EMV chip technology for enhanced security and protection when making purchases at chip-enabled terminals.
Security Complimentary
Fraud Monitoring and Alerts
Bank of America monitors the account for suspicious or unusual activity and alerts cardholders via text, email, or phone when potentially fraudulent transactions are detected.
Security Complimentary

Interest Rates

Purchase APR26.24% Variable
Balance Transfer APR26.24%
Cash Advance APR26.24%
Penalty APR29.99%
Min. Interest Charge$1.5

Fees

Annual Fee $0 — No Annual Fee
Authorized User FeeFree
Foreign Transaction Fee3%
Balance Transfer Fee3% of the amount of each transaction for the first 60 days from account opening, then 4% of the amount of each transaction (minimum $10)
Cash Advance FeeDirect Deposit and Check Cash Advances: 3% of the amount of each transaction (minimum $10); ATM, Over-the-Counter, Same-Day Online and Cash Equivalent Cash Advances: 5% of the amount of each transaction (minimum $10)
Late Payment FeeUp to $40
Returned Payment FeeUp to $29

Approval & Eligibility

300 Recommended minimum FICO · Range 300–669
300 Poor580 Fair 670 Good740 Very Good 800+ Exceptional
Approval DifficultyEasy
Credit ProfileFair
Approval OddsVery Good
Decision TimeInstant
Pre-QualificationNot available
Student EligibleYes
Co-ApplicantAllowed
Business EligibleNo
Credit Limit Range $200 – $5,000

Issuer Rules & Restrictions

Maximum Cards per Issuer
You can hold up to 4 cards from this issuer simultaneously.
Shutdown Risk Triggers
Manufactured spending, too many Bank of America applications within a short period, excessive cash advances, suspicious transaction patterns, failure to maintain the required security deposit, non-payment leading to deposit forfeiture
Cliff Effect Rules
No bonus cliff rules apply to this card because no welcome bonus is offered. Holding the secured card does not block eligibility for welcome bonuses on unsecured Bank of America cards such as the Customized Cash Rewards, Unlimited Cash Rewards, Travel Rewards, or Premium Rewards cards. Community data confirms that upgrading from the secured card to an unsecured card does not reset the clock on bonus eligibility for other Bank of America card products.
International Friendly
May have limitations for international use.
Additional Issuer Rules
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card carries no welcome bonus and earns cash back rewards consistent with the unsecured Customized Cash Rewards family — there are no bonus eligibility cliffs or family-rule spending restrictions tied to this card. Bank of America's 2/3/4 application rule applies across all Bank of America personal credit cards; community data suggests secured cards may or may not count toward this limit depending on how Bank of America classifies the account, though this is not explicitly confirmed in issuer disclosures. A refundable security deposit of $200–$5,000 is required at account opening to secure the credit line, and the deposit is returned when Bank of America determines the cardholder qualifies based on responsible credit management or upon account closure in good standing.
Military & Hardship
MLA Compliant
Complies with the Military Lending Act (36% APR cap for active duty servicemembers).
SCRA Benefits
Bank of America caps the APR at 6% on pre-service balances for eligible servicemembers during active military duty under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act; additional benefits may apply per SCRA guidelines.
Hardship Program
Hardship program available.
Bank of America
$0
Annual Fee
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APR 26.24% Variable
Quick Summary
Annual Fee Free
RewardsCash Back
Min. FICO300+
NetworkVisa
Card TypeSecured
Online
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