If you are looking for secured credit cards, be prepared before you apply. Have copies of your credit reports on hand along with other personal information. Credit card companies that promote their cards expect the applicants to have good credit scores. If you have poor credit, you can save time by applying for secured cards that guarantee no credit checks.

Secured credit cards are offered by several banks, such as Citibank. Citibank has the platinum select masterCard offers now, which include 0% introductory APR rates on balance transfers for up to 18 months. You will have 0% introductory APR on purchases up to 12 months. APR rates after the trial period ends are 11.99 to 19.99%, which is quite high.

Compare cards online to get the best APR. If your credit rating does not meet certain standards, most companies will charge higher interest and APR rates. Most times APR varies based on prime market rates.

Check card features to find out what is included with secured cards. Some companies include reports from all three major credit bureaus regularly. You may have four ways to fund security deposits without having a checking account.

Vendors are promoting 0% annual fees. This is a common offer, but some companies will add monthly maintenance fees. You can have your cards shipped via FedEx by applying online. You can apply for secured cards at some companies that will not check your credit.

Some companies will allow you to select your own credit limit, and offer you 0% APR on purchases for up to six months. Companies that offer no credit check deals, however, may require a security deposit of up to $300.

You may have to pay an application fee of $75 and a rush fee. If you do not post a deposit, you may not qualify for the secured cards. So be sure to compare company offers online to save money. In order to get some cards you must wire money instantly to the card provider from your bank account.

Comparing cards will help you save money and time. Right now, the top cards include the prepaid debit cards, First Premier Classic, and the Orchard Classic. Some companies charge a $25 processing fee while others charge more.

Some companies charge small processing fees in which you can pay over time. If you are not approved for the cards, some companies will refund your processing fee. Take time to compare secured credit cards and offers on the Internet. Many of the secured cards are designed to help you rebuild your credit score. Processing fees vary, so shop around for the best deals on the Web.