What Is a Fit Mastercard and What Bank Issues It?

The FIT Mastercard is issued by the Bank of Missouri and serviced by Continental Finance. 

Continental Finance offers a number of credit cards with terms similar to those of the FIT Mastercard. According to the Continental Finance website, the company is “one of America’s leading marketers and servicers of credit cards for consumers with less than perfect credit.”

Is FIT Mastercard Legit?

The FIT Mastercard is a real credit card you can use anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Unlike some cards marketed toward people with bad credit, it’s not a store card or a line of credit in disguise. 

However, it’s important to be aware of the high fees associated with this card. In addition to the $99 annual fee, $89 one-time processing fee, and $6.25 monthly fee, the FIT card’s annual percentage rate (APR) is 29.99%.

If your goal is to rebuild your credit, the FIT card can be a slippery slope to more debt. This is because the high interest rate will cause you to accumulate debt if you fail to pay off the balance each month.  

Fit Mastercard Overview

If you have bad credit or no credit history, it can be difficult to get approved for a credit card. On the other hand, a credit card is an effective tool for boosting your credit score and establishing yourself in the world of credit. 

So how do you escape this catch-22? This is where subprime credit cards like the FIT Mastercard come in.

Designed for those with bad credit, the FIT Mastercard doesn’t require a credit check to get approved. This means even people with very poor credit scores or minimal credit history should be able to get a card.

The FIT Mastercard is also unsecured, which means you don’t have to put down a security deposit to open an account. Cardholders can also receive a credit limit as high as $400, which is a bit higher than similar cards. 

On the other hand, you’ll pay for these perks in fees and interest. There is an $89 fee just to process your card, plus a $99 annual fee for the first year.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of the FIT Mastercard is that it reports to all three credit bureaus. This means Continental Finance will report your payment history to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. 

As long as you pay your bill on time every month, using your FIT Mastercard can help you improve your credit score.   

Pros vs. Cons of the Fit Mastercard Credit Card

The FIT Mastercard has its pros and cons. Here’s a list of what you need to know about benefits and drawbacks.

Pros:

• Easy to qualify – The FIT Mastercard doesn’t run a credit check, and there is no stated minimum credit score required to qualify for a card.
• Reports to credit bureaus – Continental Finance reports to all three major credit bureaus, so you can use your card to establish a positive payment history.
• $400 initial credit limit – According to the FIT Mastercard website, new cardholders receive a credit limit up to $400 depending on their creditworthiness. 
• Potential for higher credit limit after six months – Continental Finance says it will review your account after six months and may give you a higher credit limit. 
• Free access to credit score – Once a month, cardholders get free access to their TransUnion Vantage 3.0 credit score. 
• Online account access and mobile app – You can manage your account online from your computer or on the go with the mobile app.

Cons:

• High fees – The FIT Mastercard comes with significant fees, including a one-time processing fee of $89, a $99 annual fee, a $40 fee for late or returned payments, and a monthly fee of $6.25 ($75 per year) after the first year.
• High APR – The APR for the FIT Mastercard is 29.99%, which is considerably higher than other credit cards.
• Checking account required to apply – While Continental Finance doesn’t run a credit check on applicants, it requires a checking account to apply.     

How to Apply for a FIT Card

Applying for the FIT Mastercard is easy, as the application is available online. You can apply in three steps:

1. Go to the FIT Mastercard website and click “apply now” to access the application. 

2. Fill in the preliminary information to start your application. 

3. Click “continue your application” and follow the instructions. After you submit your application, you should receive a decision online within minutes. 

Fit Mastercard Reviews

While you’re unlikely to find any user reviews for the FIT Mastercard, there are plenty of reviews for credit cards offered by Continental Finance. This is because many of the cards in the Continental Finance menu of offerings have similar terms. 

Reviews are mixed, with some users saying their Continental Finance credit card helped them boost their score, while others complain about high fees and bad customer service. 

Credit Card Alternatives to the Fit Mastercard

If your credit score has held you back from qualifying for a credit card, you don’t have to settle for a card with exorbitant fees and high interest. Here are three alternatives to consider. 

1. Discover it Secured Credit Card

The Discover it Secured credit card has no annual fee and even offers rewards. Cardholders get 2% cash back on purchases at restaurants and gas stations up to $1,000 plus unlimited 1% cash back on everything else. 

However, the Discover it Secured card is a secured credit card, which means you must pay a security deposit. To get started, you must deposit $200, which also acts as your credit limit. 

As long as you use your card responsibly, you’ll be eligible to receive a higher credit limit without depositing additional money up front. The APR is 22.99%, which is much lower than that of the FIT Mastercard. 

2. Capital One Secured Mastercard

If you don’t have the budget for a security deposit, the Capital One Secured Mastercard might be a good choice. While it’s a secured card, you can choose a security deposit of $49, $99, or $200.

You’re also automatically eligible for a credit limit increase after five on-time payments. There is no annual fee and no processing fee required to get the Capital One Secured Mastercard.  

While the card doesn’t offer any rewards, the 26.99% APR is common for a rebuilding credit card. 

3. OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card

The OpenSky Secured Visa credit card offers 18.95% APR, which is an excellent interest rate for a credit card geared toward people with bad credit. While there is a $35 annual fee, this fee is much lower compared to similar cards. 

OpenSky also reports your payment history to all three credit bureaus, making it a good choice for people looking to repair their credit score. The minimum security deposit required is $200, but you can deposit as much as $3,000.  

Simple Ways to Improve Your Credit Score

If you’ve been turned down for a credit card, you can improve your chances of getting that elusive approval by taking steps to improve your credit score. Here are four straightforward ways to make it happen.  

1. Review Your Credit Report

According to a study conducted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 1 in 5 people has a mistake on their credit report. If you haven’t reviewed yours, this is a good place to start. 

You can get your free credit report by visiting annualcreditreport.com and following the prompts. 

Once you have your report, check it over for accuracy. If you see any errors, you should dispute them with the credit bureaus. Getting errors removed can improve your credit score. 

2. Pay Your Bills on Time 

Your payment history is the single biggest factor in determining your credit score. It accounts for 35 percent of your score, and even one or two late payments can lower your score for years.

This is why you should always pay your bills on time. Avoid late payments on student loans, rent, auto loans, or any other form of credit.  

3. Become an Authorized User 

If your credit score is lower than you’d like, you can “borrow” someone else’s good score by becoming an authorized user on their account.

In most cases, it’s easiest to ask a close relative if they’ll make you an authorized user. If they agree, make sure you’re committed to using credit responsibly, as any recklessness on your part could end up hurting their credit.

You should also make sure their credit card company reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus. That way you get credit for your positive payment history.   

4. Make Frequent Payments

Keep your debts low by making more than one payment per month. You might hear these referred to as “micropayments.”

You don’t necessarily have to make a double payment each month, but it’s often helpful if your budget allows for it. If you can’t afford two full payments, make a micropayment before the full balance is due. 

This helps keep your overall balances low, which can improve your credit utilization. This is the ratio of how much credit you’re using versus your total available credit. 

Your credit utilization makes up 30 percent of your credit score. Keeping your credit utilization below 30 percent can raise your credit score. 

FIT Mastercard FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions and answers about the FIT Mastercard. 

What Are the Fees for a FIT Mastercard?

The FIT Mastercard fees are as follows:

• $89 one-time processing fee
• $99 annual fee for the first year
• $6.25 monthly maintenance fee after the first year
• $30 fee to add an authorized user
• Cash advance fee of $5 or 5%, whichever is greater
• 3% foreign transaction fee
• Up to $40 late payment fee
• Up to $40 returned payment fee

You can review the complete FIT Mastercard terms in the account disclosures document. 

Is There a Fit Mastercard Cash Back or Rewards Program?

No, the FIT Mastercard doesn’t offer rewards or cash back. 

Does FIT Mastercard Report Your Account Activity to the Credit Bureaus?

Yes, the FIT Mastercard reports to all three major credit bureaus. 

Does FIT Mastercard Give Credit Increases?

Depending on your creditworthiness and payment history, you may be eligible for a credit limit increase after six months. 

How Do I Make a FIT Mastercard Payment?

You can pay your bill via regular mail, by phone, or through the online account portal. 

Conclusion

Because it reports to all three credit bureaus, the FIT Mastercard has the potential to be an effective credit building tool. However, its high fees and high interest rate can just as easily trap cardholders in a cycle of debt if they fail to pay off their balance each month.  

For credit building and repair purposes, there are several other credit card options on the market that offer a chance to boost your credit score without worrying about racking up high fees month after month.