Citi Secured Mastercard
The Citi Secured Mastercard is a no-annual-fee secured card for building or rebuilding credit; the security deposit, chosen between $200 and $2,500 in $100 increments, sets the credit limit 1. Citi reports to major credit bureaus monthly and reviews accounts for graduation to the Citi Diamond Preferred Credit Card starting at 9 months 1.
Contents7 sections
At a glance
| Annual fee | $01 |
|---|---|
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% Of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase1 |
| Rewards | Does not earn rewards. |
| Network | Mastercard |
| Card type | Secured card |
| Authorized users | No fee1 |
| Issuer | Citi · Official card page |
What to know about the Secured Mastercard
The deposit and the credit limit are always equal, so a larger deposit gives a larger spending limit 1. Citi holds the deposit in a Collateral Holding Account that does not pay interest 2. The card does not earn rewards 1.
Graduation is reviewed first at 9 months and then every 12 months. To graduate, a cardmember must pass Citi's credit graduation criteria and have a valid SSN on file; an account that does not qualify stays secured for another 12 months 1. Citi reports to major credit bureaus monthly and says consistent, responsible use over time can help establish a positive credit history 1.
Account protections include $0 liability on unauthorized charges and free online access to the cardmember's FICO Score 1. Mastercard ID Theft Protection is available by signing up on the site of Generali Global Assistance with the card number 2. Foreign purchases carry a fee of 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase, and authorized users can be added without a fee 1. Citi states that applicants must not have a bankruptcy in the last two years 1.
Account features
| Zero fraud liability | $0 liability on unauthorized charges.1 |
|---|---|
| Free credit score | Free access to your FICO Score online.1 |
| Credit line reviews | Reviewed for graduation to the Citi Diamond Preferred Credit Card starting at 9 months, then every 12 months; must pass credit graduation criteria.1 |
Other perks
| Security deposit sets credit line | Refundable security deposit of $200 to $2,500 in $100 increments; credit limit equals the deposit; deposit held in a non-interest-bearing Collateral Holding Account1 |
|---|---|
| Reports to major credit bureaus | Account activity reported to major credit bureaus monthly1 |
| Mastercard ID Theft Protection | Free identity monitoring program offered by Mastercard through Generali Global Assistance; enrollment required2 |
Not listed for this card
The Citi pages and benefit terms we checked for the Secured Mastercard do not list these benefits:
- Rental car coverage
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Trip delay
- Baggage delay
- Lost or damaged luggage
- Travel accident insurance
- Emergency evacuation and medical
- Travel and emergency assistance
- Roadside assistance
- Cell phone protection
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty
- Return protection
- Airport lounge access
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
- Hotel benefits program
Some benefits come from the card network rather than the bank and are not always advertised. Your own Guide to Benefits, or the number on the back of the card, is the final word on what your account covers.
Sources
- 1 Citi, Citi Secured Mastercard | Citi.com Checked Oct 10, 2026 · Back to text ↑
- 2
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