Low Intro APR
No Annual Fee
Cash Back
Reward Cards
VISA
Mastercard
Business Credit C.
Balance transfer
Student Credit Cards
Frequent Flyer
Gold Cards
platinum Cards

Advanta
American Express
Bank of America
Bank One
Chase Manhattan
Discover

Bankruptcy
Slow Credit
Average Credit
Excellent Credit

Finding the best credit card after bankruptcy is not that difficult, if you know where to look and what to look for.

Let’s start by talking about secured and unsecured credit cards. When it comes to applying for a credit card after bankruptcy one question that a lot of people seem to have is: Should I apply for a secured credit card or unsecured credit card?

In case you don’t know the difference, a secured credit card is “secured” by a special savings account you establish with the credit card issuer which acts as collateral for your credit limit.

For example, you deposit $500 in a special savings account and then have a $500 credit limit. If you default, the credit card issuer simply takes the money in your special savings account.

Unsecured credit cards are just that – unsecured. Meaning the person fills out a credit application and, based on their credit report, income, etc. are approved for a certain credit limit. Of course, they could also be declined depending on the credit card issuer’s guidelines.

So which is best? It depends on your credit history. However, if you apply for a secured credit card you have a higher chance of getting approved versus an unsecured credit card.

But be careful. Not all secured cards are created equal. And to make matters worse, there are tons of banks out there pushing secured credit cards!

So how do you find the best credit card after bankruptcy? Come up with a list of criteria that the secured card needs to meet in order for you to consider it. When I’m researching secured cards, I apply eight criteria. Not many meet these criteria so I’m able to narrow down the choices quickly.

What are the some of the eight criteria? For example, a low interest rate is important. While researching some secured credit cards I ran across one with an interest rate of 23.99% and another with an interest rate of only 9.25%.

This is just one of the criteria I use to find the best credit card after bankruptcy – and look at the potential savings! Over several years you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest depending on the balance you maintain.

Okay, here’s another criteria: application fees. Again, I found some secured credit cards that have no application fees and one that had a… are you ready for this… $120 application fee! Sadly, people have paid it!

Let me give you one more criteria you can use to find the best credit card after bankruptcy: You want to make sure the secured card issuer reports to all three credit bureaus. But you also want to make sure they report it a certain way.

I don’t have room here for all eight criteria, but hopefully this gives you an idea of some of the things you need to look at when it comes to finding the best credit card after bankruptcy.

By the way, don’t apply for too many credit cards at once. If you do, it can hurt your credit score. That’s why if you’re uncertain as to whether or not you’d be approved for an unsecured credit card it may be better to apply for a secured credit card.

Now you know some steps you can take toward finding the best credit card after bankruptcy!

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Copyright © 2006 Innovative Solutions Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

DISCLAIMER:

This information is designed to provide only a general overview of the subject matter herein.

This information is provided with the understanding that neither the publisher nor author is engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice. If legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a professional should be sought.

Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for any loss or damages, including but not limited to special, consequential, incidental or other damages, caused by the information contained herein.

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About the Author: R. Lawrence Anderson is author of After Bankruptcy Credit Solutions, which shows individuals how to qualify for credit and loans after bankruptcy. For details visit: http://www.bankruptcy-credit-solutions.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=R._Lawrence_Anderson

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Yes, low APR credit cards are on the rise. Many credit cards are competing for your business to give you the best and lowest rates available today. There are so many credit cards from you to choose from that they are doing all kinds of things to get your attention including lowering their interest rate and giving you no annual fees.

Why is this happening? Because there are so many credit card companies. They all want your business and this is an attractive incentive to get you to apply and own one of their credit cards. If you choose a low APR credit card over one with 19.99 percent you are sure to go with the lower APR.

The only problem is that sometime these 0% and low APR credit cards are only promotional ways to get you to apply and then later your interest rate will rise. Many credit card companies have low APR credit cards for a certain amount of time such as 3 months, 6 months and some up to one year. You will have to compare to find out which one keeps the lower APR after the promotional period to ensure you are getting the best deal around.

No matter what the reason low APR credit cards are here to stay as long as the companies are competing for your business. Just remember to compare everything they offer besides the lower interest rate. You may find that several credit card companies are now offering other wonderful incentives for you to apply with them such as reward programs.

No matter which company you choose, you will enjoy the low APR credit cards even if it is only for a limited time. You will be able to save money on your purchases because you will not have to pay any interest until the promotional period is over. Just be sure your balance is very low when the interest rate kicks in and you will be fine.