Build Your Own Credit

Smart Start

Build your credit loan program

Take control of your credit and watch it grow!

  • The Build Your Credit program helps Miami students establish credit through secured loans or secured credit cards. You decide which forms of guaranteed credit you desire and we help you make positive steps in establishing a solid credit score. A good credit score will help you with future financial transactions.

  • With a credit-builder loan, the amount you borrow doesn't come to you right away. Instead, your payments are held in a savings account that you cannot access. Once you've made all the payments, the money is released to you. Best of all there are no fees to get started!

    We report your payments to the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. After 6 months, you should have a credit score or see a change in your score.

    If you do not make your payments on time, it can negatively impact your credit. But don't worry, all members have a 7-day grace period. If the loan is not paid, you will be charged a fee of $30.00.

  • We offer a range of options for you. You can borrow from $500 to $2500 for 6 to 24 months at a fixed non-variable rate of 6.00%. The lowest payment you could make is $22.17 a month borrowing $500 for 24 months.

Secured Credit Card

The credit card is secured through the member depositing 115% of the requested credit limit into a secure account. This account serves as a fail-safe payment method if the member misses a payment. The limit for a secured credit card typically ranges from $500-$1,000. The interest rate on the card is 11.99%. First Miami will remind you to pay your bills and work out the best plan for payment. If you decide to close this card, the money in the secure account will be disbursed back to you, given that the VISA card is paid off. This initiation fee for the VISA card is $20.