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Fresh Start Options

FRESHEN UP YOUR FINANCES WITH OUR FRESH START OPTIONS.

Members First Credit Union of Florida is always ready to lend a hand to our members. We'll help you take control of your finances with a Second Chance Checking. Or, whether you're just starting off and have little to no credit or hit a few bumps down the road and have damaged credit that you need to rebuild, we'll help you build your credit and give you the fresh start you need with a Credit Builder Loan or Secured Credit Card

 

Second Chance Icon

Second Chance Checking

At Members First, we realize nobody is perfect and sometimes your credit score takes a hit. Our Second Chance Checking account* gives you just that… a second chance to start fresh with a checking account from the Credit Union you can trust. If you’ve been unable to open an account due to a ChexSystems report, please see one of our friendly Financial Services Representatives today to apply for a Second Chance Checking account.*

check icon $0.00 Minimum Deposit to Open
check icon $12.00/month Maintenance Fee
check icon FREE Debit Card**

* Subject to approval. Offer extended to members in ChexSystems due to Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) activity only. Member's account must have been paid for at least 90 days before Second Chance Checking will be approved. Member may request a Regular Checking account after 12 successful months with no NSFs or overdrafts on the account.

** ATM privileges limited to $500 online and $100 offline.

 

Credit Builder Loan

We'll help you get a fresh start.

Get Started

  1. Speak with a credit union representative.
    Stop by one of our branch locations or call us at (850) 434-2211 to speak with a credit union representative. Tell us your goals, and we will help you start reaching them.
  2. Get the loan
    With a credit builder loan you are guaranteed approval. The loan ranges from $500 to $2,000 and is secured in your savings account. No money down. No crazy fees. Just the straight up opportunity to move forward. 
  3. Stay on track
    All you have to do is make monthly, on-time payments. Credit Builder reports your success to the credit bureaus. 
  4. Focus forward and grow your credit
    As you make your payments the principal amount of your payment is released to you. Once the loan is completed, speak with us regarding your future financial goals. 

 

Secured Credit Cards

If you have damaged or little to no credit, a Secured Credit Card could be the right option for you. Our cards come with a fixed rate, meaning you never have to worry about surprise rate hikes. Below we've answered a few frequently asked questions about Secured Credit Cards to help you decide if a Secured Credit Card is right for you.

To get started, speak with a credit union representative at one of our branch locations or give us a call at (850) 434-2211.

Secured Credit Cards require a cash security deposit, while regular/unsecured cards do not. The cash deposit you make to open your Secured Credit Card is equal to your credit limit.

A Secured Credit Card is backed by a cash deposit you make when you open the account. The amount of your deposit is put on hold in your savings account and the deposit is equal to your credit limit. This means, if you deposit $500, you'll have a $500 limit on your Secured Credit Card. Once you're approved, you can begin using your Secured Credit Card to make purchases and help build your credit.

No. A Secured Credit Card is different from a prepaid debit card that you "load" with money. With prepaid debit, you put money on the card and spend that money when you make purchases. A Secured Credit Card works just like a regular credit card. You make purchases with your Secured Credit Card, and then you pay them off later. The deposit acts as collateral and comes into play only if you don't make your payments. In that case, your deposit is used to pay your debt.

Yes. When you close your Secured Credit Card account in good standing (meaning you've paid off your balance) or when you upgrade to an unsecured card from Members First, the hold on your security deposit will be released and you'll be able to access the funds.

A Secured Credit Card is a great way to build your credit. Make small purchases with it regularly and pay those purchases off in full every month to avoid paying interest. Strive to keep your balance below 30% of your limit. If you use this tool responsibly, you can build a solid payment history, improve your credit, and get a regular credit card with better benefits.

 

Find the Members First secured credit card that best fits your needs. Choose between a low fixed interest rate card with no annual fee or a lower fixed interest rate card with a low annual fee. 
 

VISA SECURED (Without Annual Fee)

Checking Icon

12.9% Fixed APR
• Purchases
• Cash Advance
• Balance Transfer

Features
checkmark icon No Annual Fee
checkmark icon Credit limit that fits your budget
checkmark icon Earns 1 Point for Every $1 Spent

 

Speak with a Members First Representative Account Opening Disclosure

 


 

VISA SECURED (With Annual Fee)

Checking Icon

10.9% Fixed APR
• Purchases
• Cash Advance
• Balance Transfer

Features
checkmark icon Lower Fixed APR
checkmark icon $12 Annual Fee
checkmark icon Credit limit that fits your budget
checkmark icon Earns 1 Point for Every $1 Spent

 

Speak with a Members First Representative Account Opening Disclosure

 

Visa Secured Rewards

For every purchase you make using your Members First Visa Secured Credit Card, you'll earn 1 Bonus Point per $1 spent that can be redeemed for: 

  • Pay With Rewards - Pay for purchases with your rewards at CVS® and Walgreens®. You can also pay with your rewards on qualifying online purchases at millions of PayPal® merchants globally. Plus, use your bonus points to save on all your fuel purchases by using your card at the pump at a participating Murphy USA®, Amoco® , BP® , Shell® and CITGO® Station.
  • Statement Credits - Pay down your credit card balance when you choose to redeem your points for a credit towards your statement.
  • Gift Cards - Redeem your points for gift cards to select retailers like Amazon®, Home Depot®, Best Buy®, iTunes®, Xbox LIVE®, or for movie tickets.
  • Cash Back - Use your bonus points for a deposit into your account.
  • Travel Rewards - Get travel accommodations such as hotel stays at top properties, airfare, car rentals, cruises, and more.
  • Merchandise - Get electronics, home goods, personal items, and more from the best brands like Apple®, Michael Kors®, Samsung®, Bose®, Black & Decker®, Pandora®, Ray-ban®, Keurig®, and more.
  • Purchase Erase - Redeem2Erase credit card transactions with your bonus points. 
  • Charity - Use your points to make a donation to a charity of your choice.
  • Games & More - Use your points to play games and more for a chance to win gift cards, merchandise from the hottest brands, and other amazing prizes.
  • And so much more!

 

Redeeming Points Is Easy!

Checking your rewards points balances and redeeming them for cash, statement credits, fuel discounts, travel, and more is quick and easy.

New Users:

  1. Go to scorecardrewards.com.
  2. Click "Create Account."
  3. Follow the instructions on the form and submit.

Returning Users:

  1. Log into scorecardrewards.com.
  2. Your Rewards Balance can be viewed at the top of the page or by clicking the Account tab.
  3. Shop Rewards to redeem your points for merchandise, cash back, and more.

Have Questions About Your Credit Card Rewards Points? Call (800) 854-0790

redeem your rewards today at scorecardrewards.com.

 

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please call our Member Information Call Center at (850) 434-2211 or toll-free at (877) 434-6328. Our Call Center hours are Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. You can also stop by one of our branch locations during normal business hours.
 

 


 

RESOURCES

We've got the tools you need to help you make the best decision for you.

 

 


 

SPEAK WITH A LENDER

NNeal

Natalie Neal
Loan Officer
NMLS# 1534073
(850) 434-2211 Ext. 170
Email Natalie

NDiamond

Nikki Diamond
Loan Officer
NMLS# 2231167
(850) 434-2211 Ext. 55511
Email Nikki

 

 

The annual percentage rate you pay will be based on the number of months your loan is financed, the loan type and your credit history. The APR will be disclosed prior to an advance being made on a loan. Loan terms may vary based on value and type of collateral. APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Equal Housing Lender. All rates are subject to change without notice. For complete terms and conditions, email us or contact a Call Center Representative at (877) 434-6328 or locally at (850) 434-2211.

APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rates and terms are based on individual credit worthiness. The method of computing finance charges (or interest) for purchases (including new purchase) is based on the Average Daily Balance. Rates are subject to change without notice. For our complete credit card disclosure, click here.

 

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NMLS #405711
Equal Housing Lender National Credit Union Administration
This Credit Union is federally-insured by the National Credit Union Administration. We do business in accordance with the Fair Housing Law and Equal Opportunity Credit Act.
Members First Credit Union of Florida is not affiliated with Members First Credit Union (Kentucky)

Members First Credit Union of FL is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience in accordance with ADA standards and guidelines. If you are using a screen reader or other auxiliary aid and are having problems using this website, please contact us at 877-434-6328. We are actively working to increase accessibility and usability of our website to everyone. All products and services available on this website are available at all Members First Credit Union of FL branches.

 

Any external links or websites to alternative sites are not operated by Members First Credit Union of FL. We are not responsible for the content of the alternate site or their accessibility standards.

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