What First Digital Credit Card Offers
First Digital is a credit card issued by First National Bank of Omaha, designed for people building or rebuilding credit. The card requires a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit — typically between $300 and $2,500 — and reports to all three major credit bureaus. You pay an annual fee, and the card charges interest on balances you carry month to month.
The card itself is a secured card, meaning the bank holds your deposit as collateral while you use the card like any other. After 18 months of on-time payments, First Digital may convert your account to an unsecured card and return your deposit. The conversion is not automatic — the bank reviews your account and decides whether to upgrade you.
First Digital does not offer cash back, travel rewards, or other perks. The value of the card lies in its reporting to credit bureaus and its path to unsecured credit, not in earning benefits on purchases.
Key Takeaways
- First Digital requires a cash deposit between $300 and $2,500 that the bank holds as security and that becomes your credit limit.
- The card charges an annual fee and interest on any balance you carry, with no rewards or cash back.
- First Digital reports your payment history to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, which helps build your credit score over time.
- After 18 months of on-time payments, you may be considered for conversion to an unsecured card, though conversion is not may provide.
- The card is best for people with no credit history or poor credit who need to demonstrate responsible use to lenders.
Fees and Interest Rates
First Digital charges an annual fee that varies depending on your credit limit tier. The fee is deducted from your deposit or charged to your account, so you pay it whether you use the card or not. You should confirm the exact annual fee before you open an account, as it ranges based on the deposit amount you choose.
The card carries a variable interest rate on any balance you do not pay in full each month. The rate depends on your creditworthiness at the time you open the account and can change over time. If you carry a balance, you will pay interest charges on top of your principal balance.
There are no other advertised fees for late payments, foreign transactions, or cash advances listed in standard terms, but you should review the full disclosure document before opening an account to understand all possible charges.
How the Deposit Works and When You Get It Back
When you open a First Digital account, you choose a deposit amount between $300 and $2,500. The bank holds this money in a separate account and uses it as security in case you do not pay your bill. Your credit limit equals your deposit — if you deposit $500, your limit is $500.
You do not earn interest on your deposit while the bank holds it. The deposit sits in a non-interest-bearing account, so you are not building savings while you build credit.
After 18 months of on-time payments, First Digital reviews your account to decide whether to convert it to an unsecured card. If approved for conversion, the bank returns your deposit to you. If the bank declines conversion, your account remains secured and your deposit stays on hold. There is no set timeline for when you will hear about conversion — you should contact the bank directly to ask about your account status after the 18-month mark.
Credit Reporting and Building Your Credit Score
First Digital reports your account activity to all three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This means every on-time payment you make gets recorded on your credit report, which helps raise your credit score over time. The card is useful specifically because it reports to all three bureaus, giving you the broadest possible credit-building benefit.
Your credit score improves when you make payments on time, keep your balance low relative to your limit, and avoid missed or late payments. With First Digital, making your minimum payment by the due date each month is the most important step. Paying your full balance each month is better for your score than carrying a balance, because it shows you can manage credit responsibly without paying interest.
How much your score improves depends on your starting point and how long you hold the card. People with no credit history typically see faster improvement than people recovering from past missed payments. Expect to see meaningful score movement within 6 to 12 months of consistent on-time payments.
Comparison to Other Secured Cards
| Card | Deposit Range | Annual Fee | Reports to All Three Bureaus | Path to Unsecured Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Digital | $300–$2,500 | Yes, varies by tier | Yes | After 18 months of on-time payments |
| Capital One Secured | $200–$2,500 | $0 | Yes | After 6 months of on-time payments |
| Discover Secured | $200–$2,500 | $0 | Yes | After 8 months of on-time payments |
| OpenSky Secured | $200–$3,000 | $35 | Yes | No automatic conversion; you can request unsecured card after 12 months |
First Digital's main disadvantage is its annual fee. Capital One Secured and Discover Secured both charge no annual fee and offer faster paths to conversion — Capital One in as little as 6 months. If you want to minimize costs while building credit, those cards may be better choices.
First Digital's advantage is its flexibility on deposit amounts and its clear 18-month timeline. If you prefer knowing exactly when you will be reviewed for conversion and you have the deposit amount ready, First Digital is straightforward to understand.
Who Should Consider First Digital
First Digital works best for people who have no credit history or who are rebuilding credit after past problems. If you have never had a credit card or loan, a secured card like First Digital helps you prove to lenders that you can borrow responsibly. If you have missed payments or defaulted in the past, a secured card gives you a fresh start with a lender who will report your new, positive behavior to credit bureaus.
The card is less useful if you already have access to unsecured credit cards or if you have a credit score above 650. People with established credit history should look for cards with rewards or lower interest rates instead.
First Digital also makes sense if you want a straightforward product with no surprises. The card does not offer rewards, cash back, or special perks — it is purely a credit-building tool. If you want a card that does one thing well and reports to all three bureaus, that simplicity can be valuable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use First Digital if I have bad credit?
Yes. First Digital is designed for people with poor credit or no credit history. Because the card is secured by your deposit, the bank does not rely on your credit score to decide whether to issue it. You will need to pass a background check and meet basic banking requirements, but your credit score is not a barrier to opening an account.
What happens if I miss a payment on First Digital?
A missed payment will be reported to all three credit bureaus and will damage your credit score. The bank may also charge a late fee, though you should confirm the exact fee in your account agreement. Missing payments defeats the purpose of the card, which is to show lenders you can pay on time. If you miss a payment, contact the bank when ready to bring your account current.
Can I increase my credit limit on First Digital?
Your credit limit is fixed at the amount of your deposit. To increase your limit, you would need to add more money to your deposit account. Some banks allow you to increase your deposit after a period of on-time payments, but you should ask First Digital directly whether this option is available on your account.
How long does it take to convert to an unsecured card?
First Digital reviews accounts after 18 months of on-time payments. Conversion is not may provide — the bank decides based on your payment history and overall account activity. After the 18-month mark, contact the bank to ask about your conversion status. If you are not approved, you can ask what you need to do to become may be able to access.
Is First Digital better than Capital One Secured?
Capital One Secured has no annual fee and converts faster (6 months versus 18 months), making it cheaper and quicker for most people. First Digital's main advantage is its higher deposit range ($300–$2,500 versus Capital One's $200–$2,500) and its clear timeline. Choose based on which features matter most to you: lower cost or higher deposit flexibility.