What the Huntington Secured Credit Card is and who it's for

The Huntington Secured Credit Card is a credit-building product from Huntington National Bank, a regional bank with branches mainly in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Like other secured cards, it requires you to put down a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit — so a $500 deposit gives you a $500 limit. You use the card like a regular credit card, and your payment history gets reported to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).

This card is designed for people rebuilding credit after a gap in history, a missed payment, or a low credit score. It's also useful if you're new to credit and have no history yet. The goal is to demonstrate responsible use over time so you can move to an unsecured card later.

Huntington offers this card through its own bank, so you'll need to either have a Huntington checking account or open one to get the card. If you already bank with Huntington, the process is simpler. If you don't, you'll need to decide whether opening an account with them makes sense for your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Your cash deposit becomes your credit limit, and Huntington holds it in a separate savings account while you use the card.
  • You pay an annual fee, and interest rates are higher than unsecured cards, so carrying a balance costs more than it would on a regular card.
  • Your payment history reports to all three credit bureaus each month, which is how the card builds your credit score.
  • After a period of responsible use (typically 6 to 18 months), you may be able to graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.
  • You must have or open a Huntington checking account to hold the card, which adds a banking relationship requirement.

How much the deposit and fees cost

Huntington requires a minimum deposit of $500, which becomes your credit limit. You can deposit more if you want a higher limit — the maximum varies, so check with Huntington directly for the current cap. Your deposit sits in a savings account that Huntington holds, earning interest at their savings rate (which is typically very low, often less than 0.01% annually).

The card carries an annual fee, which is charged once per year. This fee comes out of your checking account, not your credit limit. Beyond the annual fee, you'll also pay interest if you carry a balance from month to month. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) is higher on secured cards than on unsecured cards — Huntington's rate will depend on your credit profile and current market conditions.

There are no foreign transaction fees if you use the card abroad, which is a small advantage if you travel. Late fees and over-limit fees explore if you miss a payment or exceed your credit limit, just as they would on any credit card.

What happens when you use the card and make payments

You use the Huntington Secured Credit Card the same way you'd use any credit card: swipe it, tap it, or use the card number online to make purchases. Each purchase is deducted from your available credit, just like a regular card. Your monthly statement shows all your transactions, your balance, and your minimum payment due.

To build credit, you need to make at least your minimum payment on time, every month. Ideally, you'll pay the full balance to avoid interest charges. Huntington reports your payment history to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, so on-time payments show up on your credit report and help raise your score over time. Missed or late payments also get reported and will hurt your score.

Your credit utilization — the percentage of your limit that you're using — also affects your credit score. Using 30% or less of your limit is generally better for your score than using more. So if your limit is $500, keeping your balance under $150 is a good target.

When and how you can graduate to an unsecured card

Huntington doesn't publish a fixed timeline for graduation, but most banks move secured cardholders to unsecured cards after 6 to 18 months of on-time payments and responsible use. Some cardholders graduate sooner if their credit score improves quickly; others take longer if their history is more damaged.

When Huntington decides you're ready, they'll contact you with an offer to convert your account to an unsecured card. At that point, your deposit is returned to your savings account, and your credit limit may increase. You'll no longer pay the annual fee for a secured card (though the unsecured card may have its own annual fee or be fee-free, depending on the product).

You don't have to wait for Huntington to offer conversion — you can also request it yourself if you believe your credit has improved enough. However, Huntington will review your account and may decline if they don't see sufficient improvement yet.

How the Huntington checking account requirement affects your decision

Unlike some secured cards that don't require a bank account, Huntington requires you to have a Huntington checking account to hold the secured card. If you already have one, this is straightforward. If you don't, you'll need to open one, which means providing identification, Social Security number, and initial deposit (checking accounts typically require a small opening deposit, though minimums vary).

Opening a checking account is free, but it does create an ongoing relationship with Huntington. You'll receive monthly statements, and if you don't use the account, some banks charge inactivity fees after a long period. Check Huntington's current checking account terms to understand any fees or requirements.

If you're not interested in banking with Huntington, or if you live in an area without Huntington branches, you may want to compare this card to secured cards from other issuers that don't require a checking account, such as Capital One or Discover.

Comparing the Huntington card to other secured cards

The main trade-off with the Huntington Secured Credit Card is the checking account requirement. Some competitors, like the Capital One Secured Mastercard or the Discover Secured Credit Card, don't require you to bank with them. If you want to keep your banking and credit card separate, those cards may be simpler.

The deposit minimum ($500) is standard across most secured cards, so that's not a differentiator. Annual fees and interest rates vary by issuer and your credit profile, so it's worth getting quotes from a few issuers to compare. Some secured cards offer rewards (like 1% cash back), while others offer none — Huntington's rewards structure should be checked against competitors if cash back matters to you.

If you already have a Huntington checking account or plan to use Huntington for banking anyway, the card may be more convenient because everything is in one place. If you're just looking for a credit-building tool and don't want to add a bank account, a card from another issuer might be the better fit.

What to watch out for and common mistakes

The biggest mistake people make with secured cards is carrying a balance and paying interest unnecessarily. Because the interest rate is high, paying interest defeats the purpose of building credit affordably. Aim to pay your full balance each month, or at least keep your balance low enough that interest charges are minimal.

Another common mistake is missing a payment. Even one late payment can damage your credit score and delay your graduation to an unsecured card. Set up automatic payments or calendar reminders so you never miss a due date.

Don't confuse your deposit with a prepaid balance. Your deposit is held separately and doesn't pay your bill — you still need to make monthly payments from your checking account. Some people think their deposit covers their purchases, and then they're surprised by a late payment notice.

Finally, don't close the account when ready after graduation. Keeping the account open (even if you're not using it) helps your credit score because it maintains your credit history length and keeps your available credit high. You can stop using the card, but leave the account open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my deposit back before graduating to an unsecured card?

Not typically. Your deposit is held as collateral for the duration of the secured card. If you close the account before graduating, you'll get your deposit back, but closing the account will hurt your credit score. It's better to keep the account open and wait for graduation.

What if I can't afford a $500 deposit right now?

Some secured cards have lower minimums (as low as $200 or $300), so you could look at competitors. Alternatively, you could wait until you've saved $500 and then explore. There's no penalty for waiting, and having a larger deposit to start with can help you build credit faster.

Does Huntington report to all three credit bureaus?

Yes, Huntington reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This means your payment history will show up on all three of your credit reports, which is important because most lenders check multiple bureaus.

How long does it take to see my credit score improve?

Credit scores can start to improve within 30 to 60 days of on-time payments, but meaningful improvement usually takes several months. After 6 months of perfect payment history, you should see a noticeable increase if your score was very low to begin with.

What happens if I miss a payment on the secured card?

A missed payment gets reported to all three credit bureaus and will lower your credit score. Huntington may also charge a late fee. The longer you go without paying, the more damage occurs. If you miss a payment, contact Huntington as soon as possible to bring your account current.