Chase offers secured cards, but not under the Chase brand name

Chase does not sell a card branded as "Chase Secured Credit Card." However, Chase owns Capital One, which offers the Capital One Secured Mastercard — a secured card available to people rebuilding credit. If you bank with Chase and want a secured card, you would open a Capital One account separately; the two are different companies operationally, even though Chase owns the parent company.

Chase's own credit card lineup focuses on unsecured cards for people with established credit. If you have limited credit history or past damage, a Capital One Secured Mastercard through Chase's parent company is the closest option within the Chase ecosystem. You can also look at secured cards from other issuers like Discover or US Bank if you want to compare.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase does not issue its own secured credit card, but its parent company Capital One does offer the Capital One Secured Mastercard.
  • The Capital One Secured Mastercard requires a cash deposit between $200 and $2,500 that becomes your credit limit.
  • You report payment history to all three credit bureaus, which means on-time payments build your credit score over time.
  • After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, you may be able to convert to an unsecured card or close the account without losing the deposit.

How the Capital One Secured Mastercard works

When you open a Capital One Secured Mastercard, you deposit cash into a savings account held by Capital One. That deposit amount becomes your credit limit — if you deposit $500, your limit is $500. The deposit stays in the account and earns no interest. You use the card like any other credit card: make purchases, receive a monthly statement, and pay your bill.

Capital One reports your payment activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This means every on-time payment builds your credit history and raises your score. Late or missed payments also report, so the card works both ways — it rewards responsible use and penalizes missed payments just like an unsecured card would.

Deposit requirements and credit limits

Capital One accepts deposits ranging from $200 to $2,500. Your credit limit equals your deposit amount. There is no annual fee on the Capital One Secured Mastercard, which is unusual among secured cards and makes it a practical choice if you are cost-conscious.

The deposit is not a one-time fee — it is your own money held in reserve. You can request to increase your deposit later, which would increase your credit limit. You cannot withdraw the deposit while the account is open, but you can close the account and retrieve it once you no longer need the card.

When you might graduate to an unsecured card

Capital One reviews your account after 6 months of on-time payments. If your payment history is clean, they may offer to convert your secured card to an unsecured Capital One card. When this happens, your deposit is returned to you, and your credit limit may increase beyond the original deposit amount.

Conversion is not automatic and depends on your payment record. If you miss a payment or pay late, conversion is delayed. Some cardholders graduate after 6 months; others take 12 to 18 months. The timeline varies based on your individual credit behavior and Capital One's internal review process.

How a Chase secured card compares to other options

Since Chase does not issue a secured card under its own brand, you are comparing Capital One's offering to competitors. Discover also offers a secured card with no annual fee and a deposit range of $200 to $2,500. US Bank's Secured Visa has a similar structure. The main differences are in credit limit increases, conversion timelines, and whether the issuer reports to all three bureaus.

If you already have a Chase checking or savings account, opening a Capital One account is straightforward but requires a separate process and login. If you prefer to keep all your banking in one place, a Discover or US Bank secured card might feel simpler. The core mechanics — deposit, credit limit, reporting, and eventual conversion — are the same across all three.

What happens to your deposit if you close the account

If you close the Capital One Secured Mastercard, your deposit is returned to you within 5 to 7 business days. This is true whether you close it yourself or Capital One closes it. The deposit is not forfeited for any reason — it is always your money.

Some people close a secured card after converting to an unsecured card, since they no longer need the secured version. Others keep both open to maintain a longer credit history and lower credit utilization. Closing an account does not hurt your score as much as it once did, but keeping it open longer generally helps your credit profile.

How to open a Capital One Secured Mastercard

You can open a Capital One Secured Mastercard online at Capital One's website or by phone. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, income information, and current address. Capital One performs a soft credit pull to verify your identity and may check ChexSystems (a banking history database) to see if you have had problems with previous bank accounts.

Once approved, you fund the account by transferring money from your bank account or mailing a check. Capital One typically funds the card within 1 to 2 business days after receiving your deposit. You can then use the card when ready once it arrives in the mail, which usually takes 7 to 10 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Chase checking account to fund the Capital One deposit?

Yes. You can link your Chase account to Capital One and transfer money electronically. Capital One accepts transfers from any U.S. bank account. The transfer usually clears within 1 to 2 business days.

Does the Capital One Secured Mastercard have an annual fee?

No. Capital One does not charge an annual fee on the Secured Mastercard, which is one of its main advantages. Some other secured cards charge $25 to $95 per year, so this is a meaningful difference if cost is a factor.

What credit score do I need to open a Capital One Secured Mastercard?

Capital One does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. The card is designed for people with limited or damaged credit, so approval is possible even with a low score or no credit history. Your deposit amount may influence approval odds, but Capital One does not deny applications based on credit score alone.

Can I increase my credit limit without increasing my deposit?

Not initially. Your credit limit is tied to your deposit. After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, Capital One may increase your limit without requiring a larger deposit, but this is not may provide. You can always deposit more money yourself to raise your limit.

If Chase owns Capital One, can I manage both accounts through Chase's app?

No. Capital One is a separate company operationally, even though Chase is the parent company. You log into Capital One's app or website separately from Chase. The two accounts do not merge or share a single login.