Best Secured Credit Cards That Graduate to Unsecured Credit

Answer Capsule

Capital One is the consensus leader for secured credit cards with a realistic path to unsecured graduation, named by all seven AI platforms studied with an average listed rank of 2.57 and a best rank of 1. Discover is the strongest alternative for buyers who want automatic account reviews beginning around seven to eight months, earning six platform mentions and the best average listed rank in the study at 1.5. U.S. Bank ranks third for consumers who want a no-annual-fee secured card from a large national bank with rewards continuity after graduation. This index consolidates findings from seven AI platforms—OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, Grok, Perplexity, Kimi, and Google—which named 15 unique entities, of which 8 qualified by being mentioned by at least two platforms. The principal limitation is that platform recommendations reflect AI retrieval of published sources, not independent testing, and graduation outcomes are discretionary across every issuer studied.

Research Snapshot

Topic: Best Secured Credit Cards That Graduate to Unsecured Credit (Secured Cards With Unsecured Graduation)

Target buyer: Consumers who want a secured card with a realistic path to unsecured credit and potential return of the security deposit while keeping the account open

Platforms included (7): OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, Grok, Perplexity, Kimi, Google

Research date: 2026-09-04

Number of unique entities named: 15

Number of qualifying entities: 8

Eligibility rule: Named by at least two platforms during ranking discovery

Geography: United States

Ranking unit: Secured credit card

The Consensus Ranking

Which Option Is Best for Which Version of the Buyer Need?

1. Capital One

Verdict: Capital One is the consensus leader for secured cards with unsecured graduation, rated "good" or "strong" by all seven platforms. The Platinum Secured and Quicksilver Secured cards combine a documented—though not guaranteed—graduation pathway with deposit return without requiring account closure.

Why it ranked here: All seven platforms named Capital One during ranking discovery (100% platform share), giving it the highest mention count in the study. Its average listed rank of 2.57 and best rank of 1 reflect broad agreement that its combination of no annual fee, three-bureau reporting, and periodic account reviews best matches the buyer need.

Best suited for: Consumers who want a no-annual-fee secured card and can accept an undisclosed review timetable; applicants who may qualify for a deposit below the full initial credit limit through the Platinum Secured's $49 or $99 deposit path; consumers who want to keep the account open after a possible upgrade and preserve its account history.

Main strengths: Six of seven platforms confirmed three-bureau reporting to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Five platforms reported a $0 annual fee. The Quicksilver Secured offers 1.5% unlimited cash back, rare among secured cards. Capital One states secured accounts are periodically reviewed for unsecured upgrade without requiring reapplication. The Platinum Secured allows qualified applicants to open with deposits of $49, $99, or $200 for a $200 starting credit limit.

Main limitations: No platform found a public guarantee of graduation or a fixed qualifying timetable. User-reported graduation times range from roughly 6 months to over 6 years, with one report of 6.5 years. The variable purchase APR is high, with most platforms citing 28.99%–29.99%.

Pricing summary: $0 annual fee per five platforms (Anthropic reported $39); minimum deposit $200 on Quicksilver Secured; $49–$200 on Platinum Secured for qualified applicants; variable APR approximately 28.99%–29.99% per most platforms.

Where platforms disagreed: Annual fee ($0 vs. $39), APR range (19.9%–25.9% vs. 28.99%–29.99%), graduation timeline (6 months to over 6 years), foreign transaction fees ($0 vs. 3%), and whether the Platinum Secured remains available to new applicants.

For the complete fit review of Capital One, see the full analysis of platform citations, pricing tables, and verification questions.

2. Discover

Verdict: Discover is a strong fit, rated "strong" or "good" by five of seven platforms, with the best average listed rank in the study at 1.5. The Discover it Secured card's issuer-stated automatic monthly reviews beginning at seven to eight months make it the most predictable graduation path among major issuers.

Why it ranked here: Six platforms named Discover during ranking discovery (85.7% share). It was ranked first by DeepSeek, Google, and Kimi, and second by Anthropic, OpenAI, and Perplexity, producing the study's lowest average listed rank of 1.5.

Best suited for: Applicants who want automatic account reviews for possible unsecured graduation without needing to request a manual upgrade; consumers who want the deposit potentially returned while preserving the account relationship and credit history; consumers who value no annual fee, cash back rewards during the secured phase, and three-bureau reporting.

Main strengths: Discover states it begins automatic monthly account reviews at seven months. The card has no annual fee and reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 combined quarterly) and 1% on other purchases, with first-year Cashback Match. Kimi reported the account converts rather than being replaced, preserving the original account opening date and protecting credit history length.

Main limitations: Graduation is discretionary, not guaranteed. The variable APR is high, with reported rates ranging from 19.99% to 28.49% depending on platform and research date. Grok reported the card may be paused for new applicants as of June 2026, a claim no other platform confirmed.

Pricing summary: No annual fee; refundable security deposit of $200 to $2,500; variable APR reported between 19.99% and 28.49% across platforms.

Where platforms disagreed: Review timing (7 vs. 8 months), product availability in 2026, deposit return mechanics (check vs. statement credit; two billing cycles vs. four to six business days), and APR figures.

For the complete fit review of Discover, see the full analysis of graduation policy, deposit return, and verification questions.

3. U.S. Bank

Verdict: U.S. Bank is a mixed-to-good fit, named by six of seven platforms. Its secured versions of popular rewards cards—Cash+ Secured and Altitude Go Secured—can graduate to premium unsecured Visa Signature cards with deposit return, but the graduation process lacks published objective criteria.

Why it ranked here: Six platforms named U.S. Bank during ranking discovery (85.7% share), with an average listed rank of 3.17 and a best rank of 2 from Google. Fit ratings ranged from "strong" (Grok) to "uncertain" (DeepSeek).

Best suited for: Consumers who want a no-annual-fee secured card from a large national bank with a branch network; applicants without recent bankruptcies who can wait at least 12 months for the first graduation review; consumers who want rewards while building credit and plan to keep the account long term.

Main strengths: All platforms that reported fees agreed on $0 annual fees across secured products. Platforms unanimously confirmed three-bureau reporting. The security deposit range of $300–$5,000 is among the highest available. U.S. Bank's own documentation states the deposit is returned within one to two billing cycles after graduation. The Cash+ Secured offers up to 5% cash back in selected categories; the Altitude Go Secured offers up to 4X points on dining.

Main limitations: U.S. Bank does not publish objective graduation criteria. User reports indicate graduation can require a manual request, trigger hard credit inquiries, and take anywhere from 12 months to more than 3 years. Applicants with recent Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcies face reported holds of approximately 5 years from discharge.

Pricing summary: $0 annual fee on all secured products; security deposit $300–$5,000; purchase APR approximately 25–26% per third-party sources but not publicly disclosed on product pages.

Where platforms disagreed: Whether graduation is automatic or requires manual request; whether account history is preserved after graduation; APR disclosure; rewards availability on secured products.

For the complete fit review of U.S. Bank, see the full analysis of graduation policy, review timing, and user-reported experiences.

4. Citi Secured Mastercard

Verdict: The Citi Secured Mastercard is a moderate fit, named by five of seven platforms with an average listed rank of 5.6. Its $0 annual fee and three-bureau reporting are strengths, but graduation is discretionary, the review timeline is slower than key competitors, and the card earns no rewards.

Why it ranked here: Five platforms named Citi during ranking discovery (71.4% share). Fit ratings were split: two "good," three "mixed," one "uncertain," and one "weak." Its average rank of 5.6 and best rank of 4 place it mid-pack.

Best suited for: Applicants who can confirm Citi is currently accepting applications; consumers prioritizing no annual fee and a potential deposit return; consumers willing to accept discretionary account reviews rather than guaranteed graduation.

Main strengths: All seven platforms that provided fit assessments agreed the card has no annual fee. Six platforms reported three-bureau reporting. Citi's official product page states reviews for early graduation begin at 9 months, then repeat every 12 months. The security deposit may be returned while the account remains open as an unsecured card.

Main limitations: Graduation is discretionary and not guaranteed. The card earns no cash back or points. The maximum credit limit is capped at $2,500, lower than competitors allowing up to $5,000. Multiple sources conflict on annual fee, deposit minimum, review timing, and deposit return mechanics.

Pricing summary: $0 annual fee per majority of sources (one platform reported $95); security deposit $200–$2,500 per most platforms; variable purchase APR 25.99%–28.99% depending on source.

Where platforms disagreed: Annual fee ($0 vs. $95), deposit minimum ($200 vs. $500), review timing (9 vs. 18 months), APR figures, and whether graduation converts the account or creates a new tradeline.

For the complete fit review of Citi Secured Mastercard, see the full analysis of graduation policy, fees, and verification questions.

5. OpenSky Plus Secured Visa

Verdict: The OpenSky Plus Secured Visa is a mixed-to-weak fit, named by four of seven platforms. Its no-credit-check application and three-bureau reporting make it accessible, but platforms disagreed sharply on whether the card graduates at all.

Why it ranked here: Four platforms named OpenSky during ranking discovery (57.1% share), with an average listed rank of 5.5 and a best rank of 3 from Anthropic. Fit ratings ranged from "good" (Grok) to "weak" (DeepSeek and Kimi).

Best suited for: Consumers who need a secured card with three-bureau reporting and cannot qualify for mainstream secured cards due to credit barriers; applicants who value no annual fee on the Plus product and can pay the balance in full; consumers willing to accept issuer-discretionary graduation.

Main strengths: All seven platforms confirmed three-bureau reporting. OpenSky does not perform a traditional credit check at application, making it accessible to applicants with no credit history, poor credit, or active bankruptcies. Google reported a high approval rate averaging over 86%. The Plus product is marketed with a $0 annual fee. Deposit funding is flexible, including money orders and Western Union.

Main limitations: The central conflict is whether the card graduates. DeepSeek and Kimi cited independent sources stating OpenSky never graduates accounts and requires closure for deposit return. Grok cited OpenSky's blog describing an automatic review after six months with invitation to the unsecured OpenSky Gold card. The deposit return process is tied to account closure per OpenSky's public language.

Pricing summary: $0 annual fee on Plus product per most platforms (Anthropic reported unverified $35–$95 range; DeepSeek reported $0 first year then $35); minimum deposit $300 per Grok, Perplexity, and Google ($200 per others, possibly referencing legacy card); variable APR approximately 28.24% per current materials.

Where platforms disagreed: Whether graduation exists at all, deposit return process, annual fee, minimum deposit, and APR figures.

For the complete fit review of OpenSky Plus Secured Visa, see the full analysis of graduation policy conflicts and verification questions.

6. Navy Federal Credit Union

Verdict: Navy Federal Credit Union is a conditional good fit for eligible members, named by three of seven platforms with an average listed rank of 4.33 and a best rank of 1. The cashRewards Secured card offers a documented six-month review cycle, but membership eligibility excludes most U.S. consumers.

Why it ranked here: Three platforms named Navy Federal during ranking discovery (42.9% share). OpenAI ranked it first, giving it a best rank of 1. Fit ratings ranged from "uncertain" (Kimi) to "strong" (Google, Grok, DeepSeek, Perplexity).

Best suited for: Consumers eligible for Navy Federal membership who can maintain a relationship with the credit union; applicants willing to fund a deposit equal to the desired secured credit limit; consumers who value potential conversion to an unsecured Navy Federal card while preserving the account relationship.

Main strengths: The cashRewards Secured card has a stated six-month account review for eligibility to upgrade to an unsecured cashRewards card, with monthly reviews thereafter. Five platforms confirmed no annual fee. The card earns unlimited 1% cash back while secured, increasing to 1.5% upon graduation. The security deposit earns dividends while held. Perplexity specified the deposit hold is removed within 3 to 5 business days after upgrade.

Main limitations: Membership requires qualifying military, Department of Defense, veteran, household, or family categories, excluding the general public. Graduation is not guaranteed. Three-bureau reporting is supported by independent reviews but not directly confirmed in official materials. Platform fit ratings varied widely due to inconsistent public documentation.

Pricing summary: $0 annual fee; security deposit $200 minimum up to $5,000; purchase APR 18.00% variable per Google, Grok, and Perplexity (DeepSeek reported 14.49%–24.49% range).

Where platforms disagreed: Overall fit rating, three-bureau reporting confirmation, product identity and availability, actual graduation timing, APR, and foreign transaction fees ($0 vs. 1%).

For the complete fit review of Navy Federal Credit Union, see the full analysis of membership eligibility, graduation policy, and verification questions.

7. Chime Credit Builder Visa

Verdict: The Chime Credit Builder Visa is a weak fit for this use case, named by three of seven platforms with an average listed rank of 7.67. Six of seven platforms rated it "weak" because no platform found a verified graduation policy, review timeline, or deposit-return mechanism tied to unsecured conversion.

Why it ranked here: Three platforms named Chime during ranking discovery (42.9% share). Its average listed rank of 7.67 and best rank of 5 reflect the structural mismatch between Chime's credit-building model and the graduation-focused buyer need.

Best suited for: Consumers who want a fee-free credit-building tool with three-bureau reporting and can accept that it is not a traditional secured card graduation product; those who prefer a credit-builder card that doesn't require an upfront deposit; existing Chime users who prioritize low ongoing costs.

Main strengths: Six platforms confirmed three-bureau reporting to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Six platforms confirmed no annual fee and no interest charges on purchases. Some sources also cite no late fees and no foreign transaction fees. Kimi reported Chime reports as a regular credit card, not as "secured."

Main limitations: All seven platforms agreed Chime lacks a documented graduation mechanism to unsecured credit. There is no scheduled account review for graduation eligibility. Funds can be transferred back to checking at any time, but this reduces the credit limit and is not a graduation deposit return. To permanently retrieve held balances, users must close the card rather than graduate.

Pricing summary: $0 annual fee; 0% APR/no interest; $0 monthly maintenance fee; $0 late payment fee; no minimum security deposit—user sets spending limit.

Where platforms disagreed: Fit rating (weak vs. uncertain), product categorization (secured card vs. unique model), deposit structure description, reporting classification, and product name/rebranding.

For the complete fit review of Chime Credit Builder Visa, see the full analysis of the non-traditional deposit structure and verification questions.

8. Self Visa Credit Card

Verdict: The Self Visa Credit Card is a weak-to-mixed fit, named by only two of seven platforms with an average listed rank of 9.0. Its three-bureau reporting and low $100 minimum deposit are strengths, but Self does not appear to offer a fully unsecured credit card, meaning the deposit is only returned upon account closure.

Why it ranked here: Only DeepSeek and Kimi named Self during ranking discovery (28.6% share), the minimum threshold for qualification. Its average listed rank of 9.0 was the highest (weakest) in the study.

Best suited for: Consumers who prioritize three-bureau reporting and want payment activity reported from day one; those who lack a lump-sum deposit and prefer to build savings while building credit through the Credit Builder Account structure; first-time credit builders with limited credit history who want to avoid a hard credit check.

Main strengths: All seven platforms confirmed monthly reporting to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The card offers a low $100 minimum deposit under updated terms. No hard credit check or minimum credit score is required to apply. The card is tied to the Self Credit Builder Account ecosystem, which allows savings accumulation alongside credit building.

Main limitations: Google stated flatly that Self does not offer graduation to a fully unsecured card because it does not offer fully unsecured credit cards. The security deposit is only returned upon account closure with a zero balance, typically within 10–14 business days. The card carries a $25 annual fee after the first year, rare among modern secured cards. The card offers no rewards.

Pricing summary: $0 first-year annual fee, then $25/year; security deposit $100 minimum (direct option) or $25–$2,500; variable purchase APR 19.99%–28.11% depending on source; late payment fee up to $15.

Where platforms disagreed: Whether graduation is possible at all, deposit structure (traditional deposit vs. Credit Builder Account savings model), annual fee versus monthly fees, and APR figures.

For the complete fit review of Self Visa Credit Card, see the full analysis of the deposit return process and verification questions.

What the Cross-Platform Study Reveals About This Market

This study reveals that no major issuer guarantees secured card graduation. Across all eight qualifying entities, every platform that addressed the question agreed that graduation is discretionary and depends on issuer review. The differences between products lie in how transparent issuers are about their review processes, how quickly reviews begin, and whether the deposit can be returned while keeping the account open.

The market splits into three structural categories. First, traditional secured cards from major issuers—Capital One, Discover, U.S. Bank, and Citi—that describe periodic reviews for possible conversion to unsecured status. Second, credit-union and alternative products—Navy Federal and OpenSky—that offer either membership-gated access or no-credit-check approval but with less consistent graduation documentation. Third, credit-builder products—Chime and Self—that report to credit bureaus but do not offer a traditional graduation event at all.

The study also reveals that rewards during the secured phase are becoming a differentiator. Capital One's Quicksilver Secured offers 1.5% flat cash back, Discover it Secured offers 2% rotating categories with first-year Cashback Match, and U.S. Bank's Cash+ Secured and Altitude Go Secured offer up to 5% cash back and 4X points respectively. These rewards can continue after graduation, increasing long-term account value.

Where the AI Platforms Agreed

No guaranteed graduation: All platforms agreed that no issuer guarantees graduation to unsecured status. Every product's graduation path is subject to issuer review based on criteria that are not fully disclosed.

Three-bureau reporting is standard: Platforms consistently confirmed that Capital One, Discover, U.S. Bank, Citi, OpenSky, Chime, and Self report to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This was treated as a baseline expectation rather than a differentiator.

Deposit return upon graduation: For traditional secured cards from Capital One, Discover, U.S. Bank, and Citi, platforms agreed the security deposit is returned when the account graduates, typically while the account remains open.

High APRs are the norm: Platforms consistently described variable purchase APRs in the high-20% range for most secured cards, making balance-carrying expensive across the category.

No annual fee is increasingly standard: Most qualifying entities—Capital One, Discover, U.S. Bank, Citi, OpenSky Plus, Navy Federal, and Chime—were reported to have $0 annual fees by at least some platforms.

Account history preservation matters: Platforms that addressed the issue agreed that account conversion—rather than closure and new account opening—preserves credit history length, which benefits FICO scores.

Where the AI Platforms Disagreed

Whether OpenSky graduates at all: Grok cited OpenSky's blog describing a six-month review and invitation to the unsecured OpenSky Gold card. DeepSeek and Kimi cited independent sources stating OpenSky never graduates accounts and requires closure for deposit return. This is the most significant factual conflict in the study.

Graduation timing: Platforms disagreed on when reviews begin for nearly every issuer. For Capital One, reported timelines ranged from 6 months to over 6 years. For Discover, platforms cited both 7 and 8 months. For Citi, sources cited 9 and 18 months. For U.S. Bank, platforms cited 12 months and a broader 6–12 month range.

Automatic vs. manual graduation: For U.S. Bank, official marketing language suggests possible automatic graduation, but Anthropic cited user reports indicating many cardholders must call customer service to request a review, often triggering a hard credit inquiry.

Annual fees: Anthropic reported a $39 annual fee for Capital One secured cards and a $95 annual fee for Citi Secured Mastercard, conflicting with all other platforms that reported $0 annual fees for both products.

Product availability: Grok reported Discover it Secured may be paused for new applicants as of June 2026. DeepSeek reported Capital One Platinum Secured may be discontinued for new applicants as of 2025. No other platforms confirmed either claim.

APR figures: Reported APRs varied substantially across platforms for the same products, reflecting different research dates and possibly different applicant profiles. For Discover, rates ranged from 19.99% to 28.49%.

Account conversion vs. replacement: Platforms disagreed on whether graduation preserves the original account's credit history or creates a new tradeline, particularly for Citi and U.S. Bank.

How Buyers Should Choose

Start by confirming whether you need a traditional graduation path or simply credit reporting. If your primary goal is a documented path to unsecured credit with deposit return while keeping the account open, focus on the top three ranked entities: Capital One, Discover, and U.S. Bank.

If you want the most predictable review timeline, Discover's stated seven-to-eight-month automatic review process is the clearest among major issuers, though graduation is still not guaranteed. If you want the lowest possible entry deposit, Capital One's Platinum Secured may allow qualified applicants to open with $49 or $99 for a $200 limit. If you want rewards continuity after graduation, U.S. Bank's Cash+ Secured and Altitude Go Secured graduate to premium Visa Signature cards with the same earning structures.

Check your eligibility before comparing products. Navy Federal requires military, Department of Defense, veteran, or family affiliation. OpenSky requires no credit check but has disputed graduation terms. Chime and Self do not offer traditional graduation at all.

Verify current terms directly with the issuer before applying. The study found unresolved factual conflicts on annual fees, APRs, review timing, and product availability for nearly every entity. Platform-reported research dates ranged from 2025 to 2026, and terms may have changed.

Methodology

This study used one standardized prompt sent once to each of seven AI platforms: OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, Grok, Perplexity, Kimi, and Google. Each platform was asked to evaluate secured credit cards against the use case of consumers who want a secured card with a realistic path to unsecured credit and potential return of the security deposit while keeping the account open.

Platform responses were evaluated against seven category criteria: graduation policy, review timing, deposit return process, three-bureau reporting, annual fees, APR, and long-term account value. Each platform named entities during a ranking discovery stage and provided fit assessments with source citations.

Entities were eligible for inclusion if named by at least two platforms during ranking discovery. The final ranking was determined by platform mentions, then average listed rank, then best listed rank. The 15 unique entities named were reduced to 8 qualifying entities.

Each qualifying entity received a full fit review consolidating platform responses, deduplicated citations, pricing tables, and verification questions. The authoritative research date is 2026-09-04. Platform-reported research dates varied and are treated as provenance metadata, not proof of freshness.

Methodology Limitations

AI answers vary by context: AI answers can vary by date, wording, location, account state, model, interface, browsing configuration, and the sources retrieved. This study reflects responses from a single standardized prompt at a specific time.

Platform recommendations are not independent reviews: Platform recommendations represent AI retrieval and synthesis of published sources, not independent testing, customer experience verification, or proof of product quality.

Factual conflicts remain unresolved: The study describes conflicts in annual fees, APRs, review timing, graduation policies, and product availability rather than resolving them. Buyers must verify current terms directly with issuers.

Platform-reported research dates differ: Some platform responses predate the authoritative run date by months, meaning they may reflect older product information.

Supplied URLs were not independently validated: URLs were collected from platform responses and were not independently verified by the writer stage.

Company-owned sources dominate some reviews: For entities like U.S. Bank and Navy Federal, company-owned citations materially outnumber independent citations. Company claims about graduation policies and deposit return should not be treated as independently verified.

No personal testing: No platform or writer personally applied for these cards, experienced the graduation process, or verified graduation success rates.

Product availability unverified: Several platforms reported potential pauses or discontinuations of specific products that could not be confirmed.

Final Verdict

The AI platform consensus identifies Capital One as the leading choice for consumers seeking a secured credit card with a realistic path to unsecured graduation. Its combination of no annual fee, three-bureau reporting, a documented graduation pathway, and deposit return upon graduation without requiring account closure addresses the core buyer need. The Quicksilver Secured's 1.5% cash back adds value during the secured phase.

Discover is the strongest alternative for buyers who want the most predictable review timeline, with automatic monthly reviews beginning at seven to eight months and account conversion that preserves credit history. U.S. Bank ranks third for consumers who want rewards continuity after graduation to premium Visa Signature cards.

The study's central finding is that no issuer guarantees graduation. Every product's path to unsecured credit is discretionary and subject to issuer review. Buyers should select the issuer whose review process, timeline, and deposit return terms best match their tolerance for uncertainty, then verify current terms directly before applying.

For buyers who cannot qualify for mainstream secured cards, OpenSky offers no-credit-check access with three-bureau reporting, though its graduation terms are disputed. Navy Federal offers a documented six-month review path but requires military affiliation. Chime and Self provide credit reporting without traditional graduation and should not be selected as graduation-focused cards.

For broader guidance on building or rebuilding credit, explore the credit building rebuilding category directory.

Consolidated Sources

Company-Owned Sources

• Capital One Credit Card Agreement for Consumer Secured Cards: https://ecm.capitalone.com/WCM/card/credit-card-agreement-for-consumer-secured-cards-in-capital-one-na.pdf
• Capital One Quicksilver Secured Rewards Card: https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/quicksilver-secured/
• Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/platinum-secured/
• Capital One Secured Credit Card - How It Works & Graduation: https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/secured/
• Capital One Upgrading from a Secured to an Unsecured Credit Card: https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/unsecuring-capital-one-secured-card-upgrade/
• Discover it Secured Credit Card: https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/secured-credit-card/
• Discover Secured Cardmember Agreement Pricing Schedule: https://www.discover.com/content/dam/discover/en_us/credit-cards/card-portfolio/docs/cma/Secured_Cardmember_Agreement_063025.pdf
• Discover How to Graduate From a Secured Credit Card: https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/card-smarts/doing-what-it-takes-to-graduate-from-your-secured-card/
• U.S. Bank Secured Visa Card: https://www.usbank.com/credit-cards/secured-visa-credit-card.html
• U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured Visa Card: https://www.usbank.com/credit-cards/cash-plus-secured-visa-credit-card.html
• U.S. Bank Altitude Go Secured Visa Card: https://www.usbank.com/credit-cards/altitude-go-secured-visa-credit-card.html
• U.S. Bank How Do I Upgrade My Secured Credit Card: https://www.usbank.com/customer-service/knowledge-base/KB0238524.html
• Citi Secured Credit Card: https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/secured-credit-card
• Citi Secured Mastercard Product Page: https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/citi-secured-credit-card
• OpenSky Plus Secured Visa: https://www.openskycc.com/plus-secured-visa
• OpenSky How Do I Graduate from a Secured Card: https://www.openskycc.com/blog/how-to-graduate-to-an-unsecured-credit-card
• OpenSky Plus Secured Visa Credit Card Agreement: https://app.openskycc.com/files/ca-p-014.pdf
• Navy Federal cashRewards Secured Credit Card: https://www.navyfederal.org/loans-cards/credit-cards/cashrewards-secured.html
• Navy Federal Membership Eligibility: https://www.navyfederal.org/membership/become-a-member.html
• Navy Federal Credit Card Rates: https://www.navyfederal.org/rates.html
• Chime Credit Builder Secured Credit-Building Visa Card: https://www.chime.com/credit-builder/
• Chime How Credit Reporting Works: https://www.chime.com/blog/credit-builder-how-does-credit-reporting-work/
• Self Visa Secured Credit Card: https://www.self.inc/visa-secured-credit-card
• Self When Will I Get My Security Deposit Back: https://support.self.inc/s/article/When-will-I-get-my-security-deposit-back-for-the-Self-Visa-Credit-Card

Independent Sources

• Bankio - Best Secured Credit Cards with Graduation Paths August 2026: https://bankio.io/knowledge/what_are_the_best_secured_credit_cards_with_graduation_paths_in_august_2026.php
• Bankio - Requirements to Graduate from a Secured Credit Card in 2026: https://bankio.io/knowledge/what_are_the_requirements_to_graduate_from_a_secured_credit_card_to_an_unsecured_card_in_2026.php
• Scorenerds - Best Secured Credit Cards 2026: https://scorenerds.com/credit-cards/secured-cards-ranked
• NerdWallet - Do Secured Cards Graduate: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/do-secured-cards-graduate
• NerdWallet - Best Secured Credit Cards: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/credit-cards/secured
• NerdWallet - Capital One Quicksilver Secured Review: https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/capital-one-quicksilver-secured
• NerdWallet - Citi Secured Mastercard Review: https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/citi-secured
• NerdWallet - OpenSky Plus Secured Visa Review: https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/opensky-plus-secured-visa-credit-card
• NerdWallet - Self Visa Review: https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/self
• NerdWallet - U.S. Bank Secured Visa Review: https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/us-bank-secured-visa
• NerdWallet - Chime Credit Builder Visa Full Review: https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/chime-credit-builder
• Forbes Advisor - Capital One Platinum Secured Review: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/reviews/capital-one-secured-credit-card/
• Forbes Advisor - Citi Secured Mastercard Review: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/citi-secured-mastercard-review/
• Forbes Advisor - Navy Federal CashRewards Secured Review: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/reviews/navy-federal-credit-union-cashrewards-secured-card/
• Forbes Advisor - OpenSky Secured Visa Review: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/reviews/opensky-secured-visa/
• Forbes Advisor - Chime Credit Builder Visa Review: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/chime-credit-builder-visa-review/
• Forbes Advisor - Self Visa Review: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/reviews/secured-self-visa-credit-card/
• Bankrate - Capital One Secured Credit Card Review: https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/capital-one-secured-credit-card-review/
• Bankrate - Self Visa Review: https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/reviews/self-visa-secured-credit-card/
• Credit Karma - Capital One Quicksilver Secured Review: https://www.creditkarma.com/credit-cards/i/capital-one-quicksilver-secured-review
• Experian - How Secured Credit Cards Work: https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-does-a-secured-credit-card-work/
• Experian - Secured Credit Cards with Graduation Opportunities: https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/secured-credit-cards-that-graduate-to-unsecured/
• myFICO Forums - Capital One Secured Card Graduation After 6.5 Years: https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Approvals/Capital-One-Secured-Card-Graduation-After-6-5-Years-LOL/td-p/6859345
• myFICO Forums - U.S. Bank Secured Card Graduation Experience: https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Rebuilding-Your-Credit/Has-anyone-had-any-experience-with-U-S-Bank-secured-credit-card/td-p/6795503
• myFICO Forums - NFCU nRewards Graduation Datapoint: https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/NFCU-nRewards-graduation-datapoint/td-p/6644564
• Reddit - How Long Did It Take for Your Cap1 to Graduate: https://www.reddit.com/r/CRedit/comments/18h46om/how_long_did_it_actually_take_for_your_cap1_to/
• Reddit - Capital One Graduated My Secured Card After 11 Months: https://www.reddit.com/r/CRedit/comments/1be9v9u/capital_one_graduated_my_secured_card_returned/
• Reddit - Chime Credit Builder Question: https://www.reddit.com/r/CRedit/comments/1b88eou/probably_a_silly_question_chime_credit_builder/
• WalletHub - U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured Graduation: https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/us-bank-cash-plus-secured-credit-card-graduation-2140864650/
• WalletHub - Navy Federal Secured Card Reviews: https://wallethub.com/d/navy-federal-nrewards-secured-credit-card-886c
• WalletHub - OpenSky Deposit Refund: https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/opensky-refundable-deposit-2140843346/
• WalletHub - Self Credit Card Deposit Return: https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/self-credit-card-deposit-return-1000322-2140789104/
• WalletHub - Self Visa Graduation: https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/self-visa-credit-card-graduation-2140667086/
• WalletHub - Chime Credit Card Deposit Refund: https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/chime-credit-card-deposit-refund-2140806129/
• Business Insider - Citi Secured Mastercard Review: https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/citi-secured-mastercard-review
• Business Insider - U.S. Bank Altitude Go Secured Review: https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/us-bank-altitude-go-secured-credit-card-review
• Investopedia - Best Secured Credit Cards of April 2026: https://www.investopedia.com/best-secured-credit-cards-4782898
• LendingTree - U.S. Bank Secured Visa Review: https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/review/us-bank-secured/
• The Motley Fool - Citi Secured Mastercard Review: https://www.fool.com/money/credit-cards/citi/citi-secured-mastercard-review/
• MoneyCrashers - Citi Secured Mastercard Review: https://www.moneycrashers.com/citi-secured-mastercard-review/
• Screened - 12 Best Secured Credit Cards of January 2026: https://www.screened.com/credit-cards/best-secured-cards/
• FinanceBuzz - OpenSky Secured Visa Review: https://financebuzz.com/opensky-secured-visa-review
• CardRates - Self Credit Card Reviews: https://www.cardrates.com/credit-cards/self-credit-card/
• ClearValue Lending - Capital One Quicksilver Secured Review: https://clearvaluelending.com/reviews/capital-one-quicksilver-secured
• ClearValue Lending - 6 Best Secured Credit Cards of 2026: https://clearvaluelending.com/credit/builder/best-secured-credit-cards-2026
• Cardocrat - Capital One Quicksilver Secured Review: https://cardocrat.com/reviews/capitalonequicksilversecured/
• Minimal Guy - Discover it Secured Review: https://minimalguy.com/p1-discover-it-secured-credit-card-review-2026/
• Firstcard - Discover it Secured Review: https://www.firstcard.app/learn/discover-it-secured-credit-card-review-2026
• Firstcard - Navy Federal Secured Review: https://www.firstcard.app/learn/navy-federal-secured-credit-card-review-2026
• Firstcard - OpenSky Secured Review: https://www.firstcard.app/learn/opensky-credit-card-review-2026
• WalletGrower - Self Credit Builder Review: https://walletgrower.com/credit-building/self-credit-builder-review
• The Balance - Best Secured Credit Cards: https://www.thebalance.com/best-secured-credit-cards-4693145
• CNET - OpenSky Secured Visa: https://www.cnet.com/
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - What Is a Secured Credit Card: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-secured-credit-card-en-414/