Credit Cards

Choose a credit card that fits your goals.

Earn rewards or build your credit.

The right credit card depends on what you want it to do. Michigan First offers a rewards credit card for everyday purchases and a secured credit card designed to help eligible members establish or rebuild their credit history.

Compare the two options to find the credit card that fits your spending habits, credit goals and financial needs.

Rewards Credit Card or Secured Credit Card?

The Michigan First Rewards Mastercard may be the better fit if you qualify for an unsecured card and want to earn points on everyday purchases.

The Secured Mastercard may be a better place to begin if you are new to credit, have a limited credit history or are working to rebuild your credit.

Consider your primary goal:

Choose the Rewards Mastercard if you want to:

Earn rewards on eligible purchases
Receive additional points on eligible Michigan purchases
Avoid an annual fee
Access credit without securing it with savings
Redeem rewards for travel, gift cards, experiences or charitable donations

Consider the Secured Mastercard if you want to:

Begin establishing a credit history
Rebuild credit after previous financial challenges
Use savings to secure your credit card account
Practice responsible credit management
Work toward potentially qualifying for an unsecured card

Applying for the Rewards Mastercard after 12 months of successful secured-card management is permitted, but approval is not automatic. Applicants must satisfy the applicable credit and underwriting requirements.

Michigan First Rewards Mastercard

The Michigan First Rewards Mastercard allows you to earn points on eligible purchases while enjoying no annual fee or balance transfer fee.

Rewards Mastercard benefits

Earn 1.5 reward points per dollar on eligible purchases made in Michigan
Earn one reward point per dollar on other eligible purchases
Redeem points for available travel, gift cards, experiences and entertainment
Use points to make an eligible donation to a Michigan charity
Pay no annual fee
Pay no balance transfer fee
Access available Mastercard benefits and protections
Make contactless payments anywhere the contactless symbol is accepted

How do Michigan First credit card rewards work?

Cardholders earn points when they make eligible purchases with the Michigan First Rewards Mastercard. Eligible Michigan purchases earn 1.5 points per dollar, while other eligible purchases earn one point per dollar.

The number of points you earn will depend on the purchase amount, transaction eligibility and applicable rewards-program terms.

What can credit card points be used for?

Available redemption options include:

Gift cards
Travel
Experiences
Theme parks
Concerts
Sporting events
Theater events
Donations to eligible Michigan charities

Available rewards, redemption values and program terms may change. Review the current rewards program information before redeeming your points.

Michigan First Rewards Mastercard Rates and Fees

Michigan First Rewards Mastercard Card Agreement and Truth-in-Lending disclosure

Michigan First Secured Mastercard

The Michigan First Secured Mastercard is designed for eligible members who want to establish or rebuild their credit history.

Unlike a traditional unsecured credit card, the Secured Mastercard is backed by funds held in a Michigan First Savings Account. You can use the card for eligible purchases and make monthly payments according to your account terms.

Responsible account management - including making required payments on time and keeping the balance manageable - may help you build a stronger credit history over time.

Secured Mastercard benefits

Designed to help establish or rebuild credit
Secured by funds held in a Michigan First Savings Account
Access to Mastercard 24/7 Anti-Fraud and ID Theft Protection
Opportunity to apply for the Rewards Mastercard after 12 months of successful account management
Contactless payment capability
Available Mastercard benefits and protections

How does a secured credit card work?

A secured credit card requires money to be held in a savings account as security for the card. Although the account is secured by your savings, you must still make the required credit card payment each month.

The secured funds are not used automatically to pay your monthly balance. They remain on deposit according to the card agreement unless Michigan First uses them to address an unpaid obligation or they are otherwise released under the account terms.

Can a secured credit card help build credit?

A secured credit card may help establish or rebuild credit when account activity is reported to the credit bureaus and the card is managed responsibly.

Helpful habits include:

Making at least the required payment by its due date
Avoiding late or missed payments
Keeping the balance well below the credit limit
Reviewing statements for unauthorized transactions
Spending only what you can reasonably repay

Credit improvement is not guaranteed and depends on the member’s complete credit history and account activity.

Michigan First Secured Mastercard Rates and Fees

Michigan First Secured Mastercard Card Agreement and Truth-in-Lending disclosure

Credit card rates and fees

The annual percentage rate, or APR*, is the cost of borrowing money on your credit card. If you carry a balance beyond the applicable grace period, interest may be charged according to your card agreement.

Your approved APR may depend on factors such as your credit history and the card selected. Other charges may apply depending on how the account is used, including late-payment, returned-payment, foreign-transaction or cash-advance fees.

Review the current rates, fees and card agreement before applying.

Mastercard benefits and protections.

Eligible Michigan First Mastercard cardholders may have access to additional benefits provided by Mastercard.**

Available benefits may include:

Trip Cancellation and Delay Insurance
May reimburse certain eligible, nonrefundable expenses when a qualifying trip purchased with the covered card is canceled, interrupted or delayed for a covered reason.
May provide coverage for eligible theft or collision damage when you decline the rental company’s collision coverage and charge the full eligible rental cost to the covered card. Coverage within the United States may be secondary to personal auto insurance.
Identity Theft Protection
Provides eligible Mastercard cardholders with access to monitoring and resolution services if their identity is compromised.
Extended Warranty Protection
May extend the original manufacturer’s warranty on qualifying purchases made with the covered card.
Mastercard Priceless
Provides access to available travel, entertainment and experience benefits through Mastercard’s Priceless platform.

Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements, coverage terms, limitations and exclusions. Some benefits require a qualifying purchase with the covered card. Cardholders should consult the applicable Mastercard Guide to Benefits for complete details.

Pay with a tap

Michigan First Mastercard credit cards support contactless payments. When you see the contactless symbol at checkout, hold your card near the payment terminal to complete the transaction.

Contactless transactions use security technology similar to chip-card payments. If the contactless symbol appears on your Michigan First credit card, it is equipped for tap-to-pay purchases.

You may also be able to add an eligible card to a supported digital wallet. Confirm Michigan First’s current digital-wallet compatibility before publishing this statement.

Find the right card for what comes next

Whether you want to earn rewards on everyday purchases or build a stronger credit history, Michigan First has a credit card designed around your next financial goal.

Compare the available cards, review the current rates and choose the option that fits how you plan to borrow and spend.

Frequently asked questions

View All FAQs

Do I have to be a Michigan First member to apply for a loan?

Yes. You must become a Michigan First member before applying for a consumer loan. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, or worships in Michigan and begins by opening a Michigan First Savings Account with a minimum $10 deposit.

What credit score do I need to qualify for a Michigan First loan?

Michigan First does not use one minimum credit score for every loan. Approval and available rates depend on factors such as the type of loan, your credit history, income, existing debts, and ability to repay. Applying is the best way to learn which options and rates may be available to you.

What credit cards does Michigan First offer?

Michigan First offers two Mastercard® credit cards. The Michigan First Rewards Mastercard® earns rewards on eligible purchases and has no annual fee. The Secured Mastercard® is backed by funds in a Michigan First Savings Account and is designed to help cardholders establish or rebuild credit. Compare our Credit Cards.

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rates are based on credit score and subject to change without notice. The better the credit, the better the rate. Call Michigan First for details at 800.664.3828.

**With the exception of Travel and Emergency Assistance Services, benefits are available when you make a qualifying purchase with your card. Restrictions, limitations and exclusions apply. Once your account is opened we will send you a Guide to Benefits, which includes a full explanation of coverage. Benefits do not apply to cardholders whose account has been suspended or cancelled.