topic Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress in Credit Cards

Rebuilder card-First Progress

tbc — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:44:15 GMT

As a lurker for the last year, made great strides in rebuilding.

Wanted to share my experience thus far with the new First Progress secured credit card issued by Synovus Bank out of GA.

I saw them advertised on this site as a rebuilder/poor credit/bad credit.

I took the plunge. Prior to Jan of last year, I had one CC. (Forgive me if I am not really up on your lingo)

Applied Bank. I was ok with them, until Sept when they got rid of the annual fee and now charge 9.95 per month. When I say ok, I hardly used it except to send my daughter cookies at college. Paid in full or left a couple dollars. My one conversation with customer service, they sounded a million miles away, and I felt like I was talking to Peggy from the CC commerials. So, I started looking.

I researched from this site as much as I could about First Progress, with no success until someone mentioned here in a thread couple weeks ago.

I had already app'd online, and they called me within 5 days to verify identity and confirm information. At the end of the 5 min phone call call. They told me I was approved and I could expect my card within 7-10 days. Oh, I spoke with a pleasant female with a southern accent I clearly had no issues understanding.

The card arrived and I spending a lazy Halloween night at home, I called to activate and to close my Applied Bank. Still wondering if I should close the Applied Bank but taking a hit at 9.95, I keep thinking thats 120 bucks missing out of my IRA a year/ or clearly paying off one of my other collections.

The only negative comment I can leave thus far is it says, I could call 24/7 at 1-866-706-3584 to activate card. I got a voice mail that said they were closed. HUH?

Well, I just called them back to activate. Wasn't an automatic activation or an automatic voice, but a true live person that I spoke with. PLEASANT

I then decided to go ahead a log on and get my account set up. Had some difficulty and called customer service. They are clearly not set up for easy use online, however, the gentlemen I spoke to again with a southern accent, which I clearly understood, put me on hold for no more than 30 sec, after I had explained my inability to create a log on. He immediately took my number and referred to a supervisor to call me back.

Fortunately, BAM while on the phone, I figured out what I was doing wrong. He stayed on line with me, until I completed my log in, changed my passwords, and security questions, and didn't put me on hold, or talk to someone else. He patiently waited while I logged out, and could easily log back in. Asked if there was anything else he could do for me? and we hung up.

My point in this ........It truly sucks having messed up credit. It is a bright day in my life today to have a card that I could clearly understand customer service, and not have the stress of having to deal with sometimes rude/less than customer friendly representatives. Of course they are probably not understanding me as well, with my southern twang.....lol So, fair is fair.

I just wanted to give this inital review to those of you who are in my shoes.

FYI-I also closed my accounts recently with BOA and soon CITI I am slowly transferring to NFCU and USAA. My fiance is active duty and have been afforded that opportunity. I feel blessed.

I took the plunge and applied for the secured NFCU which was my inital offer upon approval of the account, and so pleased with the conversations and their patience.

Due to this site, and the awesomeness of the special people here diligently giving advice I have raised my credit score 125 points in the last year. Was more but I disputed 12 items on my CR. They deleted 7 and 1 came back as PIF.

Hope this little bit helps those who are wondering about First Progress.

(I wanted to add, it is so stressful in this society to have poor credit, and pricey, then to add poor customer service and a charge here and a charge there for allowing you to use your own money just to create a tradeline. I was so apprehensive about initiating this tradeline, due to the lack of information, but working diligently to create/build/restore, and most importantly pay those creditors I have let lag in the past. It was just good to feel good hanging up with both NFCU and First Progress. For the first time, I am actually feeling like I am truly making progress in righting what I let go wrong.)

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:32:49 GMT

Sounds like you are moving forward. Good to hear FIrst Progress is OK. They have been relatively unknown on this site.

I would definitely get rid of the Applied Bank as soon as you get the new CC all set up.

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

boomhower — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:43:09 GMT

Congrats on the progress. You are making good headway and are in the right spot with that CU. Treat them well and they will treat you very well. They will grow with you about as big as you can go. Once you are a little farther along add some of the other military CU's as well, they have some of the best CC limits most can get. Much easier to get large limits with them than the big banks like BOA, Chase, and Citi.

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:02:42 GMT

@tbc wrote:
As a lurker for the last year, made great strides in rebuilding.

Wanted to share my experience thus far with the new First Progress secured credit card issued by Synovus Bank out of GA.

I saw them advertised on this site as a rebuilder/poor credit/bad credit.

I took the plunge. Prior to Jan of last year, I had one CC. (Forgive me if I am not really up on your lingo)

Applied Bank. I was ok with them, until Sept when they got rid of the annual fee and now charge 9.95 per month. When I say ok, I hardly used it except to send my daughter cookies at college. Paid in full or left a couple dollars. My one conversation with customer service, they sounded a million miles away, and I felt like I was talking to Peggy from the CC commerials. So, I started looking.

I researched from this site as much as I could about First Progress, with no success until someone mentioned here in a thread couple weeks ago.

I had already app'd online, and they called me within 5 days to verify identity and confirm information. At the end of the 5 min phone call call. They told me I was approved and I could expect my card within 7-10 days. Oh, I spoke with a pleasant female with a southern accent I clearly had no issues understanding.

The card arrived and I spending a lazy Halloween night at home, I called to activate and to close my Applied Bank. Still wondering if I should close the Applied Bank but taking a hit at 9.95, I keep thinking thats 120 bucks missing out of my IRA a year/ or clearly paying off one of my other collections.

The only negative comment I can leave thus far is it says, I could call 24/7 at 1-866-706-3584 to activate card. I got a voice mail that said they were closed. HUH?

Well, I just called them back to activate. Wasn't an automatic activation or an automatic voice, but a true live person that I spoke with. PLEASANT

I then decided to go ahead a log on and get my account set up. Had some difficulty and called customer service. They are clearly not set up for easy use online, however, the gentlemen I spoke to again with a southern accent, which I clearly understood, put me on hold for no more than 30 sec, after I had explained my inability to create a log on. He immediately took my number and referred to a supervisor to call me back.

Fortunately, BAM while on the phone, I figured out what I was doing wrong. He stayed on line with me, until I completed my log in, changed my passwords, and security questions, and didn't put me on hold, or talk to someone else. He patiently waited while I logged out, and could easily log back in. Asked if there was anything else he could do for me? and we hung up.

My point in this ........It truly sucks having messed up credit. It is a bright day in my life today to have a card that I could clearly understand customer service, and not have the stress of having to deal with sometimes rude/less than customer friendly representatives. Of course they are probably not understanding me as well, with my southern twang.....lol So, fair is fair.

I just wanted to give this inital review to those of you who are in my shoes.

FYI-I also closed my accounts recently with BOA and soon CITI I am slowly transferring to NFCU and USAA. My fiance is active duty and have been afforded that opportunity. I feel blessed.

I took the plunge and applied for the secured NFCU which was my inital offer upon approval of the account, and so pleased with the conversations and their patience.

Due to this site, and the awesomeness of the special people here diligently giving advice I have raised my credit score 125 points in the last year. Was more but I disputed 12 items on my CR. They deleted 7 and 1 came back as PIF.

Hope this little bit helps those who are wondering about First Progress.

(I wanted to add, it is so stressful in this society to have poor credit, and pricey, then to add poor customer service and a charge here and a charge there for allowing you to use your own money just to create a tradeline. I was so apprehensive about initiating this tradeline, due to the lack of information, but working diligently to create/build/restore, and most importantly pay those creditors I have let lag in the past. It was just good to feel good hanging up with both NFCU and First Progress. For the first time, I am actually feeling like I am truly making progress in righting what I let go wrong.)

Hey first off welcome to the community! Second congratulations on making the improvement with your credit. I recently realized this year how important it is to keep an eye on your credit and to make sure the credit report is clean of any negatives. Btw have you signed up for the 10 day free trial to find out EQ Score?

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

Smug — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:22:03 GMT

We all have to start somewhere, congrats.

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

tbc — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:21:25 GMT

Good afternoon,

I have the score watch here for 14.95 a month.

I have utilized the heck out of it.

Thanks for the welcomes....and the advice.

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

hoping2rebuild — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:15:37 GMT

Now that you have had the card for a little bit are you happy with it?

how are they treating you?

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

Ron1 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:26:23 GMT

My brother has First Progress for less than a month and he didn't any problem. It's only complain and he was able to see the charges when the charges actually posted after a few days. He wanted to go for US Bank Harley Davidson Secured Visa and that one can be unsecured after making 12 months payments on time.

Ron.

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

tbc — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:05:28 GMT

no complaints. none. zero.

reporting great.

Sorry for the delay....i process of moving.

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

hoping2rebuild — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:46:27 GMT

After they took your deposit from the bank how long did it take

to get your card? and how soon did they start reporting?

Thanks

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

tbc — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:54:59 GMT

I got it within 5 days. I believe I got it in October. They reported Oct, Nov, and Dec. Jan is due.

It helped my score. I use it once a month to send my daughter cookies or shoes or a starbucks gift card to her at college. Pay it off. Keep utilization down.

Good luck.

Honestly after getting my NFCU secured card, its all I really use. Love the service and no annual fee.

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

tbc — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:55:46 GMT

i forgot to add, they took my deposit....called to verify and got my card 5 days after that.

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 23:55:33 GMT

Do not get a First Progress secured card. Flat out this company does something that is very underhanded in my opinion. ihave a secured card and ihave made very paymnet befor it was due and do not pay the minimum, i pay off all that i have used. When i make a paymnet from my major bank to First Progress, they hold that payment for up to ten days so for almost two weeks after you make a payment, you may not get those dollars available to charge with this card. They tell you it is becuase the must make sure your bank does not try to get those dollars back and i have checked with my bank, and they said this is not true. once the funds are out of my account they possess those dollars and my bank can not get them back. it becomes an issue between me and FP. These guys use people trying to rebuild their credit and do something very wrong. you go on line and your payment will show as your balance will show the amount due minus your payment in days but go try to use the card and guess what....it is REJECTED. They use your money for interest and i confirmed with managers at my bank that this is not usual. Do NOT GET THIS CARD. YOU have been warned by someone like you trying to rebuild their credit.

(Hi, vladimirk, and welcome to the forums! I removed your additional posts along these lines from this thread, as this first post got your point across very well, and the others saying essentially the same thing didn't contribute anything helpful and only served to distract and hijack the thread. Wanting to contribute is great and we welcome that, but please don't post the same message over and over within a single thread. Thanks. Welcome again! -Scamp, Mod)

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

tbc — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 23:16:18 GMT

I am sorry you are experiencing trouble with this cc.

I personally have not had an issue.

I don't count on using the card everyday either. I use it to buy a couple of things, and pay it off.

Again, using it as a rebuilder and not as an everyday card, It has not caused me issue, nor have I had the issue of them holding my funds.

Hope things work out for you.

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

Ron1 — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:13:45 GMT

My brother has this card for three months. He didn't have any problem with this card. He use it almost everyday. He paid online and they posted his payment within a day or two. It's better than his Credit One card.

Ron.

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:53:58 GMT

I was just approved for the card and was told it should be to me before the end of the month

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:41:02 GMT

Sorry to hear that you are having a bad experience with them, however I think this is kind of common with the secured cards in general.

I was raging mad when I had a similar surprise with my new capital one secured card. Being a new account holder they wait quite a while before applying the payment back to the available credit line. Once I got info from everyone here at the forum and talked to cap one about it I felt better. Now I know I just have to plan ahead for those delays... sucks but not much you can do about it. Hang in there!

I was going to apply for the first progress card, but hadn't heard much about them (good or bad) so I decided to wait until I found some reviews on them. I'm still debating.

Sounds like the OP is still happy with them? Not a lot of other info regarding others experience with FP in the forum

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

tbc — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:18:39 GMT

I will share one personal experience I have had with FP.

I left the United States to go visit my fiance at his new PCS. I was gone for 3 months. During that time, I took a job as a civil servant and was not paid for 30 days post start date.

Well, when you have rent, expenses...back here in the US, .and a dog that was injured in the process of going to the PCS. Had some unlikely expenses.

I came back to the US, with not much cash on hand.

My auto that had sit for a month, due to my friend who was watching my place here, was starting my car regularly....well he got called away on assignment.....Thus my auto sat, and sat, and sat.

Long story short......had to buy some new things for the car that sat, to make it go.....lol

Being short on cash until payment from civil servant job came, I used my FP card to purchase said items. I went over my limit by like 7 bucks. They still approved the transaction, and did not charge me an over the limit fee.

I paid all of balance but about 100 bucks , somewhere around the 5th to 7th day post purchases.

Again, monies were immediately applied.

Just an experience, I have had with them. I actually have thought about DCing this card and applying funds to my NFCU secured. Right now, I have no issue with them.

I am sorry for the poster that had a hard time, but I also realize that when rebuilding, we as the rebuilder community need to be aware that situations may come up, where these may not be available. Dont' rely on it for everyday use. Use it to rebuild. PERIOD.

Charge a few things, and pay it off. Plan, Plan, Plan.

I am gardening, and have been gardening since December.

As a rebuilder, I realize my credit did not go in the trash overnight and without my help. So, I realize I won't reach heaven (my goal) for a couple of solid couple of years.

Buying a house, everything will have to wait. Sudden quick fixes usually back fire, within a short period of time. Time, good payment habits, and planning is what will help improve bad credit.

Good luck on anyone considering FP.

Maybe I have just been one of the lucky ones.

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:30:12 GMT

@tbc wrote:
I will share one personal experience I have had with FP.

I left the United States to go visit my fiance at his new PCS. I was gone for 3 months. During that time, I took a job as a civil servant and was not paid for 30 days post start date.

Well, when you have rent, expenses...back here in the US, .and a dog that was injured in the process of going to the PCS. Had some unlikely expenses.

I came back to the US, with not much cash on hand.

My auto that had sit for a month, due to my friend who was watching my place here, was starting my car regularly....well he got called away on assignment.....Thus my auto sat, and sat, and sat.

Long story short......had to buy some new things for the car that sat, to make it go.....lol

Being short on cash until payment from civil servant job came, I used my FP card to purchase said items. I went over my limit by like 7 bucks. They still approved the transaction, and did not charge me an over the limit fee.

I paid all of balance but about 100 bucks , somewhere around the 5th to 7th day post purchases.

Again, monies were immediately applied.

Just an experience, I have had with them. I actually have thought about DCing this card and applying funds to my NFCU secured. Right now, I have no issue with them.

I am sorry for the poster that had a hard time, but I also realize that when rebuilding, we as the rebuilder community need to be aware that situations may come up, where these may not be available. Dont' rely on it for everyday use. Use it to rebuild. PERIOD.

Charge a few things, and pay it off. Plan, Plan, Plan.

I am gardening, and have been gardening since December.

As a rebuilder, I realize my credit did not go in the trash overnight and without my help. So, I realize I won't reach heaven (my goal) for a couple of solid couple of years.

Buying a house, everything will have to wait. Sudden quick fixes usually back fire, within a short period of time. Time, good payment habits, and planning is what will help improve bad credit.

Good luck on anyone considering FP.

Maybe I have just been one of the lucky ones.

Great perspective! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience and your thoughtful reflection on the rebuilding experience. Very well said!

Re: Rebuilder card-First Progress

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:50:50 GMT

I received my card on 4/23/12, I am hoping they will report for April. The card application and time I received it took about 7 caledar days total. I hope this will help me, since I received the card I have paid off 2 CA in full so maybe May will be a nice month for me score wise.. My total utilization of all my cards should be well within 10%..More info to follow.