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Elan "Max Cash" -vs- US Bank Cash+

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Aim_High
Super Contributor

Elan "Max Cash" -vs- US Bank Cash+

Many of you already know about Elan Financial Services, but I'll give a brief introduction to our members who may not be familiar.  Among other financial services, Elan is the largest "agent" credit card issuer in the United States.  It is a subsidiary of US Bancorp, the parent company that also includes US Bank which is the fifth largest bank in the USA.   Agent card issuers like Elan work with smaller banks and credit unions that may want to provide credit products to their members but want to outsource the cards and servicing to a third party instead of trying to manage them in-house.  You'll recognize financial institutions that do this when you visit their credit card pages and you are linked outside their web page with a cautionary note.   The card offerings from any one card agent tend to be similar if not identical.  The same products are just branded for the participating financial institution. 

 

Elan_Financial_Services.jpg

 

Probably the best known Elan product on My Fico is the Fidelity Rewards Visa which pays up to 2% back when redeemed to a Fidelity Investments account.  Elan took over the Fidelity account in 2015 after the similar American Express card was discontinued.    US Bank is known for their conservative lending over new accounts, with the 1/12 rule usually observed (1 new revolving account or less in the previous 12 months.)  Similarly, as a subsidiary of USB, Elan has been somewhat conservative in approvals for the Fidelity card but data points indicate they are more relaxed.  I found several reports over the past two years of approvals with well in excess of one new revolver.  One approval two years ago reported as many as nine. 

 

As far as I can tell, there is no central website to find all the Elan-serviced cards.  Over time, I've noticed them anyway as I've browsed different lenders but they haven't really been noteworthy until now.  Most of the cards were common offerings available most anywhere, such as basic Visa cards or cards with lower rewards (1% to 1.5%.)    Until now. 

 

One of the more popular cards on My Fico is the US Bank Cash+.  It pays 5% in two selected categories up to $2K per quarter, 2% on another category uncapped, and then 1% on everything else.  It currently offers a $200 SUB for spending $500 in the first 90 days.  I've had my eye on it for awhile, but the conservative limits by US Bank on new accounts makes it card you have to plan and garden for.

 

As far as I can tell, Elan just recently started mass-releasing a version of the Cash+ to its' partner banks across the US.  For the ones that are offering it, it is labeled as the "Max Cash Preferred" card.  I've found it on more than 75 of Elan's partner banks.  The SUB is typically $150 instead of $200 like offered at US Bank, but the cash back workings on the cards appear identical.  And, if it's easier to be approved for this card through Elan, I thought many would be intrigued.  This could offer many a chance to have a Cash+ card without the gardening.  In my case, US Bank is not in my geographic area anyway and some of these Elan partner lenders are in my area, so applying with them might be more practical.   Moreover, I called one today and asked about getting a card if I wasn't in their geo-area.  I was told that since the cards are managed by Elan, anyone could apply.  So it appears that, depending on the lender, any of these cards could be attainable regardless of geofence.  But the listing I have included shows these cards are probably already available at a lender near you.  My list is not exhaustive, so feel free to add to it as you check with your local banks or credit unions.   As I said, I couldn't find a cental listing so I put this together over random web research.  I'm sure I missed quite a few more.

 

I'll include some screen shots of the ads and application pages and you can see how similar or identical they all are to one another.  The same card product with a different outer casing. 

 

As I like to say, options are good!  And I just wanted to throw this out there for the community.  Happy hunting and let us know what you find! Smiley Happy

 

Max_Cash_JohnsonFG.jpg

 

Max_Cash_LibertyBank.jpg

Max_Cash_NRL_FCU.jpg

 

Max_Cash_Intrust.jpg

 

 

Max_Cash_BankofOK.jpg

Max_Cash_CapitalCityBank.jpg

 

Max_Cash_EnvisionBank.jpg

Max_Cash_Greenbelt.jpg

 

Max_Cash_GuarantyBank.jpg

 

Max_Cash_Rockland.jpg

 

 ... list to follow >>>>


Business Cards


Length of Credit > 40 years; Total Credit Limits >$850K
Top Lender TCL - Chase 156.4 - BofA 99.7 - AMEX 95.0 - CITI 94.5 - NFCU 80.0
AoOA > 30 years (Jun 1993); AoYA (Aug 2023)
* Hover cursor over cards to see name & CL, or press & hold on mobile app.
925 REPLIES 925
Aim_High
Super Contributor

Re: Elan "Max Cash" -vs- US Bank Cash+

>>>> Some Elan Lenders that offer the Max Cash Preferred ...

 

Incredible Bank (Wisconsin)

www.incrediblebank.com

 

First Financial Northwest Bank (Washington)

www.ffnwb.com

 

Guaranty Bank and Trust (Texas)

www.gnty.com

 

Johnson Financial Group (Wisconsin)

www.johnsonfinancialgroup.com

 

Capital City Bank (Florida, Georgia, Alabama)

www.ccbg.com

 

Busey Bank (Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Florida)

www.busey.com

 

Banc of California (California)

www.bancofcal.com

 

Abby Bank (Wisconsin)

www.abbybank.com

 

Envision Bank (Massachusetts)

www.envisionbank.com

 

Fulton Bank (Virginia, Maryland, DC, Pennsylvania)

www.fultonbank.com

 

Highland Bank (Minnesota)

www.highland.bank

 

Chevron Federal Credit Union (United States)

www.chevronfcu.org

 

Banner Federal Credit Union (Arizona)

www.bannerfcu.org

 

MIT Federal Credit Union (Massachusetts)

www.mitfcu.org

 

NRL (Naval Research Lab) Federal Credit Union (DC, Virginia, Maryland)

www.nrlfcu.org

 

Intrust Bank (Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas)

www.intrustbank.com

 

People’s United Bank (Connecticut)

www.peoples.com

 

Astera Credit Union (Michigan)

www.asteracu.com

 

Cattle Bank and Trust (Nebraska)

www.cattlebank.com

 

Credit Union of Georgia (Georgia)

www.cuofga.org

 

Bank of Oklahoma (Oklahoma)

www.bankofoklahoma.com

 

Renasant Bank (Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida)

www.renasantbank.com

 

Liberty Bank (Connecticut)

www.liberty-bank.com

 

Rockland Trust (Massachusetts)

www.rocklandtrust.com

 

Bell Bank (Arizona, Minnesota, North Dakota)

www.bell.bank

 

Radius Bank (Massachusetts)

www.radiusbank.com

 

Alliance Credit Union (Missouri)

www.alliancecu.com

 

Green Belt Bank and Trust (Iowa)

www.greenbeltbank.com

 

Northside Community Bank (Illinois)

www.nscombank.com

 

Bremer Bank (Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin)

www.bremer.com

 

Bank Five Nine (Wisconsin)

www.bankfivenine.com

 

F&M Bank (Farmers and Merchants) (California)

www.fmbonline.com

 

Prevail Bank (Wisconsin)

www.prevail.bank

 

 


Business Cards


Length of Credit > 40 years; Total Credit Limits >$850K
Top Lender TCL - Chase 156.4 - BofA 99.7 - AMEX 95.0 - CITI 94.5 - NFCU 80.0
AoOA > 30 years (Jun 1993); AoYA (Aug 2023)
* Hover cursor over cards to see name & CL, or press & hold on mobile app.
Message 2 of 926
Aim_High
Super Contributor

Re: Elan "Max Cash" -vs- US Bank Cash+

And More Elan Lenders that offer the Max Cash Preferred .......

 

First National Bank Texas (Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona)

www.1stnb.com

 

Bank of Texas (Texas)

www.bankoftexas.com

 

Comerica Bank (California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Michigan)

www.comerica.com

 

Desert Financial Credit Union (Arizona)

www.desertfinancial.com

 

Flagstar Bank (California, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin)

www.flagstar.com

 

First State Bank of Florida Keys (Florida)

www.keysbank.com

 

Park National Bank (Ohio)

www.parknationalbank.com

 

CCF Bank (Wisconsin, Minnesota)

www.ccf.us

 

Copper State Credit Union (Arizona)

Also dba: Deer Valley Credit Union, Canyon State Credit Union

www.deervalleycu.org

 

Capital Credit Union (Wisconsin)

www.capitalcu.com

 

Beacon Credit Union (Indiana)

www.beaconcu.org

 

Mid Penn Bank (Pennsylvania)

www.midpennbank.com

 

All South Federal Credit Union (South Carolina)

www.allsouth.org

 

Centris Federal Credit Union (Nebraska, Iowa)

www.centrisfcu.org

 

Home Federal Bank (Tennessee)

www.homefederalbanktn.com

 

Bank of Albuquerque (New Mexico)

www.bankofalbuquerque.com

 

Valley National Bank (New Jersey, New York, Florida, Alabama)

www.valley.com

 

Atlantic Union Bank (Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina)

www.atlanticunionbank.com

 

Pawtucket Credit Union (Rhode Island)

www.pcu.org

 

Oklahoma Central Credit Union (Oklahoma)

www.oklahomacentral.creditunion

 

Greater Nevada Credit Union (Nevada)

www.gncu.org

 

Air Force Academy Federal Credit Union (Colorado, veterans)

www.aafcu.com

 

Merrimack Valley Credit Union (Massachusetts)

www.mvcu.com

 

Meriwest Credit Union (California)

www.meriwest.com

 

First Class Community Credit Union (Iowa)

www.gofirstclass.org

 

Wesbanco (West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio)

www.wesbanco.com

 

Amplify Credit Union (Texas)

www.goamplify.com

 

Cornerstone Bank (North Dakota, South Dakota)

www.cornerstonebanks.net

 

Centricity Credit Union (Minnesota)

www.centricity.org

 

Central Pacific Bank (Hawaii)

www.cpb.bank

 

Public Service Credit Union (Michigan)

www.pscunow.com

 

Allegiance Credit Union (Oklahoma)

www.allegiancecu.org

 

Bank of Clarke County (Virginia)

www.bankofclarke.bank

 

Nodaway Valley Bank (Missouri)

www.nvb.com

 

First National Bank of Waterloo (Illinois)

www.fnbwaterloo.bank

 

Twin River Bank (Idaho, Washington)

www.twinriver.bank

 

Premier Bank (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan)

www.yourpremierbank.com

 

Byrn Mawr Trust Company (Pennsylvania)

www.bmt.com

 

Buckeye State Bank (Ohio)

www.joinbsb.com

 

U.S. Employees Credit Union  (US government employee and retiree)

www.usemployees.org

 

Bank of Utah (Utah)

www.bankofutah.com

 

Bay Coast Bank (Massachusetts, Rhode Island)

www.baycoastbank.com

 

Pikes Peak Credit Union (Colorado)

www.pikespeakcu.com

 

Horizon Bank (Indiana, Michigan)

www.horizonbank.com


Business Cards


Length of Credit > 40 years; Total Credit Limits >$850K
Top Lender TCL - Chase 156.4 - BofA 99.7 - AMEX 95.0 - CITI 94.5 - NFCU 80.0
AoOA > 30 years (Jun 1993); AoYA (Aug 2023)
* Hover cursor over cards to see name & CL, or press & hold on mobile app.
Message 3 of 926
FinStar
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Elan "Max Cash" -vs- US Bank Cash+

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Message 4 of 926
Aim_High
Super Contributor

Re: Elan "Max Cash" -vs- US Bank Cash+

I'll also mention that the lender I called was Intrust Bank in Kansas.  They have quite a few affiliate cards including some Alumni cards and others that caught my eye.    This is the lender that said they could approve anyone out-of-geofence, in case any others do not.  Here is a screenshot of all the affiliate cards.

 

Intrust_Bank_Affiliate_Cards.jpg

 

 


Business Cards


Length of Credit > 40 years; Total Credit Limits >$850K
Top Lender TCL - Chase 156.4 - BofA 99.7 - AMEX 95.0 - CITI 94.5 - NFCU 80.0
AoOA > 30 years (Jun 1993); AoYA (Aug 2023)
* Hover cursor over cards to see name & CL, or press & hold on mobile app.
Message 5 of 926
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Elan "Max Cash" -vs- US Bank Cash+

Aim great post and very informative.  Thanks for taking the time to put that information together, so I'm sure it will be helpful to many.  These do seem like legit alternatives to US Bank Cash+. 

 

Do you reckon the terms (SL, APR, etc) would very and possibly quite a bit depending on the bank with which you apply?  I would imagine there is very little data on any of that and that it would take some guinea pigs from the forum to put together some numbers.

Message 6 of 926
Aim_High
Super Contributor

Re: Elan "Max Cash" -vs- US Bank Cash+


@Anonymous wrote:

Aim great post and very informative.  Thanks for taking the time to put that information together, so I'm sure it will be helpful to many.  These do seem like legit alternatives to US Bank Cash+. 

 

Do you reckon the terms (SL, APR, etc) would very and possibly quite a bit depending on the bank with which you apply?  I would imagine there is very little data on any of that and that it would take some guinea pigs from the forum to put together some numbers.


Thanks @Anonymous.  I was going to tag you but you saw it already.  We were just having this discussion after you posted about the Cash+ so you were one I had in mind (besides myself - lol) who could benefit.  But I've heard many others mention USB's strict underwriting. 

 

I'll still tag this in your Cash+ thread:

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/US-Bank-Cash-opinions-feedback/m-p/6196810#M1757187

 

I just found the Max Cash Preferred card and links in the past week and have been putting this together.  So I haven't had time to research it much.  At least one Elan-sponsored lender didn't have it yet but said "coming in December 2020" so it sounds like it's being phased in.  Maybe those who have worked with Elan on the Fidelity card can enlighten us on the customer service and web interface experience.  On the surface, the cards look almost identical to the Cash+.  One I saw had a slightly higher APR if that matters (+1%?), but we would have to dig into it on a card-by-card basis to be accurate.  I got the ball rolling and everyone can look at it and tell us all what they find.  I hope it's helpful to some people.  I think some tend to just think of the big banks and lenders like Chase, AMEX, Citi, Discover, Capital One etc and forget about the smaller lenders in their neighborhood.  A mix of both can be good but especially if they're offering cards comparable to what the big banks offer!


Business Cards


Length of Credit > 40 years; Total Credit Limits >$850K
Top Lender TCL - Chase 156.4 - BofA 99.7 - AMEX 95.0 - CITI 94.5 - NFCU 80.0
AoOA > 30 years (Jun 1993); AoYA (Aug 2023)
* Hover cursor over cards to see name & CL, or press & hold on mobile app.
Message 7 of 926
Slabenstein
Valued Contributor

Re: Elan "Max Cash" -vs- US Bank Cash+

Ones that I have found so far:

 

Sunrise Banks (Minnesota)

sunrisebanks.com

It's not on their website yet, but if you click through to their Elan portal it lists a card called "Flexible Cash Rewards" that has the Cash+ rewards structure w/ a $150 SUB.

 

Access Bank (Nebraska)

www.accessbank.com 

 

Northwest Bank (Nebraska and Iowa)

www.bank-northwest.com

 

Wakota FCU (Minnesota)
wakotafcu.org

This one has a lower APR range, at 11.99-17.99.  Dunno if that will be common w/ CUs.

 

Deerwood Bank (Minnesota)
deerwoodbank.com

 

Associated Bank (Minnesota and Wisconsin)
www.associatedbank.com

 

Alerus Financial (Arizona, Minnesota, and North Dakota)
alerus.com

 

Riverland Bank (Minnesota)
riverland.bank

 

I'll edit this post if I find anything else.


Message 8 of 926
Flfico
Regular Contributor

Re: Elan "Max Cash" -vs- US Bank Cash+

Thank you for this info! I just checked 2 small regional banks near me (Ameris and Centerstate Bank) and both are offering.

Message 9 of 926
JNA1
Valued Contributor

Re: Elan "Max Cash" -vs- US Bank Cash+

Holy Crapoli! My local bank that I've banked with for over 20 years offers this card! 

This is a game changer for me and DW if the underwriting standards are in fact lower that the Cash+. I couldn't care less what the front of the card says if it offers that sweet, sweet 5%😂

 

I'm assuming since it is a Signature VISA that the SL would be at least $5K also. Does anybody know what bureau Elan typically pulls? 

Great find @Aim_High

Our credit card journey started 3/2018

Hover over cards to see limits and usage. Total CL - $584,600. Cash Back and SUBs earned as of 9/1/22- $15292.65
CU Memberships

Goal Cards:

Message 10 of 926
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