What Revvi Is and Who It's Built For
Revvi is a secured credit card issued by Coastal Community Bank, designed primarily for people rebuilding credit after missed payments, collections, or a thin credit file. You put down a cash deposit—typically $200 to $2,500—and that deposit becomes your credit limit. The card reports to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments build your credit history.
Revvi is not a good fit if you already have fair or good credit. It's also not a good fit if you need a large credit limit immediately or if you can't afford to lock up a deposit for several months. It works best for someone who has time to rebuild, can make consistent on-time payments, and wants to move toward an unsecured card within 12 to 24 months.
Key Takeaways
- Revvi requires a cash deposit equal to your credit limit, so you need $200 to $2,500 available upfront that you won't need to spend.
- The annual fee is $39, charged in the first month and every 12 months after, which is higher than many competing secured cards.
- Interest rate (APR) is typically 19.99% to 24.99%, standard for secured cards but expensive if you carry a balance month to month.
- Revvi reports to all three bureaus and allows you to graduate to an unsecured card after 12 to 24 months of on-time payments, at which point your deposit is returned.
- You should only use Revvi if you plan to pay your full statement balance each month; carrying a balance will cost you significantly in interest.
Deposit, Credit Limit, and How Your Money Works
When you open a Revvi account, you choose a deposit amount between $200 and $2,500. That deposit is held in a savings account at Coastal Community Bank and becomes your credit limit dollar-for-dollar. If you deposit $500, your credit limit is $500.
Your deposit earns no interest. You cannot withdraw it while the account is open—it stays locked for the life of the secured card. Once you graduate to an unsecured card (usually after 12 to 24 months of on-time payments), Coastal returns the deposit to you, typically within 5 to 7 business days after the upgrade is processed.
The deposit is separate from your monthly payment. If you charge $300 on a $500 limit and make a $300 payment, your deposit remains $500 and your available credit returns to $500. The deposit is collateral, not a payment source.
Annual Fee, Interest Rate, and Other Costs
Revvi charges a $39 annual fee, assessed in your first month and every 12 months after. This is higher than some competitors—for example, Discover Secured and Capital One Secured charge $0 annual fees—so you're paying for the privilege of using this card.
The APR (annual percentage rate) is typically 19.99% to 24.99%, depending on your credit profile at the time you apply. This rate applies only to balances you carry from month to month. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest.
There are no foreign transaction fees, no late fees if you pay within 21 days of the due date, and no over-limit fees. Late fees do apply if you pay more than 21 days late, and the fee amount varies. Missing a payment also triggers a report to the credit bureaus, which damages your credit score.
How Revvi Reports to Credit Bureaus and Builds Your Score
Revvi reports your account status, payment history, and credit utilization to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion every month. This means on-time payments show up on your credit report and help rebuild your score over time. Missed or late payments also report and hurt your score.
Credit bureaus weight payment history at 35% of your score, so consistent on-time payments are the primary reason to use Revvi. Carrying a high balance relative to your limit (high utilization) also reports and can lower your score, so keeping your balance well below your limit—ideally under 30% of your limit—helps more than it hurts.
Most people see their score improve by 50 to 100 points within 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, though the exact improvement depends on your starting score and credit history. Revvi does not may provide any score improvement.
Graduation to an Unsecured Card and Getting Your Deposit Back
After 12 to 24 months of on-time payments, Coastal may offer to convert your Revvi account to an unsecured card. Conversion is not automatic—you must meet Coastal's internal criteria, which typically includes no late payments, consistent on-time history, and sometimes a minimum credit score threshold (often around 650 or higher, though Coastal does not publish exact criteria).
When you graduate, your deposit is released and returned to the bank account you specify, usually within 5 to 7 business days. Your credit limit on the new unsecured card may be higher than your original deposit, though Coastal does not may provide an increase. The $39 annual fee may or may not carry over to the unsecured card—check the terms of the new card when Coastal offers it.
If Coastal does not offer conversion after 24 months, you can request it yourself. Some cardholders have reported success requesting conversion after 18 months of perfect payment history, though Coastal reserves the right to decline.
Revvi Compared to Other Secured Cards
The main competitors to Revvi are Discover Secured, Capital One Secured, and U.S. Bank Secured. Here's how they differ on the features that matter most:
| Feature | Revvi | Discover Secured | Capital One Secured | U.S. Bank Secured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $39 | $0 | $0 | $29 |
| APR | 19.99%–24.99% | 18.99%–24.99% | 19.99%–26.99% | 18.99%–24.99% |
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $200 | $200 | $300 |
| Deposit Earns Interest | No | No | No | No |
| Reports to All Three Bureaus | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Typical Graduation Timeline | 12–24 months | 6–18 months | 6–18 months | 12–24 months |
Discover Secured and Capital One Secured both charge no annual fee, which saves you $39 per year compared to Revvi. Discover Secured also reports that some cardholders graduate within 6 months, faster than Revvi's typical 12 to 24 month window. If you have the choice between Revvi and Discover or Capital One, the zero-fee cards are usually the better deal.
Revvi may still make sense if you've been declined by other issuers or if you have a relationship with Coastal Community Bank already. Otherwise, start with Discover or Capital One.
When Revvi Is Worth Using
Revvi is worth using if all of the following are true: you have been declined for unsecured cards, you can afford to lock up $200 to $2,500 for 12 to 24 months, you can commit to paying your full balance every month, and you want to rebuild credit on a timeline measured in years, not months.
Revvi is not worth using if you need to carry a balance month to month—the 19.99% to 24.99% APR will cost you hundreds of dollars in interest over time. It's also not worth using if you have other secured card options available with lower annual fees or faster graduation timelines.
The core value of any secured card is the credit-building report to the bureaus, not the card itself. Revvi delivers that, but so do its competitors at a lower cost. Compare your options before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Revvi deposit as a payment if I can't pay my bill?
No. Your deposit is held separately and cannot be used to pay your monthly bill. You must pay from your bank account, paycheck, or other funds. If you cannot pay your bill, contact Coastal immediately to discuss options—missing a payment will report to the credit bureaus and damage your score.
What happens if I close my Revvi account before graduating?
If you close the account yourself, your deposit is returned, usually within 5 to 7 business days. However, closing the account stops the credit-building benefit—your payment history stops reporting, and your credit score may drop slightly because you've reduced your active credit mix. Only close the account if you no longer need it or if you've graduated to an unsecured card.
Does Revvi have a grace period for payments?
Revvi does not charge a late fee if you pay within 21 days of your due date, but a payment made after your due date may still report as late to the credit bureaus. To protect your credit score, pay by the due date shown on your statement, not 21 days later.
Can I increase my credit limit on Revvi without adding more money?
No. Your credit limit is always equal to your deposit. To increase your limit, you must add more money to your deposit account. Coastal may allow you to increase your deposit after 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, but you must request it and provide the additional funds.
How long does it take to see my credit score improve after opening Revvi?
Most people see movement within 30 to 60 days of the first on-time payment reporting, though the size of the improvement depends on your starting score and credit history. Significant improvement typically takes 6 to 12 months of consistent on-time payments. Check your score through a free service like Credit Karma or AnnualCreditReport.com to track progress.