Atlas is a credit card designed for people rebuilding credit from a low starting point

Atlas is a secured credit card issued by Fortiva Bank. You put down a cash deposit, and that deposit becomes your credit limit. The card reports to all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — so your payment history builds a credit record. There is no annual fee, which is unusual for secured cards.

The card is marketed toward people with no credit history, poor credit, or a long gap since their last account. It is not a prepaid card; it is a real credit card that you borrow against, and you receive a monthly bill that you must pay.

Key Takeaways

  • Atlas requires a cash deposit between $300 and $2,500 that becomes your credit limit, and you cannot spend that deposit — it stays in a reserve account.
  • The card has no annual fee, but you pay interest on any balance you carry, and late payments damage your credit score.
  • Payments are reported to all three credit bureaus each month, so on-time payment history builds your credit record.
  • After a period of responsible use — typically 7 to 12 months — you may be able to convert the card to an unsecured card and recover your deposit.

How the deposit and credit limit work

When you open an Atlas account, you choose a deposit amount between $300 and $2,500. That deposit is held in a reserve account at the bank and does not earn interest. Your credit limit equals your deposit amount. If you deposit $500, your limit is $500.

The deposit is not a fee. It is your own money, held by the bank as collateral. You cannot spend it or withdraw it while the account is open. If you close the account or convert it to an unsecured card, you get the deposit back.

Interest accrues on any balance you carry month to month. The interest rate varies by applicant and is disclosed before you open the account. You pay interest only on the amount you owe, not on the deposit.

Interest, fees, and what you owe each month

Atlas charges interest on balances you do not pay in full. The annual percentage rate (APR) is not fixed and depends on your creditworthiness at the time you apply. You will see the exact rate in your offer before you accept it.

There is no annual fee. There is no foreign transaction fee. Late fees apply if you miss a payment: typically $25 for the first late payment and $35 for subsequent ones within a six-month period. A payment is considered late if it arrives after the due date shown on your statement.

Each month you receive a bill showing your balance, the minimum payment due, and the due date. You can pay the full balance, the minimum, or any amount in between. Paying the full balance by the due date means you owe no interest that month. Paying less than the full balance means interest accrues on the remaining amount.

How payment history affects your credit score

Atlas reports your account activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion every month. The information reported includes whether you paid on time, how much of your limit you used, and your total balance.

On-time payments build your credit history and improve your score over time. A single late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and damages your score immediately. Maxing out your card or using more than 30% of your limit also hurts your score, even if you pay on time, because it signals higher risk to lenders.

The longer your account stays open with on-time payments, the more your score typically improves. Most people see meaningful improvement within 6 to 12 months of consistent, on-time payment.

Converting to an unsecured card and getting your deposit back

After you demonstrate responsible use — usually 7 to 12 months of on-time payments — Fortiva may offer to convert your Atlas card to an unsecured card. When this happens, your deposit is returned to you, and your credit limit may increase or stay the same depending on your payment history and credit score at that time.

Conversion is not automatic. Fortiva reviews your account and decides whether to offer it. You cannot request conversion; the bank initiates the offer. If you have made all payments on time and kept your balance low, conversion is more likely.

If your account is converted, the card itself continues to report to the credit bureaus, and your credit history with that account remains intact. You simply no longer have money tied up as collateral.

Closing the account and what happens to your deposit

If you close the Atlas account, your deposit is returned to you, usually within 5 to 7 business days. The account closure is reported to the credit bureaus and may affect your credit score in two ways: your average account age may drop if Atlas was one of your older accounts, and your available credit decreases.

Closing a card you have used responsibly can hurt your score more than keeping it open, even if you do not use it. If your goal is to build credit, keeping the account open after you have paid off the balance is usually better than closing it.

If you have an outstanding balance when you close the account, you must still pay it. The deposit is returned only after the balance is zero.

Who Atlas is and is not right for

Atlas works well if you have no credit history, a low credit score, or a long gap since your last account and you want to build a credit record without an annual fee. The lack of an annual fee makes it cheaper than many other secured cards.

Atlas is not right if you cannot afford to tie up $300 to $2,500 as a deposit, if you know you will carry a balance and pay interest, or if you need a card with rewards or cash back. Secured cards do not offer rewards because the bank is taking on less risk than it would with an unsecured card.

If you already have a fair or good credit score, you may may have access to for an unsecured card without a deposit, which would be a better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my deposit as a payment?

No. Your deposit is held in a separate reserve account and cannot be spent or used to pay your bill. You must make payments from your bank account or another source. The deposit stays locked until you close the account or convert to an unsecured card.

What happens if I miss a payment?

A late fee of $25 applies to the first late payment, and $35 to subsequent late payments within six months. The late payment is reported to the credit bureaus and damages your credit score. If you are more than 60 days late, the bank may close your account and report it as delinquent.

Can I increase my credit limit without adding more money?

Not on a secured card. Your limit is tied to your deposit. If you want a higher limit, you must deposit more money. After conversion to an unsecured card, Fortiva may increase your limit based on your payment history and credit score.

How long does it take to build credit with Atlas?

Most people see meaningful improvement in their credit score within 6 to 12 months of on-time payments. The exact timeline depends on your starting score, how much of your limit you use, and whether you have other accounts reporting to the bureaus.

What if I cannot afford the deposit right now?

You cannot open an Atlas account without the deposit. If $300 is too much, look for a secured card with a lower minimum deposit, or explore whether you may have access to for an unsecured card with your current credit profile.