What is the average credit score needed to get approved for Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card?

The Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card does not have a minimum credit score required for approval.

Does Merrick Bank report to all three credit bureaus?

Account activity, including payment history, is reported to the three main credit bureaus.

Is the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card application process lengthy? Can you prequalify?

As soon as they get your security deposit, they'll look over your application and let you know if you qualify. When you're approved, it could take up to two weeks for you to get your card in the mail. Applicants may check their prequalification online without hurting their credit score.

What information is needed to apply for the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card?

You need to be at least 18 years old and possess a Social Security number, an ITIN or a passport. Merrick Bank will also require your physical home address in the U.S. In addition, the bank will ask if you have a pending bankruptcy or any outstanding tax obligations and it will verify your income and debts.

What is the minimum security deposit?

All Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card customers have a $200 security deposit.

Does Merrick Bank offer upgrades to an unsecured credit card?

You may switch from a secured to an unsecured card once you’ve built up your credit enough to qualify.

Does Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card raise credit limits automatically or charge for limit increases?

It will automatically double your credit line when you make on-time payments for your first seven months.

Does Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card have good customer service or satisfaction?

Merrick Bank provides superior customer service. We are not aware of any widespread complaints about this card issuer.

Does Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card have a mobile app or the option to pay or manage your account online?

Merrick Bank's mobile app is available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. You can pay your account online and manage your card using the app.

Does the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card offer the option to freeze your credit/account or have other security features?

This card has a $0 fraud liability security feature, meaning you won’t be held responsible for any unauthorized or fraudulent charges.

Does Merrick Bank offer other credit cards besides the Double Your Line Secured Visa?

Merrick Bank also offers the Platinum Visa Credit Card and the Secured Visa Credit Card, in addition to the Double Your Line Secured Visa.

MoneyGeek's Take

Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card Review

Q: In what states is the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card available?

The Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card is available in all 50 states.

When you have bad credit, start with a secured credit card. Secured cards are credit cards that require a deposit, and they are the best credit cards for developing good financial habits and increasing your credit scores. The Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card requires a $200 deposit, which is your credit line until the bank doubles your credit line to $400 if you make at least your minimum payment for the first seven months.

Advertising & Editorial DisclosureLast Updated: 1/20/2023

Reviewed By

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

The Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card may appeal to customers who want to improve their credit history while increasing credit limits for good consumer behavior. Every month, cardholders receive free access to their FICO credit scores so they can track their credit progress. Lenders use FICO scores and other credit report information to analyze risk and decide whether to offer loans and credit cards.

Card Details to Know Up Front

Bonus, Fee or Feature
Has or Not
Has Annual Fee
Security Deposit Required
Has Rewarding Welcome Offer
Has APR Offer
Has Balance Transfer Fee
Has Cash Advance Fee

Click to see this card’s rates, fees and how they compare to other cards in our dataset.

OUR REVIEW AT A GLANCE

Credit Card Details at a Glance
Pros & Cons Explained
Bonuses & Rewards Explained
Our Verdict: Is This Card for You?

Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card at a Glance

Individuals with various credit histories may apply for secured cards to help them establish or restore their credit. In contrast to a debit or pre-paid card, it helps develop positive credit history. When comparing deals, keep in mind the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card benefits and how they stack up to other similar cards.

Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card
Best credit card for training good financial habits
- PoorRecommended Credit
- $36*Annual Fee
- $200Min. Security Deposit
- 3# of Reporting Bureaus
- 21.70% VariableAPR
Pros
Reports to all three credit bureaus each month
Free FICO score access
$0 fraud liability protection
Lets you quickly double your credit limit

Cons
APR can be high
Foreign transaction fees
Deposit $200 initially. Following on-time payments for 7 months, credit line is doubled to $400 w/o requiring another deposit
$36 annual fee for the first year., billed at $3 dollars per month thereafter.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other secured credit cards from our partners.

Pros & Cons Explained

While the many advantages of the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card are worth noting, it is also necessary to consider the card's limitations.

Pros

Benefits
Description
Credit line doubled after seven months
Make a $200 deposit, which serves as your initial credit line for the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card. Then, if you make at least your minimum payment for seven months, your credit line will be doubled to $400 without requiring another deposit.
Access your FICO score for free
While free credit scores have become a standard advantage on mainstream credit cards, they are not always available for individuals with poor credit. The FICO score is the most popular credit score with lenders and is especially useful for monitoring while you restore your credit.
Coverage against fraud if your card is lost or stolen
With the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card, you’ll never have to worry about being held liable for fraudulent activity on your card. Account alerts can also help you monitor your card.

Cons

Drawbacks
Description
Charges an annual fee of $36
There are secured credit cards that don't charge a yearly fee. The Double Your Line card, which costs $36 for the first year and $3 per month after that, may seem expensive, especially because it doesn't have any significant rewards.
You can't raise your credit line with a bigger deposit
Many secured credit cards have a credit limit equal to the amount you put down as a deposit, so your credit limit will start at that amount. Some companies even let you add money after making your first deposit to raise your credit limit. The Double Your Line card has a set $200 initial credit line and Merrick Bank will only double that original amount.

INTERESTED IN COMPARING THE BEST CREDIT CARDS OF 2022?

When the MoneyGeek team looks at the data for each card in our database each month, we review the best options for the most popular card types. Check out our top picks for the best secured credit cards of 2022.

Bonuses & Rewards Explained

If you're interested in this card, there’s a good chance you either have no credit or poor credit. Submit your payments on time every month to build a positive credit history that could enable you to get an unsecured credit card down the road.

Is Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card a good card? With this card, keep the following features in mind:

Refundable security deposit

If you can only get an unsecured card with high fees, a secured credit card is usually a better option for you. A security deposit is required up front, but it is refundable.

Reliable customer service

You can use the Merrick Bank mobile app to check your balance, pay bills and get a free credit score. You can also call Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card for customer service.

Great security features

It has the same security features as a regular card. You won't have to pay for any fraudulent charges. You can also set up account alerts through the mobile app to be notified when your account changes.

Other fees

It costs $36 for the first year and $3 a month after that. The card also charges roughly 2% for transactions made outside of the United States and up to $40 for late fees.

Other Features Explained

According to J.D. Power, the combination of increased financial stress, weak customer service and misaligned rewards has led to a decline in credit card customer satisfaction. This means it’s even more important than ever to find the right card for your needs.

You can also check out our glossary page to better understand some of the general terms about credit cards.

Card Feature
Description
Build credit through reporting payment history
Account activity, including payment history, is reported to the three leading credit agencies by Merrick Bank, namely Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Free monthly FICO score
Get access to your FICO score for free. Payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO credit score, making it the most critical factor to determining this important score.
Refundable security deposit
Merrick Bank will refund any leftover security deposit funds when your Double Your Line Secured Visa account is canceled and all outstanding amounts are paid in full.

MONEYGEEK QUICK TIP

The Double Your Line Secured Visa Credit Card's $200 credit line automatically doubles to $400 if you make at least your minimum payment each month for the first seven months as a cardholder. This credit line increase will not require any further deposits on your part.

Understanding the Fine Print

It’s important to fully understand every aspect of the card you’re applying for. In the following table, you’ll find more details about the fees, reward rates and other things you should know about the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card.

Card Feature
Amount or Rate
APR
21.70% Variable
Annual Fee
$36*
Min. Security Deposit
$200
Balance Transfer Fee
Unspecified
Balance Transfer APR
Unspecified
Late Fees
up to $40
Cash Advance Fee
$10 or 4%, whichever is greater
Cash Advance APR
26.70%
Foreign Transaction Fee
2%

Regular APR
The Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card offers a variable annual percentage rate (APR) of 21.70% on purchases and a 26.7% APR for cash advances. Additionally, interest is accrued on balance transfers and cash advances from the date of the transaction. This APR is subject to change quarterly based on the current prime rate.
Annual Fee
The Double Your Line Secured Visa has an annual fee of $36 for the first year, followed by a monthly fee of $3.
Foreign Transaction Fee
This card charges 2% in foreign transaction fees, so it might not be a great option for those of you who frequently travel overseas.

HOW TO FIND THIS INFORMATION ON YOUR OWN?

When comparing this card to other secured credit cards, pay particular attention to the annual percentage rate (APR) and any related costs. If you're comparing it to a card you already have, review your most recent billing statement or visit your card provider's website or mobile app for more info. Alternatively, you may get information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's credit card agreement database.

Who Should & Shouldn’t Consider Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card?

Other Considerations for Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card

Consider how you intend to use the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card before deciding on whether or not to apply for it. It has a low credit line and won’t provide any rewards regardless of how much you utilize the card.

Things to Consider if This Will Be Your First or Only Credit Card

If you don’t have any other credit cards, you should note the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card’s relatively low credit limit. In addition, frequent travelers should be aware of the card’s 2% foreign transaction fees. That said, if all you need is a secured credit card to help you build a positive credit history, this card could be a good fit.

Things to Consider if This Will Be an Additional Card in Your Wallet

We only recommend adding the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card if you don’t have other cards to help you rebuild credit. This card can make it easier for you to keep a low credit usage ratio since the amount of your security deposit determines your credit limit. However, the card’s annual fee, high APR and lack of rewards make it a questionable choice for adding to existing cards you may have.

WHY TRUST OUR REVIEWS

We adhere to a straightforward and well-defined methodology and review process when we do credit card reviews. The technique entails extracting data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's database, standardizing data points for simple comparison, predicting average expenditure profiles, calculating long-term value and performing periodic re-ranking of all cards.

How Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card Compares to Other Cards

While the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card is a solid option for secured credit cards, there may be better choices. Specifically, we wish to examine secured credit cards that provide comparable features without annual fees. Let’s take a look at how this card compares to the Capital One Secured Mastercard.

Quick Comparison of Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card

Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card

Annual Fee: $36
Foreign Transaction Fee: 2%
Purchase APR: 21.70%
Rewards: None
Best For: Those looking to build their credit history with a reasonable APR

Capital One Secured Mastercard

Annual Fee: $0
Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
Purchase APR: 29.74% variable
Rewards: None
Best For: Those trying to build credit with no annual fee

Other Helpful Decision-Making Q&As

The following are the answers to some commonly asked questions about the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card that may assist you in making a choice.

Still not sure about this card? Consider these options.

For those who aren't sure whether this card is right for them, take a look at some of the most popular secured cards on the market. A rewards or debt transfer card may be a better option for those who aren't specifically searching for a secured card.

View All Credit Cards

Learn more about credit cards in general

sources

Capital One. "Platinum Secured from Capital One." Accessed March 17, 2022.
Experian. "Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card." Accessed December 14, 2021.
Merrick Bank. "Merrick Bank Secured Cards." Accessed December 14, 2021.

*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.