
Varo Bank's credit card is a digital-first card that offers a range of benefits, including no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee.
The card has a variable APR, which is currently around 24.99%, although this may be subject to change.
Varo Bank's credit card also offers rewards on purchases made in certain categories, such as groceries and gas.
These rewards can be redeemed for cash back or other rewards, making it a great option for those who want to earn something back on their purchases.
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How Card Works
The Varo Believe Card is a secured credit card that's part of Varo's innovative credit-builder program.
To get started, you'll need to deposit a certain amount of money into a dedicated, locked Varo Savings Account, which will serve as the collateral for your card.
This deposit will become your credit limit on the Varo Believe Card. For example, if you deposit $200, your credit limit will be $200.
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You can use the Varo Believe Card for everyday purchases, online shopping, and more, just like any other credit card.
The key to building your credit is making payments on time, and Varo reports your payment history to all three major credit bureaus.
If you decide to close the account or graduate from the program, your deposit in the savings account, plus any earned interest, will be returned to you, assuming your card balance has been paid in full.
Here's a step-by-step overview of how the Varo Believe Card works:
- You deposit money into a dedicated Varo Savings Account.
- Your deposit becomes your credit limit on the Varo Believe Card.
- You use the Varo Believe Card for purchases.
- You repay your balance each month.
- Varo reports your payment history to the credit bureaus.
- Your deposit is returned to you when you close the account or graduate from the program.
Getting a Card
To get a Varo credit card, you need a Varo bank account, which is free to set up. This is the first step in the process.
You'll also need to receive direct deposits of at least $200 in the past 31 days to be eligible for the card. This can include deposits from your employer or the government, but not transfers from peer-to-peer apps like Venmo.

Once you've met the direct deposit requirement, you'll be invited to apply for the Varo Believe Secured Credit Card in the Varo Bank app. This card is the only credit card offered by Varo, and it's a secured product, meaning you'll need to make a security deposit to get approved.
Here's a step-by-step guide to getting the Varo credit card:
- Be a Varo Bank Account holder
- Set up direct deposits of at least $200 in the past 31 days
- Apply for the Varo Believe Program through the app
- Deposit a certain amount into a Varo Savings Account to set your card limit
Note that there's no minimum credit score required to get the Varo credit card, and no security deposit is required upfront. However, you'll need to be more conscientious about paying off your monthly statements if you upgrade from the secured card to a traditional card.
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Card Features
The Varo Bank Credit Card offers some amazing features that make it a great option for those looking to build credit.
You don't need a minimum credit score to get approved for the card. This makes it a great option for people who are new to credit or have a poor credit history.
The Varo Believe Program is a credit-builder program that involves using the Varo Believe Card, a type of secured credit card.
Here's how it works: you deposit a certain amount of money into a dedicated Varo Savings Account, which becomes your credit limit on the card. For example, if you deposit $200, your credit limit will be $200.
You can use the Varo Believe Card for everyday purchases, online shopping, and more. And the best part? You can repay your balance each month without worrying about interest charges.
The APR on the Varo Believe Secured Credit Card is 0%, which means you won't have to pay interest on your balance. This is a rare perk that can save you money in the long run.
Here are the key features of the Varo Bank Credit Card:
The Varo Believe Card is a great option for those who want to build credit without breaking the bank.
Development and Benefits
Varo Bank's credit card development prioritized customer needs, regulatory requirements, and capturing spend to create a compelling product that addresses customers' biggest pain points. The card is designed to be a complement to their existing Varo debit card, motivating customers to increase usage.
The Varo Believe Program is a unique credit building product that targets the 45 million Americans who are "credit invisible" or seeking to boost their credit score. The program includes a Visa credit card and credit monitoring, with no upfront security deposit, APR, application fees, monthly or annual fees, or foreign transaction fees.
Here are the benefits of the Varo Believe Program:
- No upfront security deposit
- No APR
- No application fees
- No monthly or annual fees
- No foreign transaction fees
The program reports payment history to the 3 major credit bureaus and allows customers to view and monitor their credit score directly in the Varo Bank app for free.
What Did You Prioritize When Developing the Card?
Developing the Believe Card required a delicate balance of several key factors. Customer needs were at the forefront of the development process.

To create a product that addresses customers' biggest pain points, the team considered what customers needed to accomplish. This involved understanding their financial goals and what they hoped to achieve with the Believe Card.
Regulatory requirements were also a top priority. The team worked to ensure that the card was developed in compliance with relevant guidelines, always keeping the best interest of customers in mind.
Capturing spend was another important consideration. The team aimed to motivate customers to use the Believe Card as a complement to their Varo debit card.
Here are the primary factors considered during development:
- Customer Needs: Addressing customers' biggest pain points
- Regulatory Requirements: Ensuring compliance with relevant guidelines
- Capturing Spend: Motivating customers to use the Believe Card
The team's focus on customer needs was unwavering. They kicked off meetings with questions like, "what are our customers aiming for when it comes to finances?" This helped them understand what mattered most to their customers and shape the Believe Card accordingly.
Unveils Believe Program
Varo has unveiled the Varo Believe Program, a credit building product designed for Americans who are "credit invisible" or seeking to boost their credit score.

This program aims to help the 45 million Americans who lack sufficient credit history to qualify for credit.
The Varo Believe Program includes a Visa credit card and credit monitoring, making it a unique offering in the market.
With no upfront security deposit, no APR, no application fees, no monthly or annual fees, and no foreign transaction fees, this program is designed to be accessible and affordable.
Varo reports the user's payment history to the 3 major credit bureaus, allowing customers to build a strong credit profile.
Customers can view and monitor their credit score directly in the Varo Bank app for free, providing them with valuable insights into their financial health.
The program is linked to a Varo bank account, which ensures that users spend responsibly and pay their credit card balance on time and in full every month.
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Card Details
The Varo Credit Card is issued by Varo Bank, which is already a great start.
Varo Bank requires no minimum credit score for approval, making it more accessible to a wider range of people.
You won't need to make a security deposit to get the card.
Varo Credit Card holders can expect to receive the card, but there are some things to check off before getting it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Varo Believe a secured credit card?
Yes, Varo Believe is a secured credit card with no annual fee and no credit check. It requires a security deposit, but offers no interest and no minimum deposit requirement.
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