Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Current Build Card Review: Who Actually Benefits in 2025?
July 1, 2025
.webp)
The Current Build Visa® Credit Card promises credit building without the traditional barriers—no credit check, no minimum deposit, no APR. But with 4.5 stars on Trustpilot and a growing list of fees, is it the right choice for building credit in 2025?
If you're starting your credit journey or recovering from past mistakes, you're likely choosing between multiple credit-building options. This review cuts through the marketing to show you exactly who benefits from the Current Build Card—and who would do better elsewhere.
What Is the Current Build Card?
Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Current Build Card is a secured alternative credit card issued by Cross River Bank that reports to all three major credit bureaus.
Unlike traditional secured cards, the Current Build Card works differently:
- Your Current account balance becomes your security deposit and credit limit
- Purchases are automatically held, preventing you from carrying a balance
- There's no APR because you can't spend beyond what you have
- You must open a Current account before applying
Key Stats:
- Annual fee: $0
- Credit check: None required
- Minimum deposit: None
- Rewards: 1 point per dollar on eligible dining and grocery purchases (with qualifying payroll deposits)
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%
Who Should Apply for Current Build Card?
Target Persona: Entry-Level Credit Builders
The Current Build Card works best for:
- Young adults (18-25) with no credit history who receive regular paychecks of $200+
- Recent immigrants starting their U.S. credit journey with steady income
- Post-bankruptcy consumers (2-3 years out) rebuilding with guaranteed approval
You're a good fit if:
- You receive direct deposits of $200+ at least twice monthly
- You spend $300-500/month on dining and groceries
- You want automatic payments to prevent missed due dates
- You're comfortable with mobile-only banking
Break-Even Math: Is It Worth It?
Let's calculate the real value proposition for a typical user:
Monthly Scenario:
- Qualifying payroll deposits: $500/month
- Dining and grocery spending: $400/month
- Points earned: 400 points = $4 cash back
- Annual rewards: $48
Hidden Costs to Consider:
- Out-of-network ATM fees: $2.50 per transaction (6 transactions/year = $15)
- Cash deposit fees: $3.50 per deposit (4 deposits/year = $14)
- Card replacement: $5 (assume once in 2 years = $2.50/year)
- Foreign transaction fees: 3% (one $200 purchase = $6)
- Total annual fees: $37.50
Net annual value: $48 - $37.50 = $10.50
This breaks even only if you exclusively use in-network ATMs and avoid cash deposits. For comparison, the average Kudos user forgets to redeem $624 in card benefits annually—highlighting the importance of choosing cards that align with your actual spending patterns.
Current Build Card vs. Traditional Credit-Building Alternatives
Here's how Current Build stacks up against proven credit-building cards:
1. Discover it® Secured Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "827", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Credit Builders", "headerHint": "No Annual Fee Card"} ]]
Who wins: Discover wins for credit builders with $200 upfront who can maximize quarterly categories. First-year value: $200+ (vs. Current's $48).
2. Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "431", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "No Fee Seekers", "headerHint": "No Fee Card"} ]]
Who wins: Capital One wins for those wanting the lowest entry barrier ($49) with proven upgrade paths.
3. Chime Card™
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3069", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Credit Builders", "headerHint" : "No Annual Fees" } ]]
Who wins: Chime wins for users who want automatic payments without rewards focus. Credit score improvement study showed average 30-point increase after 8 months.
4. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "428", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Cash Back Seekers", "headerHint": "Straightforward Rewards"} ]]
Who wins: QuicksilverOne wins for those with fair credit (FICO 580-669) who can handle responsible unsecured credit card use. Annual value exceeds Current by $140+.
5. Petal 2 Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2905", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "No Fee Seekers", "headerHint": "No Fees"} ]]
Who wins: Petal wins for those with income verification but limited credit history who want higher limits without deposits.
Decision Framework: Should You Apply?
Apply for Current Build if:
- You have zero credit history and need guaranteed approval
- You receive regular direct deposits of $200+
- You spend primarily on dining and groceries
- You're comfortable with no upgrade path
Skip Current Build if:
- You have $200 for a traditional secured card (Discover offers superior rewards)
- You need physical branch access
- You want to graduate to unsecured cards with the same issuer
- You frequently use out-of-network ATMs
Consider alternatives if:
- You have fair credit (FICO 580+): Apply for Capital One QuicksilverOne
- You want automatic credit building: Try Chime Card
- You maximize category spending: Choose Discover it® Secured
How to Maximize Current Build Card Value
If you decide Current Build is right for you:
- Set up qualifying direct deposits: Ensure at least $500/month in eligible payroll deposits over 35-day rolling periods to earn rewards
- Use Kudos Insights: Track which purchases earn points vs. which should go on other cards in your wallet
- Avoid hidden fees: Use only in-network ATMs (MoneyPass, Allpoint) and skip cash deposits
- Enable AutoPay: Prevent 3% late payment fees on outstanding balances
- Track credit progress: Check your free VantageScore 4.0 after 60 days to monitor improvements
Common Objections Answered
"Isn't no credit check a red flag?"
Not necessarily. Current Build's model works because it's a secured card—you can only spend money you already have. The lack of credit check removes a barrier for credit newbies without adding risk.
"Why does a 'credit-building' card have so many fees?"
Current operates as a fintech with lower overhead than traditional banks, but ATM network fees and processing costs get passed to users. Compare total costs against your actual usage patterns.
"Can I really build credit with this card?"
Yes. Current Build reports to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax). However, similar cards like Chime Credit Builder showed an average 30-point FICO Score 8 increase after 8 months. Results vary based on overall credit profile.
Application Path: What to Expect
- Open Current account (required first step)
- Set up direct deposit to fund your security deposit/credit limit
- Apply for Current Build Card (no credit check)
- Wait for card arrival (5-7 business days)
- Enable AutoPay to avoid missed payments
- Monitor credit score after 60 days via Current app
The Verdict: Problem-Solution Bridge
The Problem: Traditional credit cards require good credit scores (670+), making it nearly impossible for credit newbies or those recovering from financial setbacks to access credit-building tools. Secured cards demand $200-300 upfront deposits many can't afford.
Current's Solution: Zero-barrier entry with no credit check, no minimum deposit, and guaranteed approval for anyone who can open a Current account. Automatic payment holds prevent debt accumulation.
The Catch: Limited rewards (1 point per dollar only on dining/groceries), no upgrade path, hidden fees that erode value, and mobile-only access. For users with even $200 available, traditional secured cards like Discover it® Secured offer 2-4x better rewards in year one.
Who This Actually Serves: Entry-level workers with steady paychecks who need immediate credit building and can't access traditional secured cards. If you fall outside this narrow profile, explore alternatives that align better with your financial situation.
Bottom Line
The Current Build Card delivers on its promise: accessible credit building with no traditional barriers. But "accessible" doesn't always mean "optimal."
For the 18-25-year-old receiving their first regular paychecks, Current Build offers a safe entry point to credit building. For everyone else, cards with upgrade paths, better rewards, and lower total costs provide superior long-term value.
The smartest credit-building strategy? Use Kudos to compare your options based on your actual spending patterns—not marketing claims. With over 3,000 credit cards in our database, we'll show you which card maximizes your rewards while building your credit score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Current Build Card worth it?
Current Build is worth it for credit newbies with no upfront cash and steady paychecks of $200+. However, if you can afford a $200 deposit, the Discover it® Secured offers superior rewards (2x cash back in rotating categories) and first-year Cashback Match that doubles all earnings.
Does Current Build Card really build credit?
Yes, Current Build reports to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax). However, credit improvement depends on consistent on-time payments and maintaining low credit utilization. Similar secured cards have shown average credit score increases of 30 points after 8 months of responsible use.
What's the catch with no credit check?
There's no catch—Current Build uses a secured card model where your own money serves as collateral. You can't spend beyond your Current account balance, eliminating default risk. The tradeoff is you need to open and maintain a Current account before applying.
Can you upgrade Current Build to an unsecured card?
No, Current doesn't offer an upgrade path. Once you've built sufficient credit history (typically 6-12 months), you'll need to apply for an unsecured card from another issuer. This differs from Capital One Platinum Secured, which automatically considers you for credit increases after 6 months.
How do Current Build Card fees compare to other secured cards?
Current Build has a $0 annual fee, matching most secured cards. However, out-of-network ATM fees ($2.50), cash deposit fees ($3.50), and 3% foreign transaction fees can add $30-50 annually depending on usage. Traditional secured cards from major banks often waive ATM fees or provide reimbursements.
What credit score do you need for Current Build Card?
Current Build requires no minimum credit score and doesn't perform a credit check. This makes it accessible to those with no credit history, very poor credit (FICO below 580), or recent bankruptcies. The only requirement is opening a Current account.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
.webp)
.webp)