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You can apply for a credit card issued by a major bank and not by a credit union. Banks usually report credit card activity every month to all three major credit bureaus, so you will be able to see credit score changes as fast as in three months. When you are improving your credit, it is important to make monthly payments on time with all your creditors. Try not to miss or skip monthly payments. Also, keeping balances low is good for your credit. You can use up to 30% of your available credit or pay your balances off each month.
A secured card may also be a great option though for getting a credit card and rebuilding your credit as secured cards are usually reported to the credit bureaus - Experian, TransUnion or Equifax. The credit limit on a secured credit card is established by the security deposit an applicant pays. Your initial deposit is usually refundable, and there are secured cards with fair fee schedules and good customer service. It means that secured credit cards work like unsecured credit cards: a cardholder will receive statements every month and will be required to make card payments monthly. The security deposit will stay intact while a cardholder makes all due payments on time and the deposit will be refunded once the card is paid off and closed. Just make sure you do your research to find the one that is right for you. For example, you may like the Discover it® Secured Credit Card - it earns cash back on all purchases and has no annual fee.