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Deposit-Backed Credit Cards: How Secured Cards Work in India

9 September 20251 min read
BANKING & FINANCEDeposit-BackedCredit Cards: HowSecured CardsWork in India9 September 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

Banks and fintechs began offering deposit-backed cards for first-time borrowers and underserved groups.

Key facts

  • Collateral: a fixed deposit (FD); users are mainly those new to credit or with low scores.
  • RBI view: classed as secured credit cards.
  • On default, banks adjust dues from the FD.
ExampleDetail
FD₹50,000 at 6%
Card limit₹50,000
OutcomeFD keeps earning, credit score builds, upgrade to unsecured possible after 12 months

Exam angle

  • Collateral: FD; reporting duty: credit bureaus.

Test yourself

1. A deposit-backed (secured) credit card is issued against which type of collateral?

The cardholder provides an FD as collateral to the issuing bank.

2. The credit limit of a deposit-backed credit card is usually how much relative to the FD amount?

The limit is usually equal to or slightly below the deposit.

3. For deposit-backed credit cards, banks must report usage and repayment activity to whom?

Banks must report to credit bureaus.