rewrite this title What Is Cross River Bank, and Are Its Credit Cards Right for You? – NerdWallet

The various personal credit cards issued by Cross River Bank have little in common with each other, except that they all break the mold of traditional credit cards in key ways.

The bank’s portfolio includes a card without APRs or credit checks; a card that doesn’t require a Social Security number to apply; cards that can pull double-duty as personal loans; and even a card that lets you put up your car as collateral.

Cross River is itself a unique institution, too. The New Jersey-based company is both a bank and a financial technology company that helps build credit card programs.

Among the cards issued by Cross River Bank:

Here’s a closer look at some of those cards.

How it stands out: No credit check, no APR, no minimum security deposit.

Traditional secured cards usually require a $200-$300 deposit to open the account; the Current Build Card is the rare secured card without a set minimum. In theory, you could put down a small deposit — say, $20 — and use the Current Build Card to pay a monthly streaming subscription. As long as you pay the credit card balance on time, you can build your score as effectively as if you had put down a bigger security deposit.

The Current Build Card also earns rewards, doesn’t charge an APR and doesn’t perform a hard inquiry on your credit when you apply.

However, as of March 2025, the Current Build Card reports to only two credit bureaus (Equifax and TransUnion), which is a glaring weakness for a card meant to help people build their credit.

How it stands out: No Social Security number required.

Certain populations may find it difficult to qualify for a credit card as many major issuers require applicants to provide a Social Security number. Neu eliminates that barrier by accepting a valid Visa number and foreign passport instead. As such, the Neu card is one of a few viable options for immigrants or international students. It’s also a pretty solid card. The Neu card doesn’t charge an annual fee, late fees or interest, and it earns 1.25% back on all purchases. There’s a $4 or $7 monthly fee, though, depending on your credit limit.

How it stands out: A credit card/personal loan hybrid.

The Upgrade suite of cards, which includes the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®, boast key features of both credit cards and personal loans.

For instance, you can use the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® as you would a conventional card, making purchases with it and even earning bonus cash back in several categories.

Or, you can tap into the personal loan features of the card in one of two ways:

The versatility of the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® certainly has appeal, but it may not be the cheapest loan option. The ongoing APR is 14.99%-29.99%. A 0% APR credit card or a traditional personal loan with a lower APR could save you more money on interest.

How it stands out: Credit limit secured by your car.

In recent years, the credit cards market has seen a rise in asset-secured cards, but even among cards in that class, Yendo stands out. Instead of a cash deposit, the Yendo card is secured by the equity in your car. This arrangement could result in a higher credit limit compared to traditional secured cards — or, potentially, a severe consequence if you default on the Yendo card. Fail to pay off your balance, and Yendo could repossess your car.