Although all secured cards require a cash deposit, not many (or any that I've reviewed) allow you to put down a deposit
smaller than the credit limit they provide.
This amount typically varies between $ 49 and $ 3,000, and is oftentimes equal to the amount of credit issued (credit cards that require a lesser deposit
than the credit limit given are known as partially secured cards).
But if you credit is not extremely bad, you can get a secured credit card with a deposit that is
lower than the credit limit you will be granted.
However, if the balance you need to transfer is
higher than the credit limit on the new card, you can talk to the new card issuer and possibly ask for a raise in that limit.
If you should happen to try to spend
more than your credit limit, you could face a denial at the register or incur a fee called an «over-the-limit fee.»
Issuers won't let you transfer a balance above your credit limit on the card, and some may have a ceiling on how much you can transfer, which could be lower
than your credit limit.
Also, the amount you transfer, including interest and fees, can not be more
than your credit limit or $ 15,000, whichever is lower.
The Capital One Secured MasterCard is one of the only secured cards that allows you to make a security deposit that's lower
than your credit limit.
If you need to borrow an amount that is higher
than your credit limit and that you know you will need more than 15 months to pay off, a personal loan is a better option.
A HELOC differs from a conventional home equity loan in that the borrower is not advanced the entire sum up front, but uses a line of credit to borrow sums that total no more
than the credit limit, similar to a credit card.
Where most secured cards require a security deposit equal to the credit limit, the Capital One ®'s security deposit will be less
than the credit limit.
Replacing the credit limit with the high amount can be problematic for your score when the high balance or high credit is lower
than the credit limit, which is typically the case with a responsibly managed card account.
A home - equity line of credit (HELOC) allows you to borrow sums at any time you need, totalling no more
than the credit limit that you pay back like a credit card, with a minimum down payment.
Also, the amount you transfer, including interest and fees, can not be more
than your credit limit or $ 15,000, whichever is lower.
Considering that you can't transfer more
than your credit limit can handle (in fact, most issuers, including Chase, tend to limit you to 90 % your credit limit) the initial limit you're given can make or break your balance transfer.
Your instant credit limit may be lower
than your credit limit.