Updated: November 5, 2024
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Celtic Bank is a new entrant in the credit card market. It currently offers cards serviced by other companies, most of which are Deserve. Their cards are diverse and include various student credit cards, such as the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students that is designed for university students. They also offer the popular Indigo® Platinum Mastercard® designed for those with little or no credit. The company even offers co-branded cards like the Deserve Grand Reserve.
Regardless of an applicant's credit score, Celtic Bank offers 18 credit cards for personal and business use. They also have several student cards.
| Credit Card | About | Annual Fee | APR | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best student cash back card for limited credit history | $0 | 22.99% Variable | (No Credit History) On Issuer's Site | |
| A great card with global access to rebuild your credit | $75 the first year; $99 thereafter | 24.9% Variable | N/A On Issuer's Site | |
| Credit building card | See Terms | 35.90% Fixed | Poor–Good On Issuer's Site | |
| A good card for credit building | See website | 35.90% Fixed | Poor–Good On Issuer's Site |
Beyond the featured cards listed above, Celtic Bank also offers other credit cards. Many of these are designed for college students:
Below is MoneyGeek’s latest list of best Celtic Bank credit cards ranked based on rewards and other features. This can help you find the card that's right for you.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Understanding the application process and rules is critical to getting a Celtic Bank credit card. MoneyGeek answers some frequently asked questions that arise while applying for Celtic Bank credit cards.
Celtic Bank cards are available for people with bad to excellent credit. You can select from a variety of their cards that are serviced by different card issuers.
Celtic Bank has not defined how many cards a customer can have at the same time. However, all their credit cards are serviced by other issuers, so the number of cards you can own will depend on the other credit card companies.
Since most Celtic Bank credit cards are designed to help you improve your credit score, it's better if you apply for one at a time to avoid further damage to your credit score. Keep in mind that if you have many applications open at the same moment, your credit score will suffer even more.
At Celtic Bank, there is no limit to how many approvals you may receive. If you've been rejected from receiving a credit card, it is best to wait three to six months before applying for another. When credit card companies run a comprehensive credit check on you, it impacts your score briefly. Waiting a while reduces the impact and gives it more time to recover.
Every credit card that offers a sign-up bonus will only do so once. Celtic Bank, on the other hand, does not provide cards with a welcome bonus. They do provide cards that waive the annual fee or foreign transaction fee for the first year.
When comparing Celtic Bank cards, don’t forget to consider factors like customer service, security and additional perks.
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Customer Service & Satisfaction | During normal business hours Monday through Saturday, customers can contact Celtic Bank's customer care department via phone. The bank offers several different assistance lines for different purposes. J.D. Power did not rate this company in its customer satisfaction in its J.D. Power 2021 U.S Credit Card Satisfaction Survey. |
Mobile Apps & Online Services | Although Celtic Bank has a mobile app for managing loan accounts and other services, you cannot use it to handle credit cards issued by them. |
Security & Credit Monitoring Services | The bank reports to all the three major credit bureaus. Since Celtic Bank cards belong to the Mastercard network, your card will have the security features associated with Mastercard. You can contact the bank to find out more. |
Loyalty Programs & Other Issuer Perks | Although Celtic Bank does not have a reward program, Mastercard advantages are available to cardholders because the bank's cards are issued by Mastercard. If you want to know which Mastercard network benefits you'll receive with your new credit card, you'll need to contact Celtic Bank. |
Authorized Users | Not all Celtic Bank credit cards can have additional users. However, some cards like the Reflex Mastercard allow adding authorized users for a $30 one-time fee. |
Purchase Protection | One of the security features of Mastercard credit cards is purchase protection. Since Celtic Bank does not provide purchase protection, you may be able to obtain it through its Mastercard network. More information can be obtained from the bank. |
Co-Branding & Partnerships | Celtic Bank cards are all issued by a different finance company. It has partnerships with Deserve, Continental Financial Company and Genesis FS Card Services. |
Other Products Offered | Besides credit cards, Celtic Bank offers commercial and residential construction loans, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, asset-based credit, conventional equipment finance and lines of credit to business owners. |
Celtic Bank's credit cards offer easy rewards that might help you save money on regular purchases. Other companies service all of their credit cards. You can easily find a card from what they have to offer regardless of your credit score. Their selection of student credit cards is outstanding. It should be noted that they do not provide a welcome bonus. You may, however, be able to find cards that do not charge an annual or foreign transaction fee for the first year.
Celtic Bank's cards may be appropriate for the following individuals based on their selection of cards and card offerings:
Those trying to improve credit
The majority of Celtic Bank's credit cards are available to those with bad to excellent credit. By paying responsibly, they can improve their credit scores.
Students trying to build credit history
The bank offers a range of student cards for those looking for student discounts and cash back benefits on certain categories.
"Celtic Bank is a good place to start your credit journey or to repair your credit from previous mistakes. With responsible use of your Celtic Bank credit card, your credit score will grow so that you can qualify for cards that offer valuable rewards and benefits from other issuers."
- Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com
For students or people with bad credit, Celtic Bank isn't the only alternative. If you're still undecided, look into different credit cards for those with bad credit, like a secured card.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
