If you’re looking to build or rebuild your credit, this guide will help you decide if the Cerulean credit card is the right fit for your financial journey.
This article will show you:
- Whether the Cerulean card is worth your time (and money).
- Its pros, cons, benefits, and fees.
- Top alternatives.
Read more:
Cerulean Credit Card at a Glance
Full name: Cerulean Mastercard credit card
What’s the card good for: Building, rebuilding, fixing credit
Issuer: Bank of Missouri
Serviced by: Continental Finance
Required credit score: No credit score required to apply
What Is the Cerulean Credit Card from Continental Finance?
The Cerulean Credit Card (issued by the Bank of Missouri and serviced by the Continental Finance) is designed for those looking to establish or rebuild their credit.
It accepts folks with either bad, damaged, or no credit history at all.
Cerulean Credit Card: Overall Card Review
Key Cerulean Mastercard Credit Card Fees & Rates
Now onto those pesky fees:
|
Fee |
Detail |
|
Annual fee |
$99–$120* |
|
Monthly maintenance fee |
$10** |
|
APR |
19.65%–24.90% |
|
APR for cash advances |
19.65%–24.90% |
|
Balance transfer fee |
N/A |
|
Cash advance fee |
$5.00 or 5% (whichever is greater) |
|
Foreign transaction fee |
3% |
|
Late fee |
Up to $37 |
|
Minimum interest charge fee |
None |
|
Returned payment fee |
Up to $37 |
|
Additional card fee |
$30 (one time, if applicable) |
*The annual fee for some cardholders is $75 for the first year.
**If billed monthly instead of an annual fee.
Cerulean Credit Card: Pros & Cons
Pros
- Credit building tool.
- Credit limit increases.
- Reports to credit bureaus.
- No security deposit.
- Mastercard Zero Liability Protection.
Cons
- High fees.
- Limited benefits.
- Possible low credit limit.
- High interest rate.
Pros—why we like it
Credit building tool
The Cerulean card was designed specifically for those with limited or damaged credit history. It reports to all three credit bureaus, and if you use it responsibly, you can build credit fast.
Read more:
Credit limit increases
Again, with responsible card use, you can qualify for credit limit increases as soon as after six months.
No security deposit
In contrast to secured credit cards often recommended for individuals with poor or no credit history, the Cerulean credit card doesn’t require any upfront deposit to open an account.
That makes it a more accessible option for credit rebuilding.
Mastercard Zero Liability Protection
You can enjoy peace of mind with this card. If anything odd were to happen, you’d be out of the loop.
Cons—things to keep in mind
High fees
The fees will depend on your creditworthiness—but the annual fee ranges from $75 in the first year to even $120 in the second year. There are some cheaper alternatives.
Read more:
Limited benefits
Cerulean lacks rewards, cashback, or significant perks compared to other cards. But then again, who thinks about earning cashback if they’re focused on building credit, right?
Possible low credit limit
The initial credit limit could be low, making it less helpful for larger expenses. The starting limit is from $300 to $1,000—but the associated fees will make it even smaller.
Remember
Always remember that to successfully build a good credit score, you need to spend way less than 30% of your limit.
High interest rate
Carrying a balance on the card may cause you to end up with high interest charges.
What You Need to Know About the Cerulean Mastercard
Cerulean credit card credit score needed
The Cerulean credit card from Continental Finance is designed for customers who need some help fixing up their credit.
To get one, you’ll probably need a credit score between 550-650 (but other finances like your income and debts matter too).
If you’re smart with it—pay on time, don’t max it out—using this card can boost your credit score over time, opening doors to more financial goodies down the road.
Application process
To apply for a Cerulean credit card: visit their website, call 1-866-513-4598, or return the offer you got in the mail.
If you go through the Cerulean credit card pre-approval process and get approved, it doesn’t mean you’ll get the card.
The issuer will do a hard pull on your credit report and assess different aspects of your financial situation to decide whether you qualify for the card.
Remember
If you want to get a credit card ASAP, Continental Finance might not be the best option for you. A lot of online reviewers mention they had to wait a long time to get their card after being officially approved for it.
You can check the application status of the Cerulean credit card using the same details you used to apply.
Continental Finance customer service
To contact Continental Finance, you can:
- Visit their website.
- Call them on 866-665-7967.
(Office hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, ET.)
- Shoot them the old-school mail at the Continental Finance address:
Cerulean Card
P.O. Box 3220
Buffalo, NY 14240-3220
Cerulean Customer Service Reviews Found Online
Out of 3,219 customer reviews on Trustpilot, only 71 were one-star.
Here are some of them—
“I called three times today because they froze my card for whatever reason. I called to see why that was & the first guy pretended he didn’t hear me say my name three times, so he hung up, so I called back again & another guy answered & said I needed to call back in 23 minutes because he didn’t have anyone to assist me? Then why did you answer the phone? What kind of service?”
“I spoke with someone on the phone twice about trying to register to make payments on the mobile app. I was referred to IT both times I was told someone would call me back with instructions. I’ve been waiting for about four days now.”
“I applied for the Cerulean card through Credit Karma and was approved for 1,000. To date, still no card nor no new account added to my credit. But they have my personal information.”
But then, there are 3,000 reviews like these—
“I was having problems getting registered and spoke with Michelle, who not only successfully helped me get registered, but she was super friendly, professional, and personable.”
“The agent was awesome! He was understanding of my situation and helped me get caught up on my bill. This was my first experience with customer service, as I usually take care of my payments on the app.
I am beyond satisfied with the service, the professionalism, and the personable treatment I received, despite the fact that I was past due.”
Alternatives: How Does Cerulean Card Compare to Other Credit Cards for Bad Credit?
Learn more about the FIT card by reading our honest FIT credit card review.
Need even more options? Check out these cards—
Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®
- Annual fee: $60–$120
- APR: 29.99%
- Starting limit: $300–$1,000
- Hard inquiry: Yes
Learn more about the Reflex card by reading our detailed Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® review.
Verve credit card
- Annual fee: $99
- APR: 25.90%–29.99%
- Starting limit: Up to $1,000
- Hard inquiry: Yes
Read more:
Cerulean Credit Card: Useful Links
- Activate your Cerulean Mastercard on the issuer’s website.
- Visit Continental Finance’s Cerulean credit card sign-in page.
- Manage your account online here.
- Learn more about owning a credit card at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website.
- Get your free FICO score.
- Download the Continental Finance app for iOS or Android.
- Download our free credit card payoff calculator.
Is the Cerulean Credit Card Good for Me?
To figure out if the Cerulean Credit Card vibes with your situation, ask yourself these questions:
- Do you mainly want to improve your credit score?
- Are you cool with the annual fee and other costs tied to this card?
- Are you okay with no rewards or cashback as long as your credit gets better?
- Would you rather have a secured card with a deposit, or do you like that Cerulean doesn’t need one?
- Can you stay on track with payments and steer clear of high interest charges by paying your card in full each month?
Remember
Your answers will help you decide if the Cerulean Credit Card is your go-to card for reaching your financial goals.
FAQ
What credit score do you need for Continental Finance?
Continental Finance cards usually cater to people with compromised or limited credit. No exact credit score is needed, as they target a wide range of profiles.
With that, always remember they usually offer cards with annual fees and high interest rates.
Learn how to increase your credit score fast and apply for a better credit card.
If you want to skip forking out hundreds of dollars, first check what is a good credit score and try building your score without a credit card.
What is the maximum limit on the Cerulean credit card?
The maximum credit card limit on the Cerulean Mastercard is $2,000.
There are reviews online stating that it’s hard to get it, though, so be extremely careful with responsible card usage (making payments on time and so on).
If you need a bigger credit limit, check out how to increase your credit score fast and apply for better credit cards.
What credit score is needed for a Cerulean credit card?
The card is for folks aiming to build or fix their credit, so it’s cool with limited or not-so-great credit scores.
What bank owns the Cerulean credit card?
Continental Finance issues the Cerulean credit card, but it’s serviced by the Bank of Missouri. They’re like a team.
Check out reviews of credit cards for bad credit issued by Continental Finance:
What is the annual fee for the Cerulean credit card?
The annual fee varies based on your creditworthiness. Check the card terms and conditions upon approval for the exact amount, but it should be between $99 and $120.
Once improving your credit score, check out some credit cards with no annual fee.
How do I contact Cerulean credit card?
Try the customer service number on the back of your card or visit the Continental Finance website (continentalfinance.net/single_card_info.php?choice=ceruleanCard) for contact details or online help.
How do I check the status of my Cerulean card?
Reach out to Cerulean customer service to ask about your application or current card status. Continental Finance’s phone number is 866-665-7967.
How long does it take to receive the Cerulean credit card?
Typically, it may take seven to ten business days after approval for the card to arrive. If it takes longer, consider contacting customer service.
Beware, though—online reviewers claim that it takes ages to receive the card.
