The average credit score of those ages 18 and 25 was 679 in 2022, the lowest of all age brackets, according to Experian data. Young adults and teenagers often lag behind older consumers simply because they lack the time necessary to build a good credit score.
If you're a teenager, young adult, or the parent of someone in that age range, consider looking into a Step bank account, which can help teens and young adults get ahead in their financial journey. Step also offers a credit-builder Visa Card, which easily competes with the best credit builder loans.
Learn more about how Step can set your children up with a credit builder account that can improve their credit score, how to open an account, and whether it's the right product for you.
Step Credit Builder Details
Founded by financial industry veterans CJ MacDonald and Alexey Kalinichenko, Step is an all-in-one mobile banking app that provides young teens and adults with the financial tools they need to make smart money decisions early in life. According to Step's website, its mission is to "improve the financial future of the next generation."
What is Step Credit Builder
While Step is not a bank, its products and services are provided through its FDIC-insured partner, Evolve Bank & Trust. In other words, up to $250,000 of your deposits will be protected in the unlikely event that the company goes under.
Not only does the Step app allow you to invest in securities like Bitcoin and earn 5.00% APY on your savings, but it also helps boost your credit score. With the secured Step Visa Card — essentially a credit card with training wheels — you can safely build up a positive credit history by only spending what you have in your deposit account.
Like a traditional credit card, Step will report payments to the credit bureaus, contributing to your credit history. You can also earn rewards when you use your card. However, Step doesn't charge interest on monthly payments, so you don't run the risk of mounting debt like a traditional credit card.
Compare Credit Builder Accounts
How Does Step Credit Builder Work?
Unlike a traditional secured credit card that requires you to make monthly payments on your purchases, the Step card functions more like a debit card. After opening your Step account, you'll be asked to make a deposit. Then, with the app's Smart Pay feature, your card purchases are automatically paid off each month using the funds available in your deposit account. So, if your Step account only has $250, you can only spend $250.
Since you're only allowed to spend the amount you've deposited into your account, it's impossible to overspend. You also won't miss a payment because all the purchases are already paid for with the money in your account and Step doesn't charge interest on your balance. So it's unlikely that the Step Credit Builder lowers your credit score.
If you're 18 and older, you can opt into the credit reporting feature to boost your credit score and build your credit file when you use the Step Visa Card. You can do so by selecting "Account Management" in the account information section, then clicking "Credit Reporting" and choosing "Opt-In." Once you've done that, Step will start reporting your positive credit history to the three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — on a monthly basis.
While the basic Step Visa Card is currently the company's only option, Step also has the Step Black card. While the Step Black card will come with a subscription fee of $99 a year, the benefits could make up for it. With this card, you can receive up to 8x points on everyday purchases, earn 5.00% APY on balances up to $1 million, and unlock over $250 in annual perks. However, if the $99 subscription fee is outside your budget, opt for the free basic version that could still boost your credit.
How to Open an Account For Step Banking
You can apply for the Step Visa Card by heading to the company's website and clicking the "Get Started" button on the top right corner of the screen. Anyone in the United States can open a Step account since there's no age requirement. But if you're under 18, you'll need a parent or guardian to sponsor your account. Once you turn 18, you can turn on credit reporting through the Account Management page.
Requirements for opening an account
Also, though Step doesn't perform a hard credit pull when you get started to open an account, you'll need to provide your US phone number and SSN to help Step verify your identity.
Once you've created an account, you'll immediately receive a virtual Step Visa Card to start building credit. This digital-only card comes with its unique card number, and you can use it online or add it to your mobile wallet to purchase items in-store. Step will also send you a physical card, which should arrive in your mailbox within 14 to 21 days after opening your account.
Step Banking Features and Drawbacks
Step boasts various features, making it one of the most popular banking solutions among teenagers and young adults. That said, Step is not without its downsides. Consider the following pros and cons before opening an account.
Step Banking Key Features
Available to users under 18: The Step Visa Card is one of the few banking products that allow you to start building a positive credit history before you turn 18. And once you're 18, you can opt in for Step to report your positive credit history to the three credit bureaus.
Credit builder reports to all three major credit bureaus: Some credit builder cards on the market only report your information to one or two of the major credit bureaus, but Step sends your positive credit history to all three.
Zero interest charges or fees: The Step Visa Card has zero monthly fees, in-network ATM fees, interest charges, or account minimum fees. Plus, because you can't spend more than what you have in your account, you aren't at risk of paying pesky overdraft fees.
Earn rewards: The Step Visa Card also offers cash back points on certain purchases like dining, entertainment and charitable donations.
No minimum deposit required: There is no minimum balance required for the Step card, making it easy for you to open an account and start building your credit.
User-friendly mobile app: The Step mobile app is available in the Apple Store and the Google Play Store. The app gives users a view of their spending habits in real time, making it easier to budget and save.
Step Banking Drawbacks
No customer support via phone: Step's lack of phone support can be inconvenient if you prefer having someone walk you through your issues instead of sending back-and-forth emails or messages.
Low ATM withdrawal limit: Because Step is primarily a teen banking platform, you can only withdraw up to $250 from an ATM within 24 hours and up to $1,000 within 30 days. So, while Step allows you to withdraw money from their network of 30,000 ATMs for free, its low withdrawal limit can be a deal breaker.
Can't deposit money through an ATM: Another one of Step's downsides is that you can't add money to your account through an ATM. Instead, you'll need to link a debit card from another bank account to your Step account, set up direct deposit with your employer, or transfer funds from Venmo, Cash App, or Paypal.
No prior payment history reported: Some credit-building accounts geared toward teens and parents, like FreeKick, will be able to report up to two years of prior payments when the account holder turns 18. Step doesn't offer this feature.
Pros and Cons of Step
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Comparing Step to Other Credit Building Tools
If you are 18 or older and interested in earning rewards on your spending while building your credit score, the Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card or the Discover it® Secured Credit Card could be a better fit for you.
The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is an alternative to a secured card — it has no annual fee, foreign fee, or late fee and doesn't require any credit history or deposit. It starts users out with earning 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away and if you make 12 on-time monthly payments, you can earn up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases.
You will have to be at least 18 to be approved for the Discover it® Secured Credit Card and put down a deposit of at least $200. At seven months from account opening, Discover will start automatic reviews of your account to see if you can transition to an unsecured line of credit and have your deposit returned. You can earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% back on all other purchases with this card.
Step Frequently Asked Questions
You can reach Step's customer service team at hello@step.com or by starting a live chat with them from the mobile app. They're available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. PST Monday to Friday and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST on the weekend.
Step reports your credit history to the credit bureaus every month, so you most likely won't see an immediate bump in your credit score after creating a Step account. But, as long as you use your Step card regularly, you'll see a positive impact on your credit over time.
A key benefit of Step is that there are no fees or interest charges associated with having an account.
Step focuses on credit building without the risk of building high- interest debt and has educational resources for beginners.
Yes, you can cancel your account by starting a chat with Step's team in the app. Keep in mind that if your account is reporting your payments to the credit bureaus, you could hurt your credit by closing your account.
