Bank of AmericaCustomized Cash Rewards Secured
$0 plus refundable depositPeople building credit who can use category rewards
Deposit and category cap
Check current offer This link goes to Bank of America’s site. Dean earns nothing if you apply.Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured
Annual fee $0 plus refundable deposit. Choice-category, grocery, wholesale-club, and base cash back under current terms.
See if it fits my walletDean’s short answer
Best fit: People building credit who can use category rewards.
SecuredChoose-your-category cash back
This card and its closest alternatives
The 3 reviewed personal cards that share the most card types and features with the Customized Cash Rewards Secured.
When a link pays Dean a commission, the card says so right there. Paid or not, the ranking never changes, and no issuer sponsors or endorses Dean. Approval, rates, and terms are controlled by the card issuer.
U.S. BankCash+ Secured Visa
$0 plus refundable depositU.S. Bank Cash+ Secured Visa
Same annual fee: $0 plus refundable deposit. Best fit: People building credit with predictable bills. Dean’s catalog lists it as: Secured, Choose-your-category cash back.
Read Dean’s reviewDiscoverDiscover it Secured
$0 plus refundable depositDiscover it Secured
Same annual fee: $0 plus refundable deposit. Best fit: People rebuilding credit who want rewards. Dean’s catalog lists it as: Secured, Rotating cash back.
Read Dean’s reviewBank of AmericaCustomized Cash Rewards
$0Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
Annual fee: $0, against $0 plus refundable deposit for the Customized Cash Rewards Secured. Best fit: People with a predictable choice category or Bank of America relationship. Dean’s catalog lists it as: Choose-your-category cash back.
Read Dean’s review| Card | Annual fee | Rewards and benefit summary | Best fit | Main drawback | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customized Cash Rewards SecuredBank of America | $0 plus refundable deposit | Choice-category, grocery, wholesale-club, and base cash back under current termsCredit-building review path; rewards while secured | People building credit who can use category rewards | Deposit and category cap | Bank of America Checked 2026-07-22 |
| Cash+ Secured VisaU.S. Bank | $0 plus refundable deposit | Chosen 5% and 2% categories under program caps; 1% otherCredit-building path with customizable rewards | People building credit with predictable bills | Deposit, quarterly selections, and caps | U.S. Bank Checked 2026-07-22 |
| Discover it SecuredDiscover | $0 plus refundable deposit | 5% rotating categories after activation up to cap; 1% other under current termsFirst-year Cashback Match; automatic reviews for deposit return | People rebuilding credit who want rewards | Deposit and rotating-category tracking | Discover Checked 2026-07-22 |
| Customized Cash RewardsBank of America | $0 | 3% chosen category; 2% grocery and wholesale clubs; combined quarterly cap; 1% other; first-year bonus rate under current offerCategory can be changed monthly; Preferred Rewards boost where eligible | People with a predictable choice category or Bank of America relationship | Quarterly cap; first-year rate is promotional | Bank of America Checked 2026-07-22 |
What it earns
Choice-category, grocery, wholesale-club, and base cash back under current terms.
What comes with it
Credit-building review path; rewards while secured.
Dean treats these as the reasons to hold the Customized Cash Rewards Secured. If you would not use them, the card is worth less to you than its marketing says.
- Credit-building review path
- rewards while secured
Who can get it
Dean lists the Customized Cash Rewards Secured for limited, fair, good credit. It is a personal card. Availability: public national.
A listed credit range is a starting point, not an approval promise. Bank of America decides approval, your credit limit, and your rate when you apply.
The catch
Deposit and category cap.
Annual fee: $0 plus refundable deposit. Dean checked the fee and terms against Bank of America on July 22, 2026. Terms can change after that date, so read the live offer before you apply.
How a tiered category cash back card works
Fixed bonus rates for categories such as groceries, dining, gas, online retail, or entertainment. Higher return on routine spending.
Best for: People whose spending matches the card's permanent categories. Watch for: Caps, merchant coding, and exclusions can reduce the headline rate.
How a rotating category cash back card works
Bonus categories change each quarter or promotion period. High rates in changing categories.
Best for: Optimizers willing to activate categories and track caps. Watch for: Activation and quarterly limits usually apply.
How a choose-your-category cash back card works
Cardholder selects one or more bonus categories. Lets rewards follow personal spending.
Best for: People with one predictable high-spend category. Watch for: Selection deadlines and combined category caps can apply.
How a secured credit card card works
Refundable deposit generally establishes the credit line. Credit reporting, controlled limit, possible graduation, sometimes rewards.
Best for: People building or rebuilding credit. Watch for: Deposit, fees, graduation policy, and reporting to all bureaus vary.
Flat rewards: how to value it
Same rate on most eligible purchases.
Conditions to check: Excluded cash-like transactions and redemption value. Best for simplicity and uncategorized spend.
Bonus categories: how to value it
Higher earn rate for named merchant categories.
Conditions to check: Merchant category code, caps, activation, and geographic limits. Verify how the merchant codes, not how it describes itself.
Annual travel credit: how to value it
Statement credit or instant discount for eligible travel.
Conditions to check: Calendar versus cardmember year, portal or merchant restrictions, exclusions. Value it at face value only if you would use it naturally.
Sources and scope
Check the evidence, then check the live offer.
Dean links directly to the issuer. Card terms and eligibility can change after the review date.