Milestone Mastercard (issued by The Bank of Missouri)

The Milestone Mastercard is an unsecured credit card issued by The Bank of Missouri and serviced by Genesis FS Card Services, designed for consumers with poor or damaged credit. Because it is an unsecured card, no security deposit is required to open an account, which distinguishes it from secured credit-building cards.

The card is targeted at people who may have had bankruptcies, collections, or other negative marks on their credit report and want a card to help rebuild their credit profile. The Bank of Missouri reports account activity to the major credit bureaus, so making on-time payments and keeping the balance low can contribute positively to your credit history over time.

Because this card is designed for higher-risk borrowers, it carries significantly higher costs than cards available to consumers with good credit. Annual fees are typical for this product, and the annual percentage rate is substantially higher than average. In some cases, fees charged in the first year can reduce the available credit limit from day one.

Before applying for the Milestone Mastercard, read the full pre-qualification disclosure and cardholder agreement carefully. Pay attention to all fees that apply including the annual fee, any program fees charged at account opening, and the APR. Calculate the net available credit after fees are applied and the total cost of holding the card.

Compare this option against secured cards from credit unions and community banks, which often provide a lower-cost path to building credit even though they require a deposit upfront. If you do open this account, use it sparingly, pay on time, and pay the full balance each month to avoid interest at the elevated rate.