Together we stand LA Strong. Find support or ways to help at RizeCU.com/LAstrong.

Credit Builder Loan

CREDIT BUILDER LOAN

Life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes, those fluctuations can impact your credit score. Whether you have no credit history or your credit report has seen better days, a Credit Builder Loan is designed with you in mind.

What is a credit builder loan?

Our Credit Builder Loan is a way to build credit and savings at the same time. We place a set amount of money in a savings account, and you pay toward that account in monthly installments, then receive the balance at the end of the loan term.

Loan features

A Credit Builder loan is designed to help you build or improve your credit by establishing a positive payment history.

Here’s how it works:
We deposit the full loan amount – say, $1,000 – into a special Rize savings account where it’s held and earns dividends. You then make affordable monthly payments, like $100, which we report to the credit bureaus. As you make each payment, a portion of the loan is released and becomes available for you to withdraw.

By the time your loan is fully paid off, you’ll have built credit and saved money at the same time!

If you’re new to credit, a Credit Builder loan helps you establish a credit history. As you make on-time monthly payments, we report your positive payment activity to the three major credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. After about six months, your credit file usually has enough information to generate a score.

If you’ve had past credit issues, this loan can help rebuild your score – just be sure to stay current on all your accounts. Consistent, on-time payments over the life of the loan can steadily boost your credit.

Tip: You can track your credit score and monitor changes directly through Savvy Money in digital banking – it’s free, easy to use, and won’t affect your score.

A Credit Builder loan does more than just help improve your credit – it sets you up for long-term financial success. Here are some key benefits:

  • Builds your credit score by reporting on-time payments to the credit bureaus

  • Helps you save money – your payments are held in a savings account and released as the loan is repaid

  • Easier to qualify for since it’s secured by the loan amount itself

  • Earns dividends while your money is on hold in your savings account

  • Encourages smart saving habits by setting aside money each month

  • Develops financial discipline that can help when managing larger loans in the future

Yes! Credit Builder loans are designed specifically to help members who are just starting out or working to rebuild their credit. Having no credit – or past credit challenges – won’t prevent you from applying. We’re here to help you take positive steps toward a stronger financial future.

Yes, you can – but we don’t recommend it. The purpose of the loan is to help you build a consistent payment and savings history, which is reported to the credit bureaus. Paying it off too early may reduce the positive impact on your credit score. Sticking to the full term helps you get the most benefit!

1Amount of funds made available to withdraw is based on payment amount, interest paid, and dividends earned.