Early January is a great time to think about your financial goals and ensure that the cards in your wallet are aligned with your needs. To help you start the year off on the right foot, we asked our Director of Visa Services, Jayme Shea, a few questions to gain insights on evaluating your credit card options.
Why is the end of the year a good time for members to evaluate the current cards in their wallets?
The New Year is a great time for a fresh financial start! Reviewing your credit cards now lets you see if your current interest rates, reward offerings, and any fees align with your financial goals in the new year. A credit card is not only a powerful financial tool that makes spending and tracking expenses more convenient, but it should also help make your finances easier to manage. When evaluating the cards in your wallet, start by checking each card’s interest rate – especially if you carry a balance – and take note of any fees that might be costing you extra.
Can you talk about why knowing the interest rate on each card is so important?
A higher rate can add up quickly, making it expensive to hold onto debt. For example, rewards cards often come with higher interest rates, which means the interest you pay could end up costing you more than the rewards if you carry a balance. In that case, switching to a lower rate card like our Classic Card, can help you save on interest and you can pay your debt faster.
Currently, our Classic Card offers a competitive 9.9% APR1, which is less than half the national average2. If you’re carrying balances on higher rate cards, consider transferring them over to our Classic Card via a Visa® balance transfer – it’s a simple way to reduce your interest while paying off your debt.
What are the benefits of a rewards-focused card, and how does PSECU’s Founder’s Rewards Card compare?
If you always pay your balance off in full each month, a rewards card might be best for you. With our Founder’s Rewards Card, you can earn 2%3 or 1.5% cash rewards on all purchases and enjoy no annual fees4. The rewards you earn don’t expire and are easy to redeem in digital banking. Plus, the interest rate is still low compared to other cards, so it’s a smart choice for getting extra value back from your spending.
What if someone is looking to either build or repair their credit; are there any credit card options available to those members?
If you’re looking to build or rebuild your credit, the Secured Visa® card is a fantastic option for you. We offer credit limits up to $2,500 and require a minimum collateral of $200 or 25% of the credit limit, whichever is higher, that’s held in your Regular savings share. You’ll use the Secured Visa just like any other card, and by making timely payments and managing your balance, you can build your credit history. This card has the potential to graduate to an unsecured card, so you won’t have to reapply for a card (if qualified) as you build or improve your credit.
What should members know about protecting themselves from fraud, especially during holiday shopping? Are there any security features that members should look for to keep their cards and accounts safer?
We take the security of our cardholders very seriously, and we’ve built features into our cards to help protect you. For example, you can set up transaction alerts to monitor your spending and use our lock/unlock feature if you ever misplace or lose your card. One of the most important things to remember is to be cautious if anyone reaches out asking for your card information or tries to convince you to move money from your PSECU account to another account.
How does having the right credit card support members’ financial goals for the year ahead?
The right card can make a big difference. Our credit card lineup offers options for every goal, and we’re here to support you along the way. Choose the one that aligns with your financial goals.
And don’t forget - our Resource Center, fraud prevention resources, and member support are always available to help you make smart financial moves year-round.
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2 The average APR on credit card accounts carrying a balance was approximately 21% in February 2026 (Federal Reserve). The average credit card balance was approximately $6,768 in 2025 (Experian). Based on a simple annual interest comparison using these figures, a 9.90% APR could reduce annual interest costs by up to hundreds over time. Illustrative example only. Actual savings may vary.
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