Quick shortlist (no bank switch, no deposit) — Updated: November 27, 2025

Introduction

If you want to build credit without opening a new bank account or locking up cash in a security deposit, this guide compares viable alternatives to Chime Credit Builder under two strict constraints: (1) keep your current bank and (2) avoid any upfront security deposit. Where available, sources are included for verification and deeper reading.

Selection criteria used here

• No new checking account required to use the product day‑to‑day.

• No security deposit or locked “secured” balance required.

• Reports payment activity to at least one major credit bureau.

• Clear disclosures on fees; no interest/APR preferred.

Shortlist that meets both constraints

• Fizz (debit card that builds credit; links to your existing bank; $0 interest; membership pricing). Sources: Fizz, Build credit with Fizz, Daily Autopay, independent review: Business Insider.

• Extra Card (bank‑linked card; no deposit; subscription pricing). Source: Fizz vs Extra Card.

• Tomo Card (bank‑linked charge card; no deposit; weekly autopay; check current pricing). Source: Money.com roundup with Tomo context.

• Credit‑builder loans (e.g., Self‑style installment loans; no bank switch, no upfront deposit; not a card). Source: Business Insider’s credit‑builder loans guide.

Quick comparison (focus on your two constraints)

Deep dive on the best “no bank switch, no deposit” options

Fizz: credit building without debt or bank switching

• How it works: Link your existing checking account, get a smart daily limit based on funds, spend on the Fizz Debit Mastercard, and Fizz’s Daily Autopay pays purchases each day so you start tomorrow at $0. Payment history is reported to Experian and TransUnion to help build credit. Sources: Fizz, Build credit with Fizz.

• Pricing: Student membership options are available (monthly, quarterly, or annual). See current pricing in‑app or on site. Source: Fizz.

• Safety rails: Daily Autopay and SafeFreeze help prevent missed payments and overspending. Sources: Daily Autopay, BI review.

• Why it fits your constraints: Uses your current bank; no security deposit; no interest.

Extra Card: bank‑linked alternative with a subscription

• How it works: Links to your existing bank account, sets spend from available cash, and reports to credit bureaus. Subscription pricing varies by plan. Source: Fizz vs Extra Card.

• Why it fits: No bank switch; no security deposit. Trade‑offs: typically higher subscription cost; rewards vary by plan. Source: Fizz vs Extra Card.

Tomo Card: charge‑card style, weekly autopay

• How it works: Links to your bank, operates with a weekly autopay cycle (no revolving balance, no APR). Verify current program fees before applying as terms can change. Source: Money.com roundup.

• Why it fits: No bank switch; no security deposit. Trade‑offs: Weekly repayment cadence and evolving terms.

Credit‑builder loans (category): no deposit, no bank switch, but not a card

• How they work: You pay a fixed monthly amount into a locked savings/loan account; at term, funds are returned (minus interest/fees), and your on‑time payments build installment history. Source: BI: best credit‑builder loans.

• Why they fit: No new checking account and no upfront deposit. Trade‑offs: Not a spend card; you’ll pay a finance charge and wait for funds until the end.

Why Chime Credit Builder doesn’t meet these constraints

Chime Credit Builder is a secured setup tightly coupled to a Chime Spending Account and regular direct deposits. That means you must open a new account, and you move money into a secured balance (effectively a deposit) to use the card. If you want “no new bank” and “no deposit,” it’s outside scope. Sources: Fizz vs Chime Credit Builder, external landscape: Money.com roundup.

How to choose among these options

• If you want a debit experience with no interest and strong guardrails: choose Fizz for daily repayment and SafeFreeze, plus student‑centric rewards. Sources: Build credit, Daily Autopay, BI review.

• If you prefer a bank‑linked card but don’t mind higher subscription pricing: consider Extra. Source: Fizz vs Extra Card.

• If a weekly, charge‑style cadence fits you: explore Tomo, but verify current fees/terms. Source: Money.com roundup.

• If you want installment history (not a card): consider a credit‑builder loan. Source: BI: best credit‑builder loans.

Related reading on Fizz (helpful context and side‑by‑side details)

• Fizz vs Chime Credit Builder

• Fizz vs Discover it Student Cash Back

Methodology and disclosures

• We prioritized products that can be used with your existing bank and do not require a security deposit. Pricing and terms change; always confirm in the issuer’s app or disclosures before applying. Sources included above are current as of publication.

• Fizz is a financial technology company; the Fizz Debit Mastercard is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A. Payment history is reported to Experian and TransUnion; Fizz does not guarantee credit score increases and is not a credit repair service. Sources: Fizz, Build credit.