The Yendo credit card, explained without the sales pitch
Yendo turns the value of your car into a credit line, with no cash deposit. Here is how it works, what it really costs, and when it is a smart move or a risky one.
- Credit limit
- By car value
- Cash deposit
- $0
- Fixed APR
- 24.88–35.88%
- Available in
- 40 states
Yendo card at a glance
The numbers that matter most, from Yendo's published terms. Your own offer depends on your vehicle and application.
Credit limit
Set by your car
Year, make, model, mileage and condition all count. Your exact limit appears when you check your offer.
APR, purchases & cash
24.88%–35.88%
Fixed rate, no interest if paid in full
Annual fee
$40–$69
Depends on the card you're offered
Cash deposit
$0
Your car title is the collateral instead, and you keep driving the car.
Other fees & features
- Cash back
- 1.5% unlimited
- Cash advance fee
- 3%
- Lien placement fee
- Up to $25, once
- Foreign transaction fee
- 3%
- Card network
- Mastercard
- Vehicle age
- 1996 or newer
- Cross River BankIssuer, Member FDIC
- All 3 credit bureausPayments are reported
- No score impactTo check your offer
- 40 statesSee the map
What is the Yendo credit card?
Yendo is a US credit card that is secured by your vehicle instead of a cash deposit. It works on the Mastercard network, so you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted, online or in person.
A traditional secured card asks you to lock up cash, often $200 to $500, and your limit usually matches that deposit. Yendo takes a different route. It looks at the equity in your car and uses it to set a credit line that is often much higher than most people could put down in cash.
In return, Yendo places a lien on your vehicle title. You keep driving the car. The lien is released once your balance is paid to $0 and the account is closed.
That trade is the heart of this card. It opens higher credit to people with limited or damaged credit, but it also puts a valuable asset on the line. The rest of this guide helps you weigh both sides.
How it works, step by step
Most of the process happens in the Yendo mobile app. Here is the typical path from application to first purchase.
-
Apply in the app
Share basic details about yourself, your income and your vehicle. Pre-approval takes about a minute and does not affect your credit score.
-
Photograph your car
Upload photos so Yendo can verify condition. Year, make, model and mileage help set the offer.
-
Hand over the title
Drop the title at a partner location or mail it with prepaid shipping. If you still have an auto loan, the process differs slightly.
-
Use your card
Once approved, spend anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Yendo reports payments to all three major credit bureaus.
Read the full guide to applying and the title process
Photos via Unsplash: Chidera Faustina Okeke, Swansway Motor Group, Leon Seibert, SumUp. Illustrative only; not images of Yendo's app or staff.
Where is the Yendo card available?
Yendo lists 40 states on its official locations page. If your state is not covered yet, you cannot apply, even if your vehicle qualifies.
Not available yet
Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, D.C.
Things to know
Availability depends on your state, so check the list before you apply. The title process also varies: some states have Yendo hold the physical title; in others, Yendo is recorded as lienholder and you get a lien release when you close the account.
Source: yendo.com/locations, checked September 2026. State-by-state details
Yendo vs. a cash-secured card vs. a title loan
Yendo sits between two familiar products. It borrows the collateral idea from title loans and the revolving, credit-building structure of a credit card.
| Feature | Yendo card | Cash-secured card | Car title loan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collateral | Vehicle title (lien) | Cash deposit | Vehicle title |
| Typical limit | Based on vehicle value | Matches deposit, often $200–$2,000 | Lump sum, often 25%–50% of car value |
| Cost | 24.88%–35.88% fixed APR; no interest if paid in full | Often 25%–30% APR | Can reach triple-digit APRs |
| Structure | Revolving credit line | Revolving credit line | One-time loan, short term |
| Builds credit | Yes, reports payment history | Yes | Usually not |
| Worst case | Car can be repossessed after default | You lose the deposit | Car can be repossessed |
Title loan and secured card figures are general market ranges, not quotes. Compare more alternatives
Yendo vs. popular secured credit cards
If you can set aside a few hundred dollars, a traditional secured card may cost less and puts no vehicle at risk. Here is how Yendo lines up against three well-known options for building credit.
| Feature | Yendo | Capital One Platinum Secured | OpenSky Secured Visa | Discover it Secured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collateral | Vehicle title | Cash deposit of $49, $99 or $200 | Cash deposit, $200 minimum | Cash deposit, $200 minimum |
| Credit limit | Based on vehicle value | Starts low, set by deposit | Equal to deposit, up to $3,000 | Equal to deposit |
| Annual fee | $40–$69 | $0 | $35 | $0 |
| APR | 24.88%–35.88% fixed | Variable | Variable | Variable |
| Rewards | 1.5% cash back | None | Limited | 2% at gas stations and restaurants (quarterly cap), 1% on everything else |
| Credit check | Soft check for pre-approval | Yes | No credit check | Yes |
| What you risk | Your vehicle, after default | Your deposit | Your deposit | Your deposit |
Competitor terms from issuer pages and Bankrate, checked September 2026. Variable APRs move with the prime rate, so check each issuer for today's rate. See all alternatives
Pros and cons
What works well
- No cash deposit. Your car does the work, so your savings stay free.
- Higher limits than most starter cards, based on your car's value.
- Fixed APR, far below typical title loan costs.
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back, rare for a credit-building card.
- Accessible to people with thin or damaged credit.
- You keep driving your car the whole time.
What to watch
- Your car is collateral. Serious non-payment can lead to repossession.
- APR is high if you carry a balance month to month.
- Annual fee of $40–$69, which many secured cards don't charge.
- Title stays under lien until the balance is $0 and the account is closed.
- Cash advances cost 3% up front plus interest from day one.
- Selling or refinancing your car gets more complicated.
The one question to ask first
Would losing your car hurt your ability to work, get kids to school, or reach medical care? If yes, treat this card as a tool for small purchases you pay off every month, or look at a cash-secured card instead. Consumer experts, including LendingTree's chief credit analyst quoted in Fortune, draw the same line: losing a $200 deposit is not the same as losing your car.
What happens if you miss a payment?
This is the part most reviews skip. Because your car secures the account, falling behind has bigger consequences than on a regular card. The exact fees and timing are set by your cardholder agreement and state law, but the general path looks like this.
Right after the due date
The payment is late. A late fee may be charged and you may lose any on-time payment benefits.
30 days past due
Lenders can report the late payment to the credit bureaus. One 30-day late mark can lower a score noticeably and stays on your report for up to seven years.
60 to 90+ days past due
More late marks are reported, interest keeps building, and the account may move to collections.
Default
If the account defaults, the lender may take steps to repossess the vehicle under the agreement and your state's rules.
If you think you'll miss a payment
Contact Yendo before the due date, not after. Ask what options exist for your situation, and get any arrangement in writing.
Paying at least the minimum on time protects both your credit score and your car. Turning on autopay for the minimum is the simplest safeguard.
General information about how secured credit works, not legal advice. For your rights around repossession in your state, see the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or your state attorney general.
What will a balance really cost you?
Move the sliders to see how long it takes to pay off a balance and how much goes to interest. Paying in full each month means $0 interest.
- Total interest
- $0
- Total paid
- $0
- First month's interest
- $0
Estimate only. Assumes no new purchases, no fees and interest compounded monthly. Your statement and minimum payment rules may differ.
How to use a Yendo card safely
A vehicle-secured card works best as a credit-building tool, not a loan. These habits keep costs low and your car safe.
Pay the full statement balance
You pay no interest on purchases when the full balance is paid on time each month. That turns a 30% APR into 0%.
Set up autopay
Automate at least the minimum payment so a busy week never becomes a late mark on your credit report.
Keep usage under 30%
Using less than about 30% of your limit helps your credit utilization, a major part of your score.
Skip cash advances
They cost 3% up front and start charging interest immediately. Use them only in a genuine emergency.
Keep your car insured
Your vehicle is collateral, so keep insurance and registration current, and read any requirements in your agreement.
Plan your exit
Once your score improves, you can pay to $0, close the account and get your lien released, then move to an unsecured card.
Who can qualify?
Yendo focuses on your vehicle more than your credit score. Based on published requirements, you will generally need:
- A car, SUV or light-duty truck, model year 1996 or newer
- A vehicle in working condition
- A vehicle you own outright, lease, or are paying off with an auto loan
- Enough equity to support a limit of at least $450
- Verifiable income and US residency in a state Yendo serves
- Your vehicle title, or the details of your auto loan
Is it a good fit?
Likely a good fit if you
own a reliable car with solid equity, have limited or bruised credit, can't tie up cash for a deposit, and plan to pay your balance in full most months.
Probably not a fit if you
depend on your only car to earn a living and your income is uncertain, expect to carry large balances, plan to sell your car soon, or already qualify for an unsecured card with no annual fee.
Explore the guides
How Yendo works
The application, the title handoff and what happens to your car.
Rates and fees
Every APR, fee and charge, with examples of real costs.
Eligibility and states
Vehicle rules, income checks and where the card is available.
Full review
Our balanced verdict, with user feedback from across the web.
Alternatives
Secured cards, credit builder loans and unsecured starter cards.
Getting your title back
How to pay off, close the account and clear the lien.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Yendo credit card legit?
Yes. Yendo is a real US lender that issues a vehicle-secured credit card. It has been covered by NerdWallet, Credit Karma and Fortune. As with any credit product, read the cardholder agreement before you apply.
Can Yendo take my car?
Yendo places a lien on your vehicle title. If you stop paying and the account goes into default, the lender can pursue repossession under the terms of the agreement and your state's laws. Paying on time protects your car.
What credit limit can I get with Yendo?
Your limit depends on the year, make, model, mileage and condition of your vehicle, plus other factors such as income. Yendo shows your exact offer when you check pre-approval.
Does Yendo check my credit?
Yendo reviews your credit and income as part of the application, but approval leans heavily on the value of your vehicle, so people with thin or damaged credit can still qualify.
Can I keep driving my car?
Yes. You keep and drive your car as normal. Only the title is used as collateral.
How do I get my title back?
Pay the balance to $0 and close the account. Yendo then releases the lien. In title-holding states the title is returned to you; in other states you receive a lien release to take to your DMV.
Which states is Yendo available in?
Yendo lists 40 states. It is not yet available in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, South Dakota, Vermont or Washington, D.C.
Who issues the Yendo credit card?
Yendo credit cards are issued by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC, under license from Mastercard. Yendo, Inc. runs the program and the app.
Does applying hurt my credit score?
Checking your pre-approval offer does not affect your credit score, according to Yendo. Accepting an offer and opening the account can involve a full credit review.
Sources and methodology
We build every page from the issuer's own published terms first, then check them against independent reviews and consumer agencies. When sources disagree, we use the issuer's figures and note the difference. We recheck key numbers regularly and update the date at the top of the page. Read our full editorial policy.
- Yendo: rates, fees and issuer disclosures (yendo.com)
- Yendo: where the card is available (yendo.com)
- Yendo: how it works (yendo.com)
- 5 things to know about the Yendo credit card (NerdWallet, 2026)
- Yendo Vehicle Equity Mastercard card details (Credit Karma)
- A new borrowing option: a credit card secured by your car (Fortune, 2025)
- OpenSky Secured Visa vs. Capital One Platinum Secured (Bankrate)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov)
Need $200 to $5,000?
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