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Imagine a credit card that gives you purchasing power and also allows you to check your credit score. Sounds crazy— down right unbelievable, right? Well, that’s not the case. The Providian Visa Platinum credit card is the first and only credit card that allows cardholders to check their FICO scores.

Providian, which is now a part of Washington Mutual, has been providing quality service since 1997. Providian credit card used to be one of the leading credit card companies before the merger. Before the merger, the company specialized in helping and marketing to low credit and bad credit consumers.

Now that they’re back, and they continue to help low and bad credit consumers. The Providian Visa Platinum is a good card for consumers who are looking to raise or monitor their credit. The card offers a low introductory interest rate for balance transfers for the first 12 months, no annual fee, personalized card design. The card also has fraud protection against all unauthorized purchases, and certain applicants can be approved for up to $15,000 worth of credit.

This is a basic credit card, but if you are motivated to increase your credit score this could be the card for you. As long as you sign up for online banking you have constant access to your FICO score. The card isn’t perfect though, it seems that many of the customer service representatives aren’t completely knowledgeable about the card and tend to give you the run around, also there are no rewards, even though the credit card issuer claims that the card has added benefits such as restaurant perks and discounts.

When interest rates and fees began to increase, Providian ran into problems. In 2005, the company was bought by Washington Mutual, the nation’s largest loan and savings firm. Washington Mutual is the main provider of Providian credit cards. Washington Mutual purchased Providian in order to expand their credit card portfolio and increase sales.

Providian also has other interesting cards for consumers, such as the Providian Real Rewards card which gives cardholders rewards for select categories and on-time bill payment. The rewards points can be redeemed for frequent flyer discounts and restaurants discounts. You can even use the rewards to pay off your balance as well. The Providian Cash Rewards card gives cardholders cash back rebates, and the Premium Points credit account aligns with an accountholders credit card to put $1 back into the cardholder’s hands after each purchase.

Providian also has investment services, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit.