Executive Summary
Similarities
- Both Arro and Verve Mastercards are unsecured credit cards targeting individuals with bad or no credit history.
- Both cards are issued under the Mastercard network.
Differences
1. Fees
Arro's Fee: Arro Mastercard boasts significantly lower fees compared to Verve. Arro charges a monthly fee of $1 during the first year ($12 annually) and $3 per month thereafter ($36 annually). In contrast, Verve's fee structure varies depending on the version, with potential annual savings ranging from $89 to $139 with Arro.Verve's Fee: Verve Mastercard offers different versions with varying fees. Annual fees for the $750 and $1,000 limit versions amount to $125, while the $500 limit version also incurs the same fee. From the second year onwards, fees increase to $10 per month ($120 annually) for the $500 limit version.
| Card | Annual Fee | Monthly Fee | Credit Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verve $1,000 | $125 | $0* | $1,000 $2,000 after 6 on-time payments |
| Verve $750 | $125 | $0* | $$750 $1,500 after 6 on-time payments |
| Verve $500 | $125 | $0 - $10/month | $500 $1,000 after 6 on-time payments |
| Verve $300 | $75 Y1, then $99 | $0 - $10/month | $300 $600 after 6 on-time payments |
2. Credit Limits
Arro's Initial Credit Limit: Arro offers a starting credit limit ranging from $50 to $200, with opportunities to increase it through financial literacy courses via the Arro mobile app.Arro's Maximum Credit Limit: The maximum credit limit for Arro Mastercard is $2,500.
Verve's Maximum Credit Limit: The maximum credit limit for Verve Mastercard is $4,000.
3. APR
Arro features a lower APR of 16% compared to Verve's APR of 29.9%. Additionally, completing financial literacy courses through the Arro app may further reduce the APR.4. Approval Criteria
Arro does not rely solely on FICO scores for approval. Instead, it considers factors such as a minimum monthly income of $1,800, a positive bank balance of at least $50, and the linking of the applicant's bank account to Arro via PLAID.Verve, on the other hand, typically requires a FICO score of at least 600 for pre-approval and final approval. Verve also requires you to have a checking account.


