BOBCARD PRIME (formerly Assure) Credit Card Review
Bank of Baroda’s secured, FD-backed credit card: lifetime free, no income proof, and a simple way to build or rebuild a credit score.
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Assure is now BOBCARD PRIME
Bank of Baroda’s fixed-deposit-backed credit card was earlier marketed as BOB Assure. BOBCARD now offers this secured variant as BOBCARD PRIME, so anyone searching for the Assure card today will be issued PRIME.
PRIME is built for people who cannot get an unsecured card yet: students and first-time borrowers with no credit history, self-employed applicants without regular income proof, and anyone rebuilding a damaged CIBIL score. Because the card is backed by your FD, BOBCARD offers guaranteed issuance without income documents, except for applicants with a delinquent CIBIL record.
Fees and charges
| Item | PRIME |
|---|---|
| Joining fee | Nil |
| Annual fee | Nil |
| Add-on cards | Up to 3, lifetime free |
| Finance charge | 3.75% a month (45% a year) on revolving balances |
| Cash withdrawal | 2.5% of the amount, minimum ₹500 |
| Foreign currency markup | 3.5% |
| Late payment fee | Nil below ₹100 due, then ₹100 to ₹1,300 depending on the amount due |
Charges are from BOBCARD’s generic Most Important Terms and Conditions and attract 18% GST. Check the current MITC before applying, as BOBCARD revises fees periodically.
Eligibility and documents
- Fixed deposit: ₹30,000 or more, with a lien marked in favour of BOBCARD
- Age: 18 to 85 years for the primary cardholder; above 18 for add-on cardholders
- Income proof: not required
- Documents: recent photograph, PAN, address proof such as Aadhaar or Voter ID, and FD details with lien consent
- Credit history: no minimum score; issuance is guaranteed except for CIBIL-delinquent applicants
Your credit limit is linked to the FD. Ask the branch for the exact sanctioned limit, and remember the FD stays under lien for as long as the card is active.
Rewards and benefits
- 2 reward points per ₹100 spent on eligible purchases
- Welcome benefit: 500 reward points on spending ₹5,000 within 60 days of card issuance
- Redemption: points convert to cashback at 1 point = ₹0.20, which works out to about 0.4% back
- Fuel: 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions of ₹400–₹5,000, up to ₹250 per statement cycle (no points on fuel)
- Smart EMI: convert purchases above ₹2,500 into EMIs of 6 to 48 months
- Add-on cards: up to 3 lifetime-free cards for spouse, parents, siblings or children above 18
Rewards do not apply to fuel and to certain merchant categories listed in BOBCARD’s rewards terms.
Our verdict
- Lifetime free, with no joining or annual fee
- Issued against your FD, with no income proof needed
- Your FD keeps earning interest while it backs the card
- A low-risk way to start or rebuild a CIBIL score
- Rewards are modest at about 0.4% back
- Needs a ₹30,000+ FD that stays under lien
- 3.5% forex markup makes it a poor choice abroad
- No lounge or travel benefits
BOBCARD PRIME does one job well: it gives you a free, guaranteed credit card to build a credit history. Pay the full bill on time every month, keep usage well below the limit, and after 6–12 months of clean history you will usually qualify for an unsecured card with better rewards. If you already have a good score and steady income, an unsecured rewards card is the better pick.
FAQ
Is BOB Assure the same as BOBCARD PRIME?
The FD-backed card earlier marketed as Assure is now offered as BOBCARD PRIME. New applicants for a secured BOBCARD are issued PRIME.
What is the minimum FD for BOBCARD PRIME?
BOBCARD’s product page states guaranteed issuance against an FD of ₹30,000 or more.
Is BOBCARD PRIME lifetime free?
Yes. BOBCARD lists zero joining and annual fees, and up to three lifetime-free add-on cards.
Do I need income proof?
No. Issuance is against your FD, without income documents. Applicants with a delinquent CIBIL record may be declined.
How much are the reward points worth?
Each point redeems for ₹0.20 as cashback. At 2 points per ₹100, that is about 0.4% back.
Will it improve my credit score?
Yes, if you use it responsibly. BOBCARD reports the card to credit bureaus like any other credit card, so on-time payments and low utilisation build your score.