San Francisco-based credit startup Zero is taking its debit-style credit model to Android.
Bryce Galen, CEO and co-founder of Zero, told Bank Innovation the launch is evidence of the growing demand for “financially responsible” credit cards. The company launched an iOS app earlier this year.
The card is made possible through partnerships with WebBank, Evolve Bank & Trust and Mastercard. According to the company, Zero is supported by a checking account and credit account. Through a “debit-style experience,” both accounts work together with a user experience comparable to a cash back debit card. Deposits and Zerocard spending appear in one place in the app and customers can get cash back rewards on spending.
“We paired a credit card with a checking account the same way most banks pair a debit card with a checking account — essentially you can think of it as a check in cash that you use,” said Galen. The limit on Zero’s credit card corresponds with customers’ Zero checking account balance.
Zerocard offers users up to 3% cash back on qualified purchases. Its rewards are available in four levels; Quartz, Graphite, Magnesium and Carbon. Each level comes with a corresponding increase in the percentage of cashback earned. Levels of cards are granted to users based on customer referrals to Zero or the customer’s annual spending.
Like Zero’s iOS mobile app, the Android app will allow users to see their transactions in realtime. If a customer makes a purchase, it is reflected in their balance right away instead of days later, which is often the case with some bank cards. Zero is also using the data to present personal finance insights, including an outline of where customers are more likely to spend based on transaction behavior.
See also: Looking to beat Apple to the punch, digital competitors roll out cashback cards
According to Galen, although Zerocard offers customers the option to revolve, over 90% of users have chosen to enable the debit-style experience function. The objective, explained Galen, is to curb unintentional overspending, with the balance automatically paid at the end of each billing cycle.
Galen noted that Zero doesn’t encourage users to pay less interest. Instead, it focuses on helping customers pay no interest by enabling a debit card experience. He pointed out that cash back rewards, the lack of fees, as well as instant money transfers and rewards, make it a compelling value proposition.
“It simplifies our life. Zero helps give people a lot better oversight of where they stand and stand top their money,” he said.
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