A one-stop-shop for your banking needs can be difficult to find. This is especially true if you have a less-than-perfect credit history or want to open a U.S. account without U.S. citizenship.

The Sable app cuts through the red tape to provide an online banking experience complete that includes both a debit and credit card. Plus, you may not need to provide a Social Security number to apply.

Ready to see what the Sable app has to offer? Let’s dive in too see if it could be a good banking and credit-building option for you.

What Is Sable?

Sable was founded by immigrants to the U.S. that faced a series of barriers in the financial system. A few of the most tedious obstacles included challenges receiving their salaries, an inability to open a U.S. credit card, and exceptionally high rental security deposits.

The founders navigated a cumbersome U.S. banking experience for internationals and decided that something needed to change. With their experience in mind, the Sable app was born to provide a simple banking experience for users of all international backgrounds.

Sable supports principles of effortless and borderless banking that offers equal access regardless of citizenship. If you're looking for an inclusive banking experience that provides access to both a debit and credit card, then Sable could be worth considering.

What Does It Offer?

Here’s what stands out about the Sable app and cards.

Secured Card To Build Credit History

Credit history can be a challenge to build without the right tools. But the Sable ONE Secured Credit Card might be the exact tool you’ve been looking for.

The Sable Secured Credit Card does not require a credit check. And each and every purchase will count towards building your credit as Sable reports to the major credit bureaus.

As a secured card, your credit limit will initially be equal to the security you put up. But cardholders can graduate to a secured version of the card in as little as four months.

Here are a few milestones that can help you graduate to an unsecured version of the card that quickly:

• On-time monthly payments
• Monthly transactions of at least $250
• Credit limit of at least $500 each of the past 4 months
• Direct deposits in your Sable bank account of at least $500 each of past 4 months

This card doesn't have an annual fee. And as we'll discuss in more detail later, cardholders earn cash back rewards on their purchases of 1% to 2%.

No Social Security Number Required

A Social Security number (SSN) is a sticking point in most banking products. But with Sable, you don't need an SSN to open an account. That opens the door to non-U.S. citizens.

If you don’t have an SSN, you'll need a passport, your U.S. Visa, and your U.S. address. This information will allow you to apply for both a debit and credit card inside the Sable app. 

Note that if you do have a Social Security number, you'll need to provide it on your application. You can only withhold from providing an SSN if you're a non-U.S. citizen who doesn't have one.

Cash Bonus For Great Credit

In addition to helping you build credit through credit reporting, Sable rewards you for meeting major credit goals. When you achieve a credit score of 700 or higher within 12 months of use, Sable will give you $25.

Ongoing Rewards And Perks

The Sable app offers a great opportunity to earn cash back rewards:

• Secured card rewards: With the Sable Secured Credit Card, you’ll earn 2% cash back at Amazon, Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, Uber, UberEats, and Whole Foods. You'll earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. And at the end of your first year, you'll receive a match of all the cash back that you've earned.
• Debit card rewards: With the Sable Debit Card, you'll earn 1% cash back at Amazon, Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, Uber, UberEats, and Whole Foods.

On the Sable ONE Secured Card, you'll also receive car rental insurance, cell phone protection, and travel assistance.

Are There Any Fees?

Sable prides itself on having no fees -- and no surprises for its customers. With that, you won’t encounter any annual fees, foreign transaction fees, or late payment fees.

However, you will run into interest charges on the credit card if you don’t pay off the balance in full each month. Currently, Sable charges 6.99% APR above the prime rate. As of October 2021, the prime rate is 3.25%, which means Sable's effective rate is 10.24% APR.

To be clear, we don't want to see anyone paying 10.24% on their credit card transactions. However, it should be noted that 10.24% is actually a lower rate than many secured cards charge. For example, the APR rate on the Discover it Secured Credit Card is currently 22.99%.

For the bank account and debit card, you won’t find a monthly fee, overdraft fee, or foreign transaction fees. You also won’t need to meet any minimum balance requirements.

How Does Sable Compare?

Sable's Secured Credit Card is what really sets it apart from other financial companies. There are other banks that offer secured credit cards that don't require a credit check. But Sable is one of the only ones that doesn't require a Social Security number for non-U.S. citizens. 

The Deserve Edu is one of the only other credit cards that can be applied for right now without an SSN. But it's only available to international students.

Sable also gives cardholders a path to an unsecured card in as little as four months which is one of the fastest graduation timetables that we've seen. Here's a closer look at how the Sable ONE Secured Credit Card compares to other top secured credit cards.

How Do I Open An Account?

The process to work with Sable is very straightforward.

You’ll start by visiting its website and selecting ‘Open An Account.’ Sable will ask for some personal information. Once your contact information is confirmed, you'll need to download the Sable app to finalize your account.

Be prepared with your information. If you don’t have a Social Security Number, you should bring your passport, U.S. Visa, and U.S. address. The passport will need to be scanned.

In total, it should take around 5 minutes to go through the process.

Is It Safe And Secure?

The funds in your Sable deposit account are FDIC-insured through Sable’s partner, Coastal Community Bank. With that, the funds are protected for up to $250,000. Additionally, the credit card offers Zero Liability protection which should prevent responsibility for unauthorized charges. 

How Do I Contact Sable?

Need to get in contact with Sable? You can start by emailing [email protected] or giving them a call at 1-888-583-8383.

Additionally, you can reach out over Facebook @sablemoney, Instagram @sablecard, Twitter @sable_card, or LinkedIn @sable-card.

The company has earned 3.7/5 stars on Trustpilot, but only a handful of customers have reviewed the new service. Sable Money has an A- rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) but is not BBB-accredited.

Is It Worth It?

The perks and rewards offered through the Sable app are enticing. But the real win is the ability to access banking features that are essential for everyday life without a credit check requirement and no Social Security Number required for non-U.S. citizens.

Still, Sable won’t be the right fit for everyone. If you don’t need help building credit or access to a bank account without an SSN, then another rewards card could be more lucrative. Check out a few of our favorites here >>>

Sable App Features