What Is Citizens Bank, and Are Its Credit Cards Right for You?
Key Takeaways
Citizen Bank's credit cards are mostly solid products, but they all lack welcome offers.
Article Overview
Quick insights and key information
6 min read
Estimated completion
investment
Article classification
July 28, 2025
08:59 PM
NerdWallet
Original publisher
What's particularly noteworthy is From an analytical perspective, In June 2025, Citizens Bank completely overhauled its suite of personal credit cards
On the other hand, It closed applications to three of its existing credit cards and launched five new ones
The cards are mostly solid ducts, but they all lack welcome offers, which can be worth hundreds of dollars on other credit cards, amid market uncertainty
However, And while you don’t need to be a Citizens Bank member to apply for its credit cards, Citizen Bank’s limited foot could be a potential drawback (something worth watching)
Moreover, As of 2025, it operated branches in only 14 states and the District of Columbia
Here’s an overview of credit cards from Citizens Bank
Need a new credit card
Just answer a few simple questions and we'll match you with the best cards for you, in minutes (which is quite significant)
Use the QuizTerms and conditions apply (this bears monitoring)
Credit ducts subject to lender apval
Citizens Amp MastercardFor those looking to build or rebuild their credit, the Citizens Amp credit card is a terrific option, in today's market environment
However, There’s no credit score requirement to get the card, and you don’t have to put down a security deposit
Furthermore, The Citizens Amp card doesn’t charge an annual fee nor a penalty APR if you happen to miss a few payments, in today's market environment
However, you’ll want to make as many on-time payments as possible, if you can: Citizens Bank says good credit habits can qualify you for a credit limit increase or duct upgrade in as little as six months
Moreover, » MORE: Best credit cards for bad creditCitizens Spring World MastercardNerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team
The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more
Learn MoreCitizen Bank’s only balance transfer option, the $0-annual-fee Citizens Spring card, has a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for the first 18 billing cycles (as of this writing)
Furthermore, The card charges a balance transfer fee of $10 or 5% of the transfer amount, in today's market environment
A no-interest period of 18 months is solid, but it’s not the longest on the market
If you need an extra-long runway for paying off debt, the Citi Simplicity® Card offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months and 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months, and then the APR of 18 (this bears monitoring)
Furthermore, However, 99% Variable APR
Plus, its balance transfer fee is 3% if you initiate the transfer within the first four months of account opening, in light of current trends. » SEE: Best balance transfer credit cardsCitizens Summit World MastercardAs of this writing, the Citizens Summit is the only no-annual-fee card that earns cash back in Citizens Bank’s portfolio
Furthermore, It’s advertised as an “everyday spending” card and earns 3% cash back on dining out and groceries (excluding Walmart and some superstores)
Everything else earns 1
Furthermore, Conversely, The Citizens Summit also has a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers for 12 months, amid market uncertainty
NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team
However, Meanwhile, The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more
Learn MoreThose perks make the Citizens Summit a good card, but you can do better
Nevertheless, Nevertheless, The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card also earns an unlimited 3% on dining and at grocery stores, plus the same rate on entertainment and select ing services
Its 0% intro APR period is superior, too: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19 (fascinating analysis). 24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies, in today's financial world
Finally, the Savor card, un the Citizens Summit, has a welcome offer: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Of course, dining and groceries won’t be top spending for everyone
Meanwhile, If that’s the case, check out our list of best credit cards for everyday spending
Or, consider a card that earns 2% cash back on all purchases (noteworthy indeed)
Citizens Summit Reserve World Elite MastercardThe Summit Reserve credit card boasts the most perks compared with the others in Citizens Bank’s portfolio — and it has a $295 annual fee to match
Additionally, Furthermore, You can whittle that number down to $95 if you have a Citizens Quest checking account (which is free to open), or all the way to $0 if you have a Citizens Private Client or Private Bank checking account, amid market uncertainty
Private Client checking requires a $200,000 monthly combined balance across Citizens Bank deposit and investment accounts (quite telling), given the current landscape
Private Bank members must have a multimillion-dollar net worth
However, The Summit Reserve’s benefits include the ing:NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team
The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more
Conversely, Learn MoreUnlimited 3% cash back on dining, groceries, entertainment and ing, and an unlimited 1
On the other hand, 5% on everything else, in light of current trends
No foreign transaction fees
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every four years, in this volatile climate
Meanwhile, Priority Pass Digital Lounge membership, plus four free visits per year, in today's market environment
After that, each visit costs $35 for members and their guests
Nevertheless, Up to $120 in annual travel statement credits
For every month you spend $10 or more on eligible travel purchases per month, you’ll receive a $10 statement credit
Up to $120 in annual Lyft credits
On the other hand, For every month you spend $25 or more on Lyft rides, you’ll receive a $10 statement credit
Lyft credits expire Jan
By using the Summit Reserve’s travel credits and free lounge visits, you’ll defray that $295 annual fee
Nevertheless, If you’re willing to pay a little more, though, you can find even more rewarding premium travel cards
For a $395 annual fee, you can enjoy the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and its many perks: a $300 annual travel credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel, access to Capital One lounges, cell phone insurance and a valuable welcome offer
On the other hand, 🤓Nerdy TipCitizens Bank offers a fifth card, the Citizens Summit Reserve, which is available for Citizens Private Bank clients only (noteworthy indeed)
To become a Private Bank member, you must have a net worth of $10 million or more, or more than $5 million in liquid assets, in this volatile climate
Credit cards no longer available to new applicantsThe ing credit cards are closed to new applicants as of June 12, 2025, amid market uncertainty
Moreover, However, existing cardholders may continue to use their cards
Citizens Bank Cash Back Plus World Mastercard
Citizens Private Client World Elite Mastercard
What the re reveals is authorJae BrattonJae is a writer for the credit cards team at NerdWallet (this bears monitoring), given the current landscape
Her writing has been published in newspapers, blogs and an academic journal
Moreover, See full bio.
Related Articles
More insights from FinancialBooklet