1st Century Bank, National Association
2 cardholder agreements · 257 KB
- Starting score100
- Forced arbitration (opt-out available)-12
- Class-action waiver-12
- Change-anytime clause-8
- Penalty APR-6
- Fair Terms score62 · grade C
See the exact wording behind each below.
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You can opt out of this issuer's forced arbitration
deadline ≈ 45 days1st Century Bank, National Association's agreement lets you reject arbitration and keep your right to sue — usually within 45 days of opening the account. You have to send it in writing. Here's the language from the filed agreement:
“…WITH LIMITED EXCEPTIONS, THIS ARBITRATION PROVISION ALLOWS EITHER PARTY TO REQUIRE THAT ANY CLAIM (AS DEFINED ABOVE) BE RESOLVED BY BINDING ARBITRATION. YOU MAY REJECT THE ARBITRATION PROVISION BY SENDING US WRITTEN NOTICE WITHIN 45 DAYS AFTER YOUR FIRST PURCHASE, AS DESCRIBED BELOW. ARBITRATION REPLACES THE RIGHT TO GO TO COURT AND TO HAVE A CLAIM DETERMINED BY A JURY. OTHER RIGHTS YOU MAY HAVE IN COURT, SUCH AS DISCOVERY OR APPEAL RIGHTS, MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE OR MAY BE MORE LIMITED IN ARBITRATION. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BELOW, THOSE OTHER RIGHTS ARE WAIVED. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO THESE TWO THINGS (IN COURT OR IN ARBITRATION): (1) BRING A CLAIM AS A CLASS ACTION OR IN A REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY; OR (2) PARTICIPATE IN A CLAIM AS A CLASS MEMBER. Except as provided below: (1) You may unilaterally choose to have any Claim that We bring against You resolved through binding arbitration; and (2…”
Read the exact mailing address in the clause above, then use our opt-out letter template and full guide →
Contract X-Ray — what's buried in the fine print
4 red flags · 2 filed docsDetected in the CFPB-filed cardholder agreements from 1st Century Bank, National Association. Verbatim quotes below — CardSleuth flags the language; this isn't legal advice.
You give up your right to sue in court — disputes are pushed into private arbitration.
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“…nt. Please read the Agreement, the Disclosure, and Your other Account Documents carefully and retain for future reference. This Agreement contains an arbitration provision (including a class action arbitration waiver). It is also important that You read the entire Claims and Arbitration of Disputes section carefully. TH…”
You can't band together with other cardholders in a class action.
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“…that have otherwise participated in the marketing or servicing of Your Account. Any Claim or Claims brought by or on behalf of a class, brought in a representative capacity or otherwise on a class basis, or brought in the form of a private attorney general action are referred to as Class Proceedings regardless of whether…”
The issuer reserves the right to change your rates, fees and terms at any time.
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“…rminated or suspended. 6. CHANGES IN TERMS AND OUR RIGHTS IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING CHANGES IN TERMS: Subject to applicable law, We may unilaterally change the Annual Percentage Rates, fees and other terms of this Agreement at any time, including after Your Account is closed (regardless of the reason You or We closed the Account). This includes modifications, deletions of existing t…”
Slip up and your rate can jump to a much higher penalty APR.
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“…Index, as described in the Disclosure. The daily periodic rate is 1/365th (1/366th during leap years) of the Annual Percentage Rate. INCREASED AND/OR PENALTY RATES: If We do not receive Your required Minimum Payment by its due date, You exceed Your Credit Limit, or You make a payment to Us that is dishonored or…”
The contract lets you reject arbitration (usually within a short deadline) and keep your right to sue.
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“…AREFULLY: WITH LIMITED EXCEPTIONS, THIS ARBITRATION PROVISION ALLOWS EITHER PARTY TO REQUIRE THAT ANY CLAIM (AS DEFINED ABOVE) BE RESOLVED BY BINDING ARBITRATION. YOU MAY REJECT THE ARBITRATION PROVISION BY SENDING US WRITTEN NOTICE WITHIN 45 DAYS AFTER YOUR FIRST PURCHASE, AS DESCRIBED BELOW. ARBITRATION REPLACES THE RIGHT T…”
Checked & clear: Jury-trial waiver · Deferred interest
Cardholder agreements
Filed with the CFPB in the 2026 Q1 bulk submission. Opens the original PDF.