What Is First Electronic Bank, and Are Its Credit Cards Right for You?

Salt Lake City-based First Electronic Bank partners with several financial technology companies — including Cardless and Imprint — to issue a wide variety of credit cards. Among First Electronic Bank’s portfolio are a collection of store cards and co-branded travel cards.

Whether their cards are a good fit for you can depend on what you’re looking for. The credit-building card charges high fees, but the co-branded cards may benefit anyone who's loyal to those brands.

Here’s a closer look at First Electronic Bank’s credit cards.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best starter credit cards for no credit

For travel

Airline cards

First Electronic Bank issues the Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature card, in partnership with Imprint. The $99-annual-fee card offers a sign-up bonus, as well as an elevated rewards rate for Turkish Airlines purchases, dining, groceries, entertainment and lodging. But it lacks other travel perks, like airport lounge access or a credit toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

The bank also partners with Cardless on its portfolio of co-branded airline cards for other international carriers, including:

• The Avianca lifemiles American Express Elite Card ($249 annual fee) and Avianca lifemiles American Express Card ($99 annual fee). See more about these cards here.

• The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card ($499 annual fee) and Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card ($99 annual fee). See more about these cards here.

• The TAP Miles&Go American Express Credit Card ($79 annual fee).

• The LATAM Airlines World Elite Mastercard ($99 annual fee) and LATAM Airlines Mastercard ($0 annual fee). See more about these cards here.

Ultimately, these are relatively niche products. They could be decent picks for loyalists who often fly internationally, but First Electronic Bank doesn't issue any co-branded airline cards for major domestic carriers.

However, many of the international airlines above are already partners for premium travel cards from major issuers like Chase, Citi and Wells Fargo. So you may already have the ability to earn miles with these carriers, indirectly, through an existing card in your wallet.

» MORE: What is Cardless, and are its credit cards right for you?

Hotel cards

Imprint’s World of Westgate Mastercard and Holiday Inn Club Vacations World Mastercard are issued by First Electronic Bank. Both earn rewards on resort purchases, including the mortgage for a timeshare.

Of course, it's an understatement to say that timeshares aren't for everyone and can be very costly. As with First Electronic Bank's co-branded airline cards, these are niche products aimed at a very specific audience.

Note that the bank also issues Booking.com’s Genius Rewards Credit Card, which is not tied to a specific airline or hotel but is tied to the Booking.com travel site. The $0-annual-fee card earns lucrative rewards for purchases made through the online travel platform and decent rewards for non-brand spending like dining, gas and groceries. However, rewards are earned in the form of travel credits that can only be redeemed for purchases on Booking.com.

» MORE: What is Imprint, and are its credit cards right for you?

For shopping

Cardless’ Simon American Express Card, also issued by First Electronic Bank, has a $0 annual fee and earns 5% cash back at Simon Centers, which include Simon Malls, Mills and Premium Outlets (on up to $10,000 in spending per year). You can also earn 10% cash back on gift cards purchased through the Cardless app. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. You must use your card five times per billing cycle to earn rewards.

Imprint has a larger collection of store cards issued by First Electronic Bank, including:

• The H-E-B credit card ($0 annual fee).

• The Raktuen American Express Card ($0 annual fee).

• The Eddie Bauer World Mastercard ($0 annual fee).

• The Brooks Brothers
World Mastercard® ($0 annual fee).

• The Horizon Hobby Visa credit card ($0 annual fee).

» MORE: NerdWallet’s best store credit cards

Is a First Electronic Bank credit card right for you?