How to Pay Your First Premier Bank Credit Card
Where and how to send your First Premier Bank payment
First Premier Bank accepts credit card payments through three main routes: online through their website or mobile app, by phone, or by mail. The online method is fastest and most common — you log into your account, enter the amount, and the payment posts within one business day. Phone payments go through their customer service line and work the same way, though you'll speak to a representative. Mail payments take seven to ten business days to arrive and post, so plan ahead if you use this method.
The mailing address for payments appears on your statement and in your online account. Do not send payment to the corporate headquarters; use only the address listed on your bill. First Premier Bank processes payments through an automated system, and mail sent to the wrong address delays posting by weeks.
Your payment due date appears on every statement and in your online account under "Account Details" or "Billing Information." Payments received after 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date are treated as late. If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, First Premier Bank moves it to the next business day, but this is automatic — you don't need to request it.
Key Takeaways
- Online and phone payments post within one business day; mail payments take seven to ten days, so mail should be sent at least two weeks before your due date.
- Your payment due date is listed on your statement and in your online account, and payments received after 5 p.m. Eastern Time on that date are marked late.
- Late payments trigger a fee (the amount varies by your card terms) and are reported to credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score.
- If you miss a payment, contact First Premier Bank immediately — some cardholders can have a single late fee waived if they call within 30 days and have a clean payment history.
- Setting up automatic payments through your bank account prevents missed due dates and removes the need to remember to pay each month.
What happens if your payment is late
A payment is late the day after your due date passes. First Premier Bank charges a late fee, which is disclosed in your card agreement and varies depending on your specific card product. The fee is added to your balance immediately, and you'll see it on your next statement.
More damaging than the fee itself is the credit reporting. First Premier Bank reports late payments to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — once a payment is 30 days past due. A 30-day late mark stays on your credit report for seven years and can lower your credit score by 100 points or more, depending on your current score and payment history. This affects your ability to borrow money, rent an apartment, or even get hired for some jobs.
If you miss a payment, call First Premier Bank's customer service line immediately. Some cardholders with no previous late payments can have a single late fee waived if they call within 30 days and bring the account current. This is not may provide, but it's worth asking. Paying the full amount owed stops additional fees and prevents the account from moving to collections.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates
Automatic payments are the simplest way to ensure you never miss a due date. You can set them up through your First Premier Bank online account or by calling customer service. You'll need your bank account number and routing number (found on the bottom left of your checks or through your bank's website).
First Premier Bank offers three automatic payment options: pay the full statement balance, pay a fixed amount you choose, or pay the minimum payment. Most people choose to pay the full balance so they don't carry interest charges month to month. The payment is deducted from your bank account on the due date or the business day before, depending on the timing you select.
If your bank account doesn't have enough money on the scheduled payment date, the payment fails and you're charged a non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee by both your bank and First Premier Bank. To avoid this, make sure your checking account has a buffer of at least the payment amount a few days before the due date. You can pause or change automatic payments anytime through your online account.
How ACH transfers work for First Premier Bank payments
Most online and automatic payments from First Premier Bank use the ACH (Automated Clearing House) system, which is how banks move money between accounts electronically. When you set up a payment, First Premier Bank sends an instruction through the ACH network to your bank, which then deducts the money from your account and sends it to First Premier Bank's account.
ACH transfers take one to two business days to complete. This means if you pay online on a Monday, the money leaves your account on Tuesday or Wednesday. During this time, the payment is "in transit" — it's left your bank but hasn't reached First Premier Bank yet. If First Premier Bank's system shows the payment as received before your due date, it counts as on-time, even if the money is still moving through the ACH network.
ACH payments are free and secure. Your bank account information is encrypted, and you can stop a payment up to one business day before it's scheduled to post. After that, the payment has already been sent and can't be recalled through your online account — you'd need to contact First Premier Bank directly to request a reversal, which is rarely granted.
Paying by phone or through the mobile app
First Premier Bank's customer service line accepts credit card payments 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call the number on the back of your card or on your statement. Have your account number and the amount you want to pay ready. The representative will confirm your identity, process the payment, and give you a confirmation number. Write down this number for your records.
Phone payments are treated as ACH transfers and post within one business day. You can pay from any bank account, not just the one linked to your First Premier Bank account. There is no fee for phone payments.
The First Premier Bank mobile app (available on iOS and Android) allows you to pay directly from the app using the same bank account information. Payments made through the app post the same way as online payments — within one business day. The app also shows your current balance, due date, and payment history in one place, making it easier to stay on top of your account.
Understanding your statement and payment options
Your First Premier Bank statement lists four key numbers: the current balance (what you owe right now), the statement balance (what you owed at the end of the billing cycle), the minimum payment (the smallest amount you can pay without triggering a late fee), and the due date. The statement balance is what you should pay to avoid interest charges. The minimum payment is usually 1 to 3 percent of your balance and keeps your account in good standing, but paying only the minimum means you'll pay interest on the remaining balance.
Interest on First Premier Bank credit cards is calculated daily and added to your balance monthly. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) is listed in your card agreement and on your statement. If you carry a balance from month to month, you'll pay interest on that balance. Paying the full statement balance each month means you pay no interest.
Your statement also shows all transactions from the billing cycle, any fees charged, and the interest applied. Review this section to catch errors or unauthorized charges. If you see something wrong, contact First Premier Bank within 60 days to dispute it.
What to do if you can't pay the full amount
If you can't pay your full balance by the due date, pay at least the minimum payment to keep your account in good standing and avoid a late fee. The minimum payment is listed on your statement and in your online account. Paying the minimum keeps you current, but you'll owe interest on the remaining balance.
If you're struggling with multiple bills or a temporary hardship, contact First Premier Bank before your due date. Some cardholders can negotiate a temporary payment plan or hardship arrangement, though this is not may provide. First Premier Bank is more likely to work with you if you call before you miss a payment than after.
If you're unable to pay even the minimum, the account will be marked late 30 days after the due date and reported to credit bureaus. At this point, the damage to your credit score has already begun. Paying the account current stops additional late fees and prevents the account from going to collections, but the late mark remains on your credit report for seven years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my First Premier Bank card with a debit card or another credit card?
No. First Premier Bank only accepts payments from a bank account (checking or savings) through ACH transfer, or by phone using the same method. You cannot pay with a debit card, another credit card, or cash. This is standard across most credit card companies because paying a credit card with another credit card creates a cash advance, which carries higher fees and interest rates.
What if I pay online but the payment doesn't show up in my account?
Online payments take one to two business days to post. If you paid on a Friday, the payment won't show until Monday or Tuesday. Check your First Premier Bank account after two business days. If it still hasn't posted, log into your online account and look for a confirmation number from when you made the payment. Call customer service with that number and they can track the payment. Keep the confirmation number until the payment posts.
Can I get a late fee removed if I've never been late before?
Maybe. First Premier Bank sometimes waives a single late fee for cardholders with a clean payment history if you call within 30 days and bring the account current. There's no may provide, but it's worth asking. The worst they can say is no. Don't wait — call as soon as you realize you're late.
Does paying early help my credit score?
Paying early doesn't hurt, but it doesn't directly help your credit score either. Your credit score is based on payment history (whether you pay on time), credit utilization (how much of your limit you're using), and other factors. Paying on time every month is what builds credit. Paying early doesn't change that. However, paying early does reduce your balance, which lowers your credit utilization and can help your score indirectly.
What's the difference between the statement balance and the current balance?
The statement balance is what you owed at the end of your last billing cycle. The current balance includes new charges made after your statement closed. If you pay the statement balance by the due date, you avoid interest on those charges. New charges made after your statement closed will appear on next month's statement. Paying the current balance pays everything you owe right now, including recent charges.