What Is Celtic Bank? High-Interest Credit Cards & Lawsuit Defense

By Talk About Debt Team
Reviewed by Ben Jackson
Last Updated: February 16, 2026
5 min read
The Bottom Line

Celtic Bank issues high-interest credit cards targeting people with poor credit, charging APRs up to 29.99% plus annual fees up to $125. Better credit-building alternatives exist that won't trap you in expensive debt cycles. If Celtic Bank sues you for unpaid debt, respond quickly within your state's deadline to avoid automatic judgment.

Respond to Celtic Bank

Celtic Bank operates from Salt Lake City, Utah. The company offers small business financing and credit cards.

Most of their credit cards target people with poor credit scores. These cards come with extremely high interest rates and fees.

Celtic Bank Sued You? Respond Before Your Deadline

Celtic Bank lawsuits require answers within 14-30 days depending on your state. Missing your deadline means automatic judgment against you. Our partner Solo helps you respond properly and negotiate settlements.

Answer Celtic Bank Now

You need to know what Celtic Bank offers before considering their services. Understanding their practices helps you avoid expensive mistakes.

Celtic Bank’s Business Lending Services

Celtic Bank focuses primarily on small business loans. Their website highlights SBA 7(a), SBA 504, equipment leasing, and construction financing.

The SBA loans appear legitimate with reasonable rates. Federal requirements keep these interest rates low and competitive.

However, Celtic Bank reveals little about their non-governmental business loans. No information exists about interest rate caps or fee structures.

You must apply to discover what rates they’ll charge. Our partner Solo can help if Celtic Bank later sues you over unpaid business debt.

Celtic Bank’s Consumer Credit Cards

Celtic Bank issues three main credit cards for consumers. Other companies actually service these Mastercards.

The cards target people with bad credit. Interest rates and fees make them expensive options.

Indigo Platinum Mastercard Details

  • Credit limits: $300 to $2,000
  • APR: 24.9% to 29.9%
  • Annual fees: $0 to $125

Reflex Mastercard Terms

  • Credit limits: $300 to $1,000
  • APR: 24.99% to 29.99%
  • Annual fees: $75 to $99

Surge Mastercard Specifications

  • Credit limits: $300 to $1,000
  • APR: 24.99% to 29.99%
  • Annual fees: $69 to $99

Predatory lenders have used high interest rates for decades. They capitalize on consumers with poor credit scores.

People with good credit would never accept these terms. Many cardholders find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt.

BBB Rating and Customer Complaints

Celtic Bank lacks Better Business Bureau accreditation. Most reputable banks maintain BBB accreditation and good ratings.

As of April 2023, 182 complaints existed against Celtic Bank. The BBB website displays only three complaints publicly.

Customer reviews paint a concerning picture. Celtic Bank averages just 1.46 out of 5 stars from 28 reviews.

Customers complain most about unexpected annual fees. Many report immediate charges when opening accounts.

High interest rates drain account value quickly. Small credit limits become even smaller after fees.

Already Have a Celtic Bank Credit Card?

Monitor your interest charges and fees carefully. Track every charge that appears on your statement.

Cards with limits under $500 provide minimal value. Annual fees consume a large percentage of available credit.

Focus on rebuilding your credit score instead. Better credit cards become available as your score improves.

Closing the account may temporarily hurt your credit. Opening it already dinged your score, though.

Should You Apply for a Celtic Bank Card?

Avoid applying for Celtic Bank consumer credit cards. Better options exist for building credit.

High interest and fees make these cards nearly useless. Your credit score drops when opening new accounts.

Consider this example: A college student needs a new computer. She applies for an Indigo Platinum Mastercard with a $300 limit.

Celtic Bank immediately charges a $99 annual fee. She now has only $201 available for her computer purchase.

The application dropped her credit score 30 points. Other lenders now reject her applications.

Better alternatives exist for people building credit. Secured credit cards offer more reasonable terms.

Alternatives to High-Interest Credit Cards

Many consumers apply for these cards needing immediate cash. Predatory lenders count on this desperation.

Save a portion of your income instead. Purchase items outright when you have enough money.

Secured credit cards provide safer credit-building options. These cards require a deposit that becomes your credit limit.

Your deposit protects the lender from risk. Lower risk means lower interest rates and fees.

Authorized user status on someone else’s card helps too. Their positive payment history benefits your credit score.

Celtic Bank Lawsuit Defense Options

Celtic Bank may sue you for unpaid credit card debt. Debt collection lawsuits require proper legal responses.

You must respond within your state’s deadline. Missing this deadline results in automatic judgment against you.

Our partner Solo helps you respond to Celtic Bank lawsuits. The service creates proper legal responses to debt collection complaints.

You can also negotiate settlements for less than you owe. Many creditors accept reduced amounts to close accounts.

Settlement negotiations work best before court judgments. Act quickly when you receive a lawsuit summons.

Building Credit Without Predatory Cards

Your credit score determines your financial opportunities. Poor credit limits your access to affordable loans.

Predatory lenders exploit people with bad credit. High-interest cards trap you in expensive debt cycles.

Focus on legitimate credit-building strategies instead. Pay existing bills on time every month.

Reduce your overall debt balances gradually. Keep credit card balances below 30% of limits.

Check your credit report for errors regularly. Dispute inaccurate information with credit bureaus.

Time and responsible behavior improve credit scores. Patience beats accepting predatory lending terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit cards does Celtic Bank issue?

Celtic Bank issues three main credit cards: Indigo Platinum Mastercard, Reflex Mastercard, and Surge Mastercard. All three target consumers with poor credit and charge APRs between 24.9% and 29.99% with annual fees ranging from $0 to $125. Credit limits typically range from $300 to $2,000 depending on the card.

How do I respond to a Celtic Bank lawsuit?

You must file a written Answer with the court within your state's deadline, typically 14 to 30 days after receiving the summons. Your Answer should respond to each allegation in the complaint. Our partner Solo helps you create proper legal responses to Celtic Bank debt collection lawsuits and can assist with settlement negotiations.

Can I settle Celtic Bank debt for less than I owe?

Yes, Celtic Bank may accept a settlement for less than the full balance. Debt collectors often agree to reduced amounts to close accounts and avoid lengthy court proceedings. Settlement negotiations work best before a court judgment is entered against you. Act quickly when you receive a lawsuit summons.

What is Celtic Bank's BBB rating?

Celtic Bank has no BBB accreditation and averages only 1.46 out of 5 stars from 28 customer reviews. As of April 2023, 182 complaints existed against the company. Most customers complain about high interest rates and unexpected annual fees charged immediately upon opening accounts.

What are better alternatives to Celtic Bank credit cards?

Secured credit cards offer better terms for building credit. These cards require a deposit that becomes your credit limit, resulting in lower interest rates and fees. Becoming an authorized user on someone else's card also helps build credit. Focus on paying existing bills on time and reducing overall debt balances.