Zenith Bank’s credit card is aimed at customers who want revolving credit, travel benefits, and digital security. This guide explains the features, fees, and interest, eligibility requirements (including the collateral rule), application steps, and where to get help.
Card Lineup and Key Features
Zenith offers Classic, Gold, Platinum, and Visa Infinite credit cards on the Visa or Mastercard networks. Cards are available in NGN and USD, support POS, online, and ATM transactions, and carry protections like 3-D secure and zero lost-card liability.
The bank also advertises up to 45 days of interest-free spending on POS transactions when you pay within the cycle. Availability and terms are subject to the issuer’s and the card network’s program rules.
Premium Tiers and Travel Perks
Gold includes access to global service support, emergency card replacement/cash disbursement, and airport lounge access via program partners. Platinum builds on Gold with purchase protection, extended warranty, concierge services, expedited dispute resolution, and access to 800+ lounges.
Zenith states that premium cardholders have access to travel insurance and related travel benefits, which are commonly bundled with higher-tier cards.
Fees and Interest You Should Know
Zenith publishes a fee table in its credit-card application pack.
- Card issuance: ₦1,000 / $3 (Classic, Gold, Platinum; Visa Infinite shows $3).
- Premium card membership (annual): Gold ₦24,000 / $50; Platinum ₦49,800 / $120; Visa Infinite $2,000.
- Card maintenance: ₦53.75 per quarter / $10 per year (as listed in the bank’s schedule).
- Card renewal: ₦1,000 / $3.
- Late payment fee (by tier): Classic ₦39,000 / $30; Gold ₦65,000 / $50; Platinum ₦97,500 / $75; Infinite ₦130,000 / $100.
On interest, the bank indicates two important points: The FAQ states the interest rate on a credit card is 4.5% of total outstanding (commonly interpreted as a monthly rate applied to unpaid balances).
The cardholder terms say the bank may charge interest on any unpaid balance at the prevailing bank rate; interest accrues from the settlement date on balances.
Taken together, this means POS purchases can be interest-free within the grace period, but unpaid balances and cash withdrawals draw interest and fees.
Always check your statement and the current schedule. Zenith’s general “Guide to Charges” also notes that credit-card interest charges are negotiable.
Eligibility and What The Bank Requires
To be eligible, you typically need an existing relationship with the bank. A current account (for NGN settlement) and/or a domiciliary (USD) account for dollar cards.
Creditworthiness per Zenith’s internal scoring and documentation. A completed credit-card application form and a valid ID/BVN.
Collateralization
The official terms state that the credit-card account may be secured by collateral acceptable to the bank, including cash
The customer must open and fund an account in the agreed-upon currency, up to the agreed-upon minimum credit balance, for as long as they hold the card.
In practice, many applicants are asked to provide 100% cash collateral for the requested limit (a secured credit card structure).
How to Get Zenith Bank Credit Card
Ensure you have a current account (NGN) and, if applying for a USD card, a domiciliary USD account for settlement.
If you’re new to Zenith, you’ll need to establish the relationship first.
Select your card and currency. Choose between Classic, Gold, Platinum, or Visa Infinite, and NGN or USD. Review the fee table and benefits.
Discuss the collateral requirement with your branch/relationship manager. Be ready to fund the collateral account in the card currency for the full requested limit.
Complete the Zenith Bank Credit Card Application Form
Select card network/tier, indicate desired limit, and choose your settlement method. Attach ID and provide BVN.
The bank will run its credit scoring and verify documents/BVN. For corporate cards, a letter of introduction is required.
Once you’ve met the requirements, the card is typically available within five working days. You’ll receive your card and PIN per the bank’s instructions.
Using and Repaying The Zenith Credit Card
The credit-card cycle runs from the 16th of the month to the 15th of the next month.
Minimum-due settlement (based on your chosen percentage) is processed via direct debit, with the settlement period from the 30th of every month.
You can withdraw up to 100% of your credit limit at ATMs, but cash-advance fees and interest from the withdrawal date apply. Consider this only for emergencies.
They issue both NGN and foreign-currency cards and support international transactions (availability/limits are subject to bank and regulatory policies).
Quick Comparison
Here’s how Zenith Bank’s credit cards stack up against major Nigerian competitors on the things that matter most: interest, grace period, and collateral.
| Bank | Typical monthly interest (POS/retail) | Grace period | Collateral policy (headline) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zenith Bank | 4.5% of outstanding | Cycle disclosed; interest on unpaid from settlement; cash advances accrue from withdrawal | 100% cash collateral required |
| Access Bank | 3.5% | Not specified on card page | Not stated |
| FirstBank (Naira Credit Card) | 2.5% (Naira CC FAQ); another page cites 3.5% all-in (interest+insurance) on unpaid | Not stated | Not stated on Naira CC page |
| FirstBank (Visa Infinite) | 3% monthly | Not stated; premium product | Collateral up to 120% of limit |
| UBA (Naira Credit Card) | 2.5% POS/Web; 3% cash advances | 45 days on POS/Web with full repayment | Not stated |
| Stanbic IBTC | 2.5%–3% (by card/currency) | Up to 55 days | Not stated |
| Standard Chartered Nigeria | ~2.35–2.50% (tariff guides) | Up to 50 days | Income-based eligibility (min salary thresholds) |
| FCMB | Secured: ~2.5–3%; Unsecured: ~3.5–4% (varies by page/variant) | Not stated | Both secured & unsecured variants |
Contact Details
You can apply and pick up your card at any branch.
Head Office Address: Plot 84, Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Phone: +234 (1) 278-7000 and 0700-ZENITHBANK (0700-936-4842265).
Email: [email protected] (general) and [email protected] (card support).
Conclusion
Zenith Bank’s credit-card range offers global acceptance, digital security, and travel-tier perks, with the flexibility to settle in naira or dollars.
Choose a tier, fund collateral, submit the form, and receive your card in about five working days once approved.
Always confirm the current schedule of charges and program benefits at your branch before signing.
Disclaimer: Information in this article is summarized from Zenith Bank’s public webpages, FAQs, and application documents and is provided for general guidance only. Rates, fees, benefits, eligibility, collateral requirements, and usage limits can change without notice and may vary by customer profile. Always review the latest documents and terms at a branch or via official channels and obtain individualized advice before applying.
