Ever tried calling a bank and felt like you were shouting into a void? It happens. You’re staring at a credit card statement, seeing a charge that looks totally wrong, and all you want is a human being. Not a robot. Not a loop of elevator music. Just a person. If you’re a cardholder, the first premier bank customer service number is your lifeline, but finding the right one depends entirely on what you’re actually trying to do.
First Premier Bank isn’t your neighborhood branch down the street unless you live in South Dakota. Based in Sioux Falls, they’ve carved out a massive niche in the subprime credit market. They specialize in helping people with "less than stellar" credit scores get back on their feet. Because of that, their phone lines stay busy. Very busy.
The Direct Line You Actually Need
Most people just want the number. Let's get it out of the way. If you have a credit card with them, the primary first premier bank customer service number is 1-800-987-5521. This is the main hub. If you’re calling about a Mastercard or a Visa they issued, this is where you start.
Wait.
There is a catch. If you haven't applied yet but you have one of those "pre-approved" letters sitting on your kitchen table, don't call that number. You’ll want 1-800-958-2811 for applications. It’s a different department. Banks love silos. They put people in boxes so the workflow stays organized, even if it drives you a little crazy switching between extensions.
Why the Wait Times Are Kinda Brutal
Let’s be real for a second. First Premier deals with a high volume of calls because their customer base often faces complex financial situations. We aren't just talking about changing a mailing address. People call because their payments didn't post, or they’re confused about the "program fee" that shows up right when they open the account.
If you call on a Monday morning, you’re gonna wait. It’s the universal law of banking. Everyone realizes they spent too much over the weekend or forgot a bill, and they all dial in at 9:00 AM. If you want to get through faster, try Tuesday or Wednesday mid-afternoon. Honestly, it makes a massive difference.
The bank operates on Central Time. That’s important. If you’re in California and you wake up at 7:00 AM thinking you’re the early bird, remember it’s already 9:00 AM in Sioux Falls. The rush has already started.
Dealing With the Infamous Fees
First Premier is famous—or maybe "notorious" is the better word—for its fee structure. If you look at reviews on sites like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau (BBB), you’ll see a pattern. People get mad about the initial fees.
Here’s how it usually goes: You get a card with a $300 limit. But before you even buy a gallon of milk, your available credit is only $225. Why? Because the bank charged a $75 program fee immediately.
When you call the first premier bank customer service number to complain about this, the agents are trained to point to the fine print. They aren't being mean; they’re just following the script. They’ll tell you that you agreed to these terms when you hit "Apply." To avoid a circular argument that goes nowhere, go into the call knowing exactly what your Cardholder Agreement says. If you have the PDF open on your laptop while you talk to them, you have the upper hand. Knowledge is power, especially when dealing with subprime lenders.
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Lost or Stolen Cards: The 24/7 Reality
Losing a wallet is a top-tier panic moment. It’s that cold sink in your stomach. For lost or stolen cards, the rules change. You can’t wait until business hours.
The bank has a dedicated automated system for this, but if you want to report it through the main first premier bank customer service number, you can usually navigate the IVR (the automated voice) to flag the card as lost. Pro tip: If you can still log into their mobile app or website, "locking" the card is often faster than waiting on a representative.
What About Regular Banking?
It’s easy to forget that First Premier is also a "normal" bank with checking and savings accounts for people in South Dakota. If you aren't calling about a credit card, but rather a standard bank account, the number changes again. You’re looking for 1-800-501-6535.
It’s a different world. The credit card side is a high-speed, high-volume machine. The retail banking side is a bit more traditional. If you call the credit card line asking about a checking account, they’ll just transfer you, and sometimes transfers "drop." It’s better to dial the right one from the jump.
Managing Your Account Without Calling At All
I know this article is about the phone number, but sometimes the best way to use the first premier bank customer service number is to not use it.
The First Premier website and mobile app have gotten better over the last few years. You can:
- Pay your bill (obviously).
- Check your available credit.
- View your statements.
- Enroll in text alerts.
Text alerts are a game changer. Instead of calling to ask "Did my payment go through?" you just wait for the "ping" on your phone. It saves you twenty minutes of hold music.
The "Human" Hack
We’ve all done it. You call, and the robot asks you to "describe in a few words why you’re calling." You say "representative." The robot says "I didn't quite get that." You say "REPRESENTATIVE" louder.
With First Premier, pressing "0" repeatedly sometimes works, but often the system is designed to force you through the identification process first. Have your 16-digit card number or your Social Security number ready. If you don't provide that, the system won't even put you in the queue for a human. It’s a security thing, but also a filtering thing.
What to Do If You Can't Get Through
Sometimes the lines are just slammed. Maybe there was a technical glitch, or maybe it’s the day after a holiday. If you can’t get anyone on the first premier bank customer service number, you have other options.
You can mail them. It’s slow, but it creates a paper trail. If you’re disputing a charge, a written letter sent via certified mail is actually better than a phone call. It’s legal proof. Send it to:
First Premier Bank
PO Box 5524
Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5524
For credit card disputes specifically, there’s a different address. Always check the back of your monthly statement for the "Billing Inquiries" address. That’s the one that matters for legal disputes.
A Quick Word on Scams
This is huge. Never, ever Google a phone number and click the first "sponsored" ad you see. Scammers pay for ads to look like the first premier bank customer service number. They want you to call them so they can "verify" your account by asking for your full SSN and CVV code.
Always look at the URL. If it doesn't end in firstpremier.com or mypremiercard.com, close the tab. The safest place to find the number is on the physical back of your credit card. It’s printed there for a reason.
Understanding the Culture of the Bank
First Premier is owned by T. Denny Sanford. He’s a billionaire who has donated massive amounts to healthcare and research. The bank is a "fee-based" bank. This means they make their money from the fees they charge rather than just the interest.
When you call them, understand that their business model is built on high-risk lending. They expect a certain percentage of people to default. This makes their customer service agents very "by the book." They aren't likely to waive a late fee just because you’ve been a "loyal customer" for six months. They operate on thin margins of risk.
Actionable Steps for a Successful Call
- Check the Clock: Call between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM Central Time on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
- Gather the Goods: Have your card, your ID, and your last statement right in front of you.
- The Script: If you’re calling about a fee, don't get angry. Say, "I noticed this charge, and I'd like to understand how it aligns with my initial agreement." It sounds professional and gets a better response.
- Take Notes: Write down the name of the person you spoke to and the "interaction ID" or reference number. If the issue isn't fixed, you’ll need this later.
- Use the App First: If it’s something simple like checking a balance, use the app. Save the phone lines for the "big stuff."
Managing a credit card from First Premier Bank requires a bit of strategy. They provide a tool for people who have no other options, but that tool comes with a lot of rules. Using the first premier bank customer service number effectively is just part of the game. Stay calm, be prepared, and always double-check the number against the one on your actual card. It’ll save you a lot of stress in the long run.
Key Contact Points at a Glance
For those who just need the quick list without the fluff:
- Main Credit Card Support: 1-800-987-5521
- New Applications: 1-800-958-2811
- Retail/Personal Banking: 1-800-501-6535
- Official Website: www.firstpremier.com
- Credit Card Portal: www.mypremiercard.com
If you find yourself stuck in a loop, remember that you can always request a "supervisor" if the first-line agent can't help. Be polite but firm. It usually works. If you're struggling with debt or the fees are becoming too much, you might also want to look into a non-profit credit counseling service. Sometimes the best way to deal with a bank is to have a professional advocate on your side.
Final thought: If you're calling to close your account, be aware that this can impact your credit score. The "age of credit" matters. Sometimes it's better to keep the account open with a zero balance than to shut it down entirely, but that's a decision only you can make based on your financial goals. Get the facts from the agent, write them down, and take a day to think about it before you pull the trigger.
To maximize your results when calling, ensure your phone's "caller ID" isn't blocked. Many bank systems use your phone number to automatically pull up your file before a human even picks up. If you're calling from a blocked number, you'll likely spend an extra five minutes answering "security questions" just to prove you're you. Save yourself the time and let the system recognize your registered mobile number. Once you're through the automated prompts, stay focused on one specific goal for the call. Trying to solve three different problems on one phone call often leads to confusion and mistakes in their system. One call, one goal—that's the fastest way to get off the phone and back to your life.