Aven Reviews

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Edited by: Joanna Broder
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Edited by: Jon Bortin

About Aven

Aven is a California-based private banking company that uses technology to evaluate potential customers and pre-qualify them for a credit card backed by a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Its main product is a Visa credit card backed by home equity and issued by Coastal Community Bank. Aven operates within the United States, though availability varies by state.

Pros
  • Low interest rates
  • Funds available quickly
  • No application or appraisal fees
Cons
  • Limited availability by state
  • Credit limit only $100,000 in some states
  • Minimum 620 credit score to qualify

What is Aven?

Aven utilizes technology such as automated valuation models (AVMs) to evaluate applicants’ home equity and creditworthiness. Aven claims this type of technology can simplify the process of accessing and managing home equity funds, promising a quick pre-qualification process.

It offers a home equity-backed credit card option with flexible repayment terms.

Aven is licensed in several states across the U.S. but is unavailable in Hawaii, Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New York and Utah. It restricts credit card limits to  $100,000 in Alaska, Idaho, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming.

How does Aven work?

To apply for an Aven credit card, visit the official Aven website. The process can be as fast as 15 minutes from start to finish and includes these steps:

  1. Check offer: Answer a few simple questions to quickly confirm your identity and home. Checking your offer does not affect your credit score.
  2. Confirm income: Choose a flexible and simple method to verify your income instantly by linking your bank account or submitting pay stubs. For some applicants, this step is automatically completed using the website’s built-in income verification tools.
  3. Schedule digital signing: Once credit approval is granted, you’ll schedule a fully digital document signing with Aven’s connected notary service.

Note: Aven does not operate or offer products in all states. Availability depends on your location.

Aven products

Aven offers a credit card designed to help homeowners access the value of their home equity. The table below details the most important key information. Note, this table is not intended to convey all features, benefits or requirements and is accurate as of the time of publishing.

Aven credit card features

Aven fees

Aven boasts a straightforward fee structure for its products, claiming to focus on minimizing costs for its customers.

For the Aven card, there are no annual, origination or appraisal fees associated with obtaining the card. However, there is a 2.5% transfer fee for cash withdrawals to a bank account and balance transfers from other high-interest debts.

Customers should be aware of these fees and read documents closely when considering their options, as they can affect the overall cost of borrowing against their home equity.

Is Aven legit?

Yes, Aven Financial, Inc. is a legitimate financial technology company based in California. It is registered with the NMLS (#2042345) and holds state-level licenses to operate in most states, though not all. Aven offers a home equity-backed credit card, combining elements of HELOCs with the convenience of a revolving credit line.

Aven partners with Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC, to issue its Visa credit cards. Its technology-based underwriting helps streamline applications and accelerate funding decisions. Aven also states that it uses confidentiality agreements and security measures to protect customer data.

Borrowers seeking a flexible alternative to traditional HELOCs may find Aven appealing due to its digital-first platform and no-fee structure.

Aven FAQ

Can you take out cash with an Aven card?

Yes, you can transfer funds from your Aven card to your linked bank account. This gives you access to cash from your home equity line of credit. A 2.5% transfer fee applies.

Does Aven have fees?

Aven has minimal fees associated with its products. There are no application, appraisal or annual fees for the Aven card. However, a $29 late payment fee may be assessed on the Aven card.

How much home equity do you need for Aven?

Aven generally requires that your total loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, including the HELOC, does not exceed 89%. This means you must have enough equity in your home so that your combined mortgage and Aven line of credit remains below 89% of your home’s value.

Does Aven require proof of income?

Yes, Aven may require proof of income as part of the application process. It utilizes various sources for automatic income verification, but some applicants might need to manually upload proof of income or connect their bank account.

Where is Aven available?

Aven operates throughout most of the U.S., but it’s not available in Hawaii, Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New York or Utah.

Still have questions?

Aven Reviews

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    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
    Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedLoan ProcessTimeliness

    Reviewed April 13, 2026

    One of the weirdest and shadiest experiences I’ve ever had. We were approved same day with credit scores of 830 and 819. We scheduled notary closing and while cumbersome we finished up. Then we received our cards. A few days later I got an email from some guy named Jarryd and he told me they’d like to have all the paperwork from our previous mortgage and home equity loans over the past 26 years. I asked why and he said to verify there are no open liens on the home. I informed him that could easily be found on credit etc but they insisted. So I closed the application. My advice stick with a traditional lender with real and normal customer service and defined processes. This company is just weird and shady. Avoid!

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      Customer ServiceSales & MarketingLoan ProcessRates

      Reviewed March 26, 2026

      Very shady company. They promised $250 if they can't beat your existing HELOC rate. I applied, and the rate they offered me was 5.5% higher than my existing rate. I submitted my statement to prove to them that my existing rate is a lot lower than what they're offering me. Their response was that my HELOC loan and rate is from 2022!! What a bogus company and shady false advertisement!

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      Sales & MarketingPriceStaffBillingRatesHonesty & Transparency

      Reviewed March 14, 2026

      90% of the stuff you do with Aven is online. The other 10% is done with friendly, personable folks. For me it went mostly smooth even though I didn't activate my card until six week after I got it. Aven offers a standard credit card and they offer a different card with lower rates that's secured by your home equity. That's a BAD MOVE if you're not financially responsible and very diligent about reading the fine print. Swiping a card (and risking getting skimmed) that can cost your the roof over your head is risky at best.

      Now if you got that card instead of a HELOC it could save you thousands in closing costs... if you were getting a HELOC to begin with. None of that matters to their sales department though. They are VERY pushy about the upgrade. I had to send numerous messages to get them to stop, they finally did when I told them I wouldn't use the card at all until 30 days after the spam stopped. I made good on that promise too. I have stellar credit and honestly just got their regular card because it's made of metal. I just wish they'd sent me a shopping cart and a cardboard box to live in in case I ever did decide to get the "upgraded" card. In future I may consider it, but I think it would be too tempting to spend my house into dust. I have checked "Not Recommended" not because Aven is bad, but because their upgraded card is one heck of a risk.

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      Customer ServiceBillingLoan ProcessRates

      Reviewed Feb. 28, 2026

      I just wanted a personal loan to ditch SoFi and get a better interest rate. Went with AVEN for a better rate. Didn't realize the whole amount would be on their credit card! It tanked my credit score by about 150 points! So lesson learned NEVER take a loan from a company that offers what they call a cash-out. It puts the card at 100 percent credit usage and It will TANK your credit score. IT AFFECTS YOUR CREDIT USAGE PERCENT BIG TIME! and KILLs your credit score...

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      Customer ServiceOnline & AppBilling

      Reviewed Feb. 11, 2026

      For the Aven Visa card account, neither the web site nor the cell phone app provide any way to download transaction history for the previous year to assist with income tax preparation. Monthly statements may be downloaded but only as pdf files. In general, the web site and the cell phone app provide "bare bones" functionality compared to other credit card sites.

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      Customer ServiceTechSales & MarketingRefunds & PayoutsStaffBillingTimeliness

      Reviewed Jan. 16, 2026

      Updated on 01/17/2026: Customer support finally responded to an email 4 days later, hey, that's better than nothing. I thought they ghosted me. We will see if they actually follow through. This kind of response would be a big problem in a case of identity theft or fraud when you need help quickly.

      Original Review: I've had the card for a few months now. No problems with the card yet but I don't trust the business. The Sales rep was unprofessional. They do not follow up on questions or requests. As others have said there is no reliable customer support. I have sent four requests for assistance and never heard a word. They sent out a marketing email from a founder, Ryan, offering an Amazon gift card for a short conversation with him about the home equity application I never finished (I just have the rewards card).

      The representative that called me was not Ryan. We talked about the HELOC and said he'd send the advertised gift card to my email and thanked me for my time. Well, they disappeared after that. Sent me a text with a link to reply to, no response. Replied to three emails, one with a specific link to that sales rep for direct reply, no response. Sent an email to customer support asking for follow up, no response. Very unprofessional, and for a $25 gift card??

      What does this say about their leadership, their integrity?...and they want me to open a home equity line of credit with them?? I don't trust Aven. I am concerned that if I ever had a problem they would not stand behind or support their client/customer. I'm worried about having any line of credit with them, I'm worried about the safety and integrity of my personal information they have. I have no reason to assume the worst of them but they certainly do not inspire confidence. I'll keep the credit card for a little longer. I curious where this will go but I intend to close the account in the near future.

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      Customer ServiceTech

      Reviewed Dec. 4, 2025

      The worst customer services ever. They do not know what they are doing. The fee was much more that originally. I took almost 3 months (too many cooks doing the application). Online notary. I wished I never did this. I am deaf and they keep calling me voice repeatedly. I complaint about this. I have video replay every time (more than 20 times) they say they fixed.

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      Price

      Reviewed Dec. 3, 2025

      So lame Aven limits existing customers to 1.5 cash back but someone new can get cards with 2 % cash back and 6% on groceries. I guess you never learned it's cheaper to keep a customer than get a new one. I'M LOOKING FOR A NEW CARD. THIS IS A JOKE.

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      Customer ServicePricePunctuality & SpeedBilling

      Reviewed Nov. 26, 2025

      I had just opened the account and they were so easy to talk to at that time. As soon as it appeared online in November, I made my November payment bc I wanted to get it done. Then, in November, they sent me a text that my November payment was due, which I had already made. They said I paid too early! I called and explained 3 times. They said they would get back, which they didn't. I paid anyway bc I didn't want a late pay, which was actually an early pay and a double pay. They are horrible. GO WITH ANYONE ELSE YOU CAN FIND!!

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      Customer ServicePricePunctuality & SpeedRefunds & PayoutsStaffLoan ProcessTransparency

      Reviewed Sept. 19, 2025

      RUN AWAY - DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY.

      1- You are not able to pick up the phone and call to ask questions or connect with a customer service rep. You must schedule a call with them, and then they will call you.
      2- They steal your money. There are several HELOC companies that do not charge origination fees. I borrowed $100,000, and once the money was deposited into my account, they charged me $5,000 to do so, so I only had $95,000 in my bank account, but suddenly owed them $100,400. I was charged $5400 just to transfer the money into my bank account.

      3- They are NOT transparent. I got quotes with several HELOC companies. They have a quick loan process, which inclined me to use their service, but they were NOT clear about the origination fees. Had I understood clearly about the $5000 origination fees, I absolutely would not have used them for my HELOC loan. I ended up paying the money back a week ago, and they are still adding on $400 in charges right now that I still owe. I am taking this to the BBB.

      I was cheated and stolen from this financial institution, I warn you, STAY AWAY!!!

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      Aven Company Information

      Company Name:
      Aven
      Address:
      548 Market St. #99555
      City:
      San Francisco
      State/Province:
      CA
      Postal Code:
      94104-5401
      Country:
      United States
      Website:
      www.aven.com