topic Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit? in Credit Cards

Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

EaglesFan2006 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:26:15 GMT

Out of curiousity, why would a CC lower the credit limit of a customer? It hasn't happened to me, and I have spotless payment history, but I was searching the web and came across that possibility. I'm wondering, how common is this practice? Does anyone have any experience with it? If so, how drasticly might they cut your limit? And what are the reasons aside from poor payment history?

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

Elcid89 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:31:59 GMT

Many reasons. Lack of usage. Recent opening of new accounts elsewhere. The lender restructuring its risk profile, etc.

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

EaglesFan2006 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:37:40 GMT

Okay...so I'm nervous. I opened up a Citi and Chase card in June. I also have Barclay Card with a high utilization, but I pay the bulk of it off every month. My other CC's are Cap One and they are paid down, and I don't use them...nor do I care too. However, I just financed some furniture and used my Citi card for the down payment...so that card will have high util until I pay it in two weeks. So, could they really cut my CL for that? I didn't even consider this as a possibility. It seems like garbage if you ask me. I haven't done anything wrong since I got those cards, and I have flawless payment history elsewhere.

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

EaglesFan2006 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:41:36 GMT

One more note...since Citi and Chase are both new, would they even be doing account sweeps before the 6 month mark to even consider something like this?

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

creditnocash — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:47:36 GMT

The only one that is inq sensitive is Barclays. But of your using it regularly I won't even think twice.

Unless you append like 4-5 cards at once since you got it.

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

Elcid89 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:49:03 GMT

EaglesFan2006 wrote:
Okay...so I'm nervous. I opened up a Citi and Chase card in June. I also have Barclay Card with a high utilization, but I pay the bulk of it off every month. My other CC's are Cap One and they are paid down, and I don't use them...nor do I care too. However, I just financed some furniture and used my Citi card for the down payment...so that card will have high util until I pay it in two weeks. So, could they really cut my CL for that? I didn't even consider this as a possibility. It seems like garbage if you ask me. I haven't done anything wrong since I got those cards, and I have flawless payment history elsewhere.

I think that you may be worrying yourself to death for no reason. In the odd event that they decreased a limit, which doesn't happen as often as people think, you can always call in and usually get it restored unless your payment history has been bad (there or elsewhere).

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

EaglesFan2006 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:49:04 GMT

I've heard that about Barclay...I'm more concerned with the other two. But I figure the 6 month mark isnt until January, and at point I won't be as worried about util. Does that make sense as far as those two checking accounts before then?

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

creditnocash — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:50:45 GMT

I wouldn't worry about citi or chase. Just keep doing what your doing.

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

Elcid89 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:52:19 GMT

EaglesFan2006 wrote:
I've heard that about Barclay...I'm more concerned with the other two. But I figure the 6 month mark isnt until January, and at point I won't be as worried about util. Does that make sense as far as those two checking accounts before then?

Read previous comment, and try to chill out. You're going to give yourself a stroke.

As long as your utilization doesn't shoot up and STAY up, they could care less. They WANT you to use the cards. If you don't, they make no money. As long as you are utilizing and paying as you described above, I would be surprised if your limits don't increase. They'd certainly stand little chance of decreasing.

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

LS2982 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:56:16 GMT

I agree with Elcid, your worrying for nothing. Keep using your cards and making big payments and you'll be just fine.

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

Koop10010 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:57:57 GMT

Elcid89 wrote:
EaglesFan2006 wrote:
I've heard that about Barclay...I'm more concerned with the other two. But I figure the 6 month mark isnt until January, and at point I won't be as worried about util. Does that make sense as far as those two checking accounts before then?
Read previous comment, and try to chill out. You're going to give yourself a stroke.

As long as your utilization doesn't shoot up and STAY up, they could care less. They WANT you to use the cards. If you don't, they make no money. As long as you are utilizing and paying as you described above, I would be surprised if your limits don't increase. They'd certainly stand little chance of decreasing.

+1 Most of the time that I've heard of limit decreases over the past couple years has been to people who have carried balances for a long time that nearly maxed their cards and then slowly paid them down, so called "balance chasing". For awhile, during the worst of the recession, lenders were cutting limits much more frequently, but this isn't really the case anymore.

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

EaglesFan2006 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:58:09 GMT

Thanks for the advice guys...and I will calm down. Its just with the unpredictablility of everything, I always want to prepare for the worst.

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

EaglesFan2006 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:59:54 GMT

Thanks again...

I'd never heard the team 'balance chasing'...so basicly that means you max your card out, pay essentially the minimum, and the CC's view that as a red flag (not worried about this one, just curious!)

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

Koop10010 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 23:01:48 GMT

Yeah, it's when the lender keeps cutting someone's limit to right above their balance as they slowly pay off their maxed out card.

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

LS2982 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 23:03:01 GMT

It's pretty much when you max it out and leave it close to that for months, that puts up red flags to the creditor so every time you make a payment to it they adjust your CL to your balance so you can not further charge up the card.

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

Elcid89 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 23:04:06 GMT

Look at it from a lender's point of view. If you have these open lines that have had low utilization forever, and suddenly they all shoot up, and you start making minimum or close to minimum payments, that tells a lender: This guy is in trouble, and it might be a good idea to limit my exposure to him. Ergo they lower the limit on your account with them.

If you have open lines that get utilized and paid regularly in large chunks, that tells a lender: "this guy spends a lot of money, and I can see that my competitor has offered him better terms that I did, so if I want his business, I need to get off my backside and make it worth his while, either by lowering his rate, giving him more credit or both.

You fall into that second category from what you have told us about your use habits, so IMO anyway, you have zero to worry about. You're the sort of customer that they fight over, not the sort they fight to get rid of.

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

EaglesFan2006 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 23:23:07 GMT

Thanks... That makes sense so I'm less worried now. I was just over-reacting to recent inquiries and a large purchase... But I always pay off or pay large each month.

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

Elcid89 — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 23:36:49 GMT

EaglesFan2006 wrote:
Thanks... That makes sense so I'm less worried now. I was just over-reacting to recent inquiries and a large purchase... But I always pay off or pay large each month.

If you REALLY want to have some fun with them, pay off a card, and then let it collect dust for a bit while you use a competing card from a different lender. They'll fall over themselves asking what they can do to get your business. When they do, you tell them what you want. Make demands, and they usually give in. Remember, they are making money off of you, so it is up to THEM to please YOU, not the other way around. You can always take your business elsewhere.

Re: Why would a CC lower your credit limit?

youngandcreditwrthy — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 05:59:16 GMT

Lol... Don't feel bad... I worry myself to death about this too... Although I keep util low and make big pmts.

However... Neiman's, after Cap One took over, cut me from $750 to $505. Very crapital one like considering that was already my lowest limit. I never missed any payments or had ANY delinquencies.. So I just closed it. I'd say if you ever do experience balance chasing ( I never have), you should just threaten to close the account in question. Sometimes you really have to put up a fight with creditors, esp if you're creditworthy!:-)