Applied for a $5,000 used car auto loan with Alliant and was told a decision would be emailed to me within 45 mins to an hour. I hung up and checked my email and saw there was an immediate decision: denied due to thin file. Felt defeated and was amazed that the denial was practically instantaneous even though the person taking my application said the underwriters had not issued a decision and to wait. So, I decided to call back and ask if there was a decision (playing dumb). The loan rep checked and told me it was denied but then he said, "Didn't you say you had a huge down payment?" I said yes. He said, "Wait, you're only requesting a $5000 loan. Whoever did the app failed to mention what you plan to put down for a down payment. I'm going to send this back for reconsideration. Can you hold on?" I said yes. He came back on the line and said the loan is APPROVED!!
Now I have an installment loan showing on my credit report that will help build my credit. So relieved and grateful.
