Having an account with a bank, better chances for a CC?

[CS800]

I think the checking side and the credit side of any company tends to be different. However they can soft you and 'sell' your info to their credit dept.

I have a good sum with BOA and it still doesnt help me with them

[Open123]

It certainly can't hurt, but it isn't going to make the difference if you're credit history and internal risk score doesn't fit what they're looking for in an applicant.

Also, all things being equal, I like to avoid borrowing from where I save.  I have a cc with my bank, but use it very sparingly.  I prefer my creditors to have no direct access to any of my funds.  

[mokong]

agreed.

[bichonmom]

It really depends on the bank. USAA has told me that, while it certainly doesn't guarantee approval, having a bank acct with them *does* improve your chances of approval. Probably if you're on the cusp, it will help, but not if you aren't even close to being approved. My CU also told me the same thing.

On the other hand, my bank, where I've done all my banking for the last 5 or so years, did NOT help me to get a CC. But their CC decisions aren't made by them; they're made by Elan, the company that administers their CCs. That really irked me, because it's a small, local bank, and I spent years building a relationship with them for nothing. The bank wouldn't override the decision made by Elan, who are the underwriters.

So, in some cases, yes, and in some cases, no.