topic Re: BK from the 90's question in Credit Card Applications

BK from the 90's question

dsotm76 — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 16:16:31 GMT

Hey everyone!

So, through some sort of miracle, I found my BK papers from the 90s with the creditors listed on them. I'm having trouble finding if any of them were absorbed into another bank or not. If any of you can shed some light on some "mergers" or "acquisitions," it would be GREATLY appreciated. I don't want to app to somewhere that has picked up one of these only to be denied and possibly risk a pull. :-)

Here's the list and the city it was registered in at the time:

Advanta - Wilmington, DE

AT&T - Universal Card - Charlotte, NC (I see where Citi has one named this, but they did approve me for the Double Cash)

Chase - Wilmington, DE (I'm fine with not going to Chase)

Credit First - Cleveland, OH

Hecht's (store) - Cleveland, OH (I'm guessing that Macy's would have taken this over, but see below)

Heironimus (store) - Roanoke, VA (Local defunct store)

Macy's (store) - Dallas, TX

Montgomery Ward (store) - Macon, GA (defunct, guessing no one took the accounts)

Nations Bank of DE - Louisville, KY

Nordstrom (store) - Phoenix, AZ (this breaks my heart. Wish I had an in with them again. [cries])

JCPenney (store) - Orlando, FL

As usual, THANK YOU for any information provided!! :-)

Re: BK from the 90's question

Anonymous — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 18:48:33 GMT

I know J C Penney is now through Synchrony. Even if you BK'd some of those companies in the 90's, it has been long enough that with some of them you could be approved again. I do know that Synchrony will let you back in after BK them.

Re: BK from the 90's question

AverageJoesCredit — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 17:16:11 GMT

Agree, that was back in days of Yor haha. Most places you should be fine to apply. If anyone wants to hold a 20 year grudge, then thats their loss and not worth having in mho. We all make or made mistakes. Dont let those past mistakes hold you back from a new begining.

Unfortunately i burned Amex over 10 years ago due to being young , not knowing credit better and my bk circumstances, but in back with them . I am now 100% concious of how i want to do them right for giving me a second chance. I pay in full when i can. I dont ever want to burn them again so im using what i learned to do better this time

Re: BK from the 90's question

fltireguy — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 17:43:23 GMT

NationsBank is now BOA
ATT is Citi
CreditFirst is still the same (Firestone)

Re: BK from the 90's question

dsotm76 — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 19:29:22 GMT

I tried to get in with JCP again because I have a Synchrony account already and they turned me down very quickly.

It's good to know that the AT&T Universal is with Citi. I thought I was right on that one. I'm glad Citi doesn't hold a grudge. Also, with Nations being BoA now, that explains why I cannot get any pre-qual offers through them or from Chase.

I'm guessing that Barclays doesn't have anything to do with anyone on that list, right? I've thought hard about that Uber card, esp since my TU is 762 right now. And I'd like to app before AMEX or Citi show up on there to bring my AAoA down from the 2 years it's at right now. It's either that or I go with getting a BP or Belk through Synch since I know they pull TU. Trying to get the cards I want so I can let them all mature together as a family and try my hand at gardening. :-)

Re: BK from the 90's question

AverageJoesCredit — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 22:52:38 GMT

If you were denied on Pennys but already have a Sync account, might not have anything to do with a previous bk but your current file. Its good to note that because one has a specific card from a lender doesnt necessarily translate to getting approved for another card from same lender, different underwritings.

If you like let us know what your current profile looks like, like score , aaol, hps etc and maybe we can give more help on what you want to apply

Re: BK from the 90's question

UncleB — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 23:09:38 GMT

@AverageJoesCredit wrote:
If you were denied on Pennys but already have a Sync account, might not have anything to do with a previous bk but your current file. Its good to note that because one has a specific card from a lender doesnt necessarily translate to getting approved for another card from same lender, different underwritings.

If you like let us know what your current profile looks like, like score , aaol, hps etc and maybe we can give more help on what you want to apply

Exactly this ^^^.

I burned all the 'big boys' with either COs or my BK and I've been able to get back in with all of them with the exception of Barclays, and honestly that's no big loss.

Chase has a long memory but an account IIBK 20+ years ago shouldn't be a show-stopper; same with Amex (although with Amex it does keep me from getting any user-initiated CLIs... all my CLIs have to be auto).

In my experience BoA and Citi didn't seem to be bothered at all. My BoA cards were auto-approved (I included MBNA in my BK) and while my Citi app did go to manual review it was approved (there was no indication that the old IIBK account was the reason for the manual review).

I feel like your Synchrony denial was likely due to your current profile and not your past BK, but the language on the denial letter will tell you for sure.

Re: BK from the 90's question

fltireguy — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 03:58:14 GMT

Actually in the 90’s JCP would have probably still been in house, and they would have owned and serviced the account

Re: BK from the 90's question

dsotm76 — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 03:59:41 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@AverageJoesCredit wrote:
If you were denied on Pennys but already have a Sync account, might not have anything to do with a previous bk but your current file. Its good to note that because one has a specific card from a lender doesnt necessarily translate to getting approved for another card from same lender, different underwritings.

If you like let us know what your current profile looks like, like score , aaol, hps etc and maybe we can give more help on what you want to apply
Exactly this ^^^.

I burned all the 'big boys' with either COs or my BK and I've been able to get back in with all of them with the exception of Barclays, and honestly that's no big loss.

Chase has a long memory but an account IIBK 20+ years ago shouldn't be a show-stopper; same with Amex (although with Amex it does keep me from getting any user-initiated CLIs... all my CLIs have to be auto).

In my experience BoA and Citi didn't seem to be bothered at all. My BoA cards were auto-approved (I included MBNA in my BK) and while my Citi app did go to manual review it was approved (there was no indication that the old IIBK account was the reason for the manual review).

I feel like your Synchrony denial was likely due to your current profile and not your past BK, but the language on the denial letter will tell you for sure.

The JCP denial was a couple of years ago. It's probably for the best as I was just trying to get a little more credit along the way and not one that I'd like to have right now. :-) I'm trying to remember the letter, but my mind is drawing a blank.

Definitely good info to know. I just figured my past with Chase and BoA (through purchase) would be the reason they aren't showing any pre-quals for me at the moment where most others are. The only other one that doesn't is USBank.

My current info is 739 EX, 762 TU, and 764 EQ with 21% UTI. The AAoA is around 2 years right now. The new AMEX and Citi aren't reporting yet. The last few that are on my radar are the two by Synch (BP and Belk) and possibly the Uber by Barclay, mostly for all the dining out I do.

Re: BK from the 90's question

dsotm76 — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 04:01:19 GMT

@fltireguy wrote:
Actually in the 90’s JCP would have probably still been in house, and they would have owned and serviced the account

If Synch took over JCP accounts though, wouldn't they keep a BL record?

Re: BK from the 90's question

UncleB — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 04:11:50 GMT

@dsotm76 wrote:
@fltireguy wrote:
Actually in the 90’s JCP would have probably still been in house, and they would have owned and serviced the account

If Synch took over JCP accounts though, wouldn't they keep a BL record?

I've never heard of a denial from Synch based on an old BK even when Synch was the bank named in the BK... as long as the TU score is high enough, that is.

In your case with a 762 TU you will likely be able to get any Synch card you want as long as you have just a little history and haven't gone absolutely nuts with new apps (even then an approval is still possible with your strong score, but of course YMMV).

Re: BK from the 90's question

dsotm76 — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 14:30:23 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@dsotm76 wrote:
@fltireguy wrote:
Actually in the 90’s JCP would have probably still been in house, and they would have owned and serviced the account

If Synch took over JCP accounts though, wouldn't they keep a BL record?
I've never heard of a denial from Synch based on an old BK even when Synch was the bank named in the BK... as long as the TU score is high enough, that is.

In your case with a 762 TU you will likely be able to get any Synch card you want as long as you have just a little history and haven't gone absolutely nuts with new apps (even then an approval is still possible with your strong score, but of course YMMV).

Given the fact that my AMEX and Citi aren't reporting yet, they wouldn't see those apps yet, correct? Also, if I wanted to pull the trigger on both the BP and the Belk, does that have to be done spaced apart since they are both Synch?

Re: BK from the 90's question

UncleB — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 19:27:13 GMT

@dsotm76 wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
@dsotm76 wrote:
@fltireguy wrote:
Actually in the 90’s JCP would have probably still been in house, and they would have owned and serviced the account

If Synch took over JCP accounts though, wouldn't they keep a BL record?
I've never heard of a denial from Synch based on an old BK even when Synch was the bank named in the BK... as long as the TU score is high enough, that is.

In your case with a 762 TU you will likely be able to get any Synch card you want as long as you have just a little history and haven't gone absolutely nuts with new apps (even then an approval is still possible with your strong score, but of course YMMV).
Given the fact that my AMEX and Citi aren't reporting yet, they wouldn't see those apps yet, correct? Also, if I wanted to pull the trigger on both the BP and the Belk, does that have to be done spaced apart since they are both Synch?

You'll get various opinions on this, but if it were me I would consider going for Belk and holding off on the BP (unless the numbers made sense for you to switch it around, of course). For someone who shops at Belk often (I do as well) the Belk Rewards card can be lucrative.

You can try for the BP immediately, but the BP card isn't extremely popular around here since as far as gas cards go many folks can do better - and with your scores, you fall into the 'can do better' group.

That said, I would also consider going slow with Synchrony since they are known to be 'testy' at times with the darn blue envelope. Granted, it's been a while since anybody has reported getting one, but IMO better safe than sorry (especially if there's not an immediate need). I've had great luck with my own Synchrony accounts, but I also am a believer in diversity when it comes to lenders.

Re: BK from the 90's question

dsotm76 — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 22:27:22 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@dsotm76 wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
@dsotm76 wrote:
@fltireguy wrote:
Actually in the 90’s JCP would have probably still been in house, and they would have owned and serviced the account

If Synch took over JCP accounts though, wouldn't they keep a BL record?
I've never heard of a denial from Synch based on an old BK even when Synch was the bank named in the BK... as long as the TU score is high enough, that is.

In your case with a 762 TU you will likely be able to get any Synch card you want as long as you have just a little history and haven't gone absolutely nuts with new apps (even then an approval is still possible with your strong score, but of course YMMV).
Given the fact that my AMEX and Citi aren't reporting yet, they wouldn't see those apps yet, correct? Also, if I wanted to pull the trigger on both the BP and the Belk, does that have to be done spaced apart since they are both Synch?
You'll get various opinions on this, but if it were me I would consider going for Belk and holding off on the BP (unless the numbers made sense for you to switch it around, of course). For someone who shops at Belk often (I do as well) the Belk Rewards card can be lucrative.

You can try for the BP immediately, but the BP card isn't extremely popular around here since as far as gas cards go many folks can do better - and with your scores, you fall into the 'can do better' group.

That said, I would also consider going slow with Synchrony since they are known to be 'testy' at times with the darn blue envelope. Granted, it's been a while since anybody has reported getting one, but IMO better safe than sorry (especially if there's not an immediate need). I've had great luck with my own Synchrony accounts, but I also am a believer in diversity when it comes to lenders.

Thanks for the Blue Envelope link. I'd seen that term before but wasn't too sure what it meant. I just have my Sony card for a local store with Synch right now. Belk is enticing because I do a bit of shopping there, especially when they have their end of season sales. That extra 50% off the red dot price makes for some amazing savings. And I really just prefer Belk to most major department stores.

I'll probably go ahead and hold off on the BP then. I was just considering it for all the traveling I do to see the other half on weekends. I do get 2% though my AMEX on gas, but thought the BP might have a better reward structure. If I may ask, what gas cards tend to be the preferred ones and do any pull TU or EQ?

Thank you for letting me pick your brain on this info.

Re: BK from the 90's question

UncleB — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 23:38:51 GMT

@dsotm76 wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
@dsotm76 wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
@dsotm76 wrote:
@fltireguy wrote:
Actually in the 90’s JCP would have probably still been in house, and they would have owned and serviced the account

If Synch took over JCP accounts though, wouldn't they keep a BL record?
I've never heard of a denial from Synch based on an old BK even when Synch was the bank named in the BK... as long as the TU score is high enough, that is.

In your case with a 762 TU you will likely be able to get any Synch card you want as long as you have just a little history and haven't gone absolutely nuts with new apps (even then an approval is still possible with your strong score, but of course YMMV).
Given the fact that my AMEX and Citi aren't reporting yet, they wouldn't see those apps yet, correct? Also, if I wanted to pull the trigger on both the BP and the Belk, does that have to be done spaced apart since they are both Synch?
You'll get various opinions on this, but if it were me I would consider going for Belk and holding off on the BP (unless the numbers made sense for you to switch it around, of course). For someone who shops at Belk often (I do as well) the Belk Rewards card can be lucrative.

You can try for the BP immediately, but the BP card isn't extremely popular around here since as far as gas cards go many folks can do better - and with your scores, you fall into the 'can do better' group.

That said, I would also consider going slow with Synchrony since they are known to be 'testy' at times with the darn blue envelope. Granted, it's been a while since anybody has reported getting one, but IMO better safe than sorry (especially if there's not an immediate need). I've had great luck with my own Synchrony accounts, but I also am a believer in diversity when it comes to lenders.
Thanks for the Blue Envelope link. I'd seen that term before but wasn't too sure what it meant. I just have my Sony card for a local store with Synch right now. Belk is enticing because I do a bit of shopping there, especially when they have their end of season sales. That extra 50% off the red dot price makes for some amazing savings. And I really just prefer Belk to most major department stores.

I'll probably go ahead and hold off on the BP then. I was just considering it for all the traveling I do to see the other half on weekends. I do get 2% though my AMEX on gas, but thought the BP might have a better reward structure. If I may ask, what gas cards tend to be the preferred ones and do any pull TU or EQ?

Thank you for letting me pick your brain on this info.

You're very welcome!

For gas there are several good options each with their own quirks and benefits. For my own gas purchases I use my Sam's Club MasterCard - with a couple of exceptions (including Costco... no surprise there) all gas purchases are 5% cash back. Kroger fuel is supposed to be excluded as well, but at my local Kroger I do get the 5% cash back so it works rather well for me.

The 'gotcha' with Sam's Club MasterCard cash back is that you can only redeem once a year, and they send you a check that you have to cash in a physical club. For me this isn't a problem, since I let all my cash back accumulate anyway (and I go to Sam's Club every couple of weeks) but to some this is a turn-off. Also, you have to be a member of Sam's Club to get it (some view this as an "annual fee") but again in my case that's not an issue since I would be a member anyway.

There are a couple of other notable things... when you apply you get the store version if you don't qualify for the MasterCard, so for someone with a borderline TransUnion approval for the MasterCard version can be "iffy" (not a problem for you). And lastly, it's backed by Synchrony, with all of the usual caveats there (for better or for worse.)

Here are a couple of other threads where various gas options were discussed:

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Best-for-Gas-purchases/m-p/5026715#M1469401

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Highest-earning-gas-card-Out-of-options/m-p/5089740

If there's a specific gas card you have a question about, you'll likely get plenty of feedback by starting a new thread on the 'Credit Cards' forum.

Re: BK from the 90's question

fltireguy — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 23:44:30 GMT

YMMV but..
The best card that I have come across (in MY case, and in my area - Tampa) is the BCP, when you pay INSIDE at a 7-11, it codes as grocery, earning 6%... that’s my new favorite for gas...

Re: BK from the 90's question

dsotm76 — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 02:57:45 GMT

As always, I appreciate all the info. I'm going to do some homework and take a look around a little bit more before I pull one more trigger or two. And I'm still thinking about that Uber Barclays as well, because the dining out percentage is amazing considering how little cooking I do. I need to study that thread. THANKS again! :-)

Re: BK from the 90's question

Jeffhacker — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 01:43:54 GMT

I can say that:

AT&T Universal is now Citi

Hechts/Macy's is now Department Stores National Bank (Citi)

Nordstrom is Wells Fargo

JC Penney is Synchrony Bank.

Don't know about the others.

Re: BK from the 90's question

dsotm76 — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 02:09:20 GMT

wrote:
I can say that:
AT&T Universal is now Citi
Hechts/Macy's is now Department Stores National Bank (Citi)
Nordstrom is Wells Fargo
JC Penney is Synchrony Bank.

Don't know about the others.

Appreciate the information. Any experience with Wells Fargo as the creditor holder of the Nordstrom card? I do want a Nordstrom card again, but don't want that rejection.

Re: BK from the 90's question

FinStar — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 04:43:22 GMT

wrote:
I can say that:
AT&T Universal is now Citi
Hechts/Macy's is now Department Stores National Bank (Citi)
~~Nordstrom is Wells Fargo~~
JC Penney is Synchrony Bank.

Don't know about the others.

Nordstrom is not Wells Fargo (nor has even been). CCs were managed by Nordstrom Bank until TD Bank aquired the portfolio.