topic Re: Citibank secured card, am I in? in Credit Cards

Citibank secured card, am I in?

tobey — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:31:42 GMT

I mailed in my app for Citibank's secured card 6 days ago, and to my surprise they already cashed my check (it's supposed to take around 4 weeks according to their site...). Has anyone else applied for this card through the mail? Does this usually mean you've been approved?

Re: Citibank secured card, am I in?

ScottsdaleDad — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:46:36 GMT

I applied online (When they allowed you to do so about 3 weeks ago), they took my money ACH from my account, turned me down, then mailed me a check back for the deposit. It took about 2 weeks to get my money back. I was also turned down by Wells. It turned out for the best though because I've been approved for secured cards with Addison FCU (2 day approval, $500 minimum, 16% rate, no annual fee) and Navy FCU (1 week approval, $500 minimum, 17.4% rate, no annual fee). I just applied to USAA as a limited member, and I was told approval was guaranteed. We'll see how that goes. I would definitely recommend Addison. Great to work with.

Re: Citibank secured card, am I in?

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:59:23 GMT

Scotts ...

Can you private message me who you talked to at USAA? I spoke with them about a month back (i'm a limited memeber) and they told me I wasn't eligible because of my limited membership! Been looking for an *in*. So if there is a specific email address or person you spoke with, with phone number, I would certainly appreciate it!

Re: Citibank secured card, am I in?

ScottsdaleDad — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:24:19 GMT

I actually didn't get the person's name. I was turned down 3 times by phone and 1 time by e-mail before I finally got someone to send me the application. I sent it in on Saturday. I would keep calling until you get someone to send the app. Other limited members said they have been approved for cards, so we're definitely eligible. Good luck.

Re: Citibank secured card, am I in?

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:21:55 GMT

citibank is NOT BK friendly! I've applied 2 months back, sent them $400 cashier check. By the second week, they cashed it. By the end of the second week. They denied me and sent me a check in the mail.

Re: Citibank secured card, am I in?

tobey — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:18:02 GMT

Heh, ok, so I guess cashing the check isn't a sign of anything. I suppose they just want to see if you actually have the money before they proceed with your app.

No BK here, just limited history. I was also approved by WF for a secured card a few months ago. Maybe I have a chance...

Still don't know why it's so hard to get a secured card... They already have your money, what's the risk to them?

Re: Citibank secured card, am I in?

tobey — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:19:11 GMT

I just got an email saying I was apporoved and my card is in the mail! It only took about 10 days to process my snail-mail app. Not nearly as bad as the 4 weeks I was expecting.

I put the max 5k into the 4.07% CD, so even with the anual fee in 18 months this card will have made me money. Plus, I would think having a card with a fairly decent CL will look good to other CCCs...

Re: Citibank secured card, am I in?

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:28:10 GMT

The risk to them is you maxing out the card and then defaulting for whatever reason, leaving a bunch of unpaid interest as well as accumulated late fees.

congrats on the cards

Re: Citibank secured card, am I in?

laz98 — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 02:02:35 GMT

what does it mean to be a limited member? does that mean you don't have a checking account with them?

Re: Citibank secured card, am I in?

sjt — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 21:44:12 GMT

I just read the disclosure statement for the Citibank Secured Mastercard. It states that you cant have a BK, Collection, or charge off within the last two years. This is a big change because Citibank Secured card was known as a builder, not rebuilder, and did not approve card if there was a BK on your CRA, no matter how old.

Re: Citibank secured card, am I in?

sjt — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 21:46:45 GMT

With USAA there are two types of memberships, 1) limited membership, which is open to anyone and 2) full membership, which has certain criteria to be eligible. The secured MC is for full members only.

Re: Citibank secured card, am I in?

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 01:20:21 GMT

That isn't necessarily true. I am a limited member with USAA and I have the secured card. However, I was able to get on board almost nine monthes ago.

Re: Citibank secured card, am I in?

cashnocredit — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 07:41:31 GMT

Citi secured CD's now only pay 1% APR. Looks like you just got in under the wire.

Re: Citibank secured card, am I in?

tobey — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 23:34:34 GMT

Woah! That sucks. I knew they couldn't sustain 4.07%, especially in this economy. But 1% on an 18 month CD is about as low as it gets... Still, it's nice that your deposit earns anything at all, most secured cards don't do that.

Fun ride while it lasted...