topic Re: PSECU --- now what? in Credit Cards

PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:12:11 GMT

So I joined PSECU basically because... I could... lol. I got it for the EX Fico score mostly, but now that I am a member is there anything that I should really do other than just get my Fico score from them? I've seen countless posts in the past about their high CL's, but I was planning on gardening what I have for a little bit, at least until I 3x my CL on my BCE (hopefully). Yeah, I would like a high CL card, but I was thinking it would be more important to get my BCE CL up before app'ing for any future cards. To be honest, I really do not understand CU's all that much, and I really do not plan on using them for my normal banking since they don't have a location near me. I know they are good for other sorts of loans, but I really have no use for any more loans at this time in my life. Advice?

Re: PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:00:35 GMT

PSECU is great credit union. They have an unique product that is a COMBO credit card/LOC. Basically they share they same total credit line. However if I remember correctly, they report to credit bureaus as two different products with CL of COMBO showing. Because of the COMBO product, your CL tends to be higher so basically higher CL showing on credit report twice .

Aside from that, they are generous (not as much as NFCU. No one is) with people with less than perfect credit. Also, they have good/great rates on their loan products.

If I was you, I would just chill out applying with them until your Amex CLI request goes through. Let that new AMEX CL report, then app for their COMBO product. Goal would be to get monster CL compared to what you have today. Also, card has interest rate floor of 9.9% for everything (including cash advance) which is pretty good and has basically no fees (no bt, no cash advnace, etc.). Decent card if you need to revolve a balance. Use the card a little to build history.

When you need loan product, PSECU should definitely be considered.

Re: PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:25:03 GMT

Thanks for the info Crashem. I tried to look stuff up on here but 99% of the threads were how to actually get into it. I heard they were a great CU years ago when I started working diligently on my credit) so I figured I might as well join them. I did app 2 years ago but never sent in the form to fully complete membership. The Combo CC/LOC sounds great!! Is that just their standard Visa credit card? I'll definitely wait until I build up my BCE before going for it! Do they care if you have balances in your accounts other than the minimums required to join?

Re: PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:28:34 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Thanks for the info Crashem. I tried to look stuff up on here but 99% of the threads were how to actually get into it. I heard they were a great CU years ago when I started working diligently on my credit) so I figured I might as well join them. I did app 2 years ago but never sent in the form to fully complete membership. The Combo CC/LOC sounds great!! Is that just their standard Visa credit card? I'll definitely wait until I build up my BCE before going for it! Do they care if you have balances in your accounts other than the minimums required to join?

I was looking for ways to join too earlier on in the year myself. Hope that it works out well for you!

Re: PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:16:39 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Thanks for the info Crashem. I tried to look stuff up on here but 99% of the threads were how to actually get into it. I heard they were a great CU years ago when I started working diligently on my credit) so I figured I might as well join them. I did app 2 years ago but never sent in the form to fully complete membership. The Combo CC/LOC sounds great!! Is that just their standard Visa credit card? I'll definitely wait until I build up my BCE before going for it! Do they care if you have balances in your accounts other than the minimums required to join?

nope. Don't worryabout balances. Call them about combo product. I could find on website either. I hope they still offer it.

Re: PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:18:20 GMT

A_Madel, do you have any immediate family members in PA? That is an easy way in. Once I was approved, I was told any immediate family members could now join that I was a member. I got in through the PA Parks and Recreation donation which I donate yearly to anyway.

Re: PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:20:09 GMT

Crashem,
I'll give them a call and ask when I'm ready to app for it. Otherwise, if they say yes, I will be tempted...

Re: PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:34:51 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
A_Madel, do you have any immediate family members in PA? That is an easy way in. Once I was approved, I was told any immediate family members could now join that I was a member. I got in through the PA Parks and Recreation donation which I donate yearly to anyway.

Nope, unfortunately I don't. Howevee, I may have eligibilty through an employer association. I was actually almost throught the membership application and backed away from the edge.... Lol I may keep them insight for next year. Gotta let my newbies age and build some distance from my recent inqs. I saw the PA parks & recreation membership, that was a good backdoor. But, they have it under lock and key now - you must also be a state resident.

Re: PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:43:11 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
A_Madel, do you have any immediate family members in PA? That is an easy way in. Once I was approved, I was told any immediate family members could now join that I was a member. I got in through the PA Parks and Recreation donation which I donate yearly to anyway.
Nope, unfortunately I don't. Howevee, I may have eligibilty through an employer association. I was actually almost throught the membership application and backed away from the edge.... Lol I may keep them insight for next year. Gotta let my newbies age and build some distance from my recent inqs. I saw the PA parks & recreation membership, that was a good backdoor. But, they have it under lock and key now - you must also be a state resident.

madel, someone else will need to confirm. Is there a hard inquiry just to join? If so, I would take inquiry now so it can age with rest. Otherwise your plan seems sound.

Re: PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:56:05 GMT

I have not received a hard inq ... yet. But I just sent in my signature form today. They might hard inq after they receive the sig form.

Re: PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:01:12 GMT

Crashem wrote:

A_Madel wrote:

jd5189 wrote:

madel, someone else will need to confirm. Is there a hard inquiry just to join? If so, I would take inquiry now so it can age with rest. Otherwise your plan seems sound.

Yeah, I was kinda disappointed and waiting to see if anyone else here on the board caught that. The state resident part was in bold too like it had been recently updated. I actually don't know about the HP either. I assume they follow suit with most other CU's in doing so. Guess I wanted to stop while ahead - still on the fence - Gah! The thought of another inq!

Re: PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:02:25 GMT

If you aren't planning on apping for anything in near future, another inquiry won't hurt and will at least age with your recent ones.

Re: PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:03:38 GMT

Uhhhmmm... Sorry about that. Have no idea how all the lines got there. Responding from the iPad - strange things happen.....

Re: PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:05:08 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Uhhhmmm... Sorry about that. Have no idea how all the lines got there. Responding from the iPad - strange things happen.....

I hate the ipad for typing. All sorts of auto corrections that mess things up. Pain on the hand. Unpredictable formatting. But it is so light and easy to deal with from bed.

Re: PSECU --- now what?

rtw — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:06:44 GMT

I joined back in March for the EX Fico. It was not a hard pull. I then found out about the Visa/PSL through this site and applied last month. I requested the CL of 15K (I was too scared to request the 20K). I was approved instantly. They pulled EX and I only had 1 inq on my report at the time, 2 30 day lates(oldest was 7/10) and one paid collection (Midland).I had about 43% utility at the time and my highest limit card was Citibank at 5K (opened 2008). EX Fico was around 651 at the time of my app.

Re: PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:24:44 GMT

@rtw wrote:
I joined back in March for the EX Fico. It was not a hard pull. I then found out about the Visa/PSL through this site and applied last month. I requested the CL of 15K (I was too scared to request the 20K). I was approved instantly. They pulled EX and I only had 1 inq on my report at the time, 2 30 day lates(oldest was 7/10) and one paid collection (Midland).I had about 43% utility at the time and my highest limit card was Citibank at 5K (opened 2008). EX Fico was around 651 at the time of my app.

Sounds promising! Thanks rtw for the info!

Re: PSECU --- now what?

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:29:49 GMT

@rtw wrote:
I joined back in March for the EX Fico. It was not a hard pull. I then found out about the Visa/PSL through this site and applied last month. I requested the CL of 15K (I was too scared to request the 20K). I was approved instantly. They pulled EX and I only had 1 inq on my report at the time, 2 30 day lates(oldest was 7/10) and one paid collection (Midland).I had about 43% utility at the time and my highest limit card was Citibank at 5K (opened 2008). EX Fico was around 651 at the time of my app.

psecu is generous. Its no nfcu but isn't far behind

Re: PSECU --- now what?

jsickz32 — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:32:24 GMT

@rtw
Is it true their Visa card says "credit card" on it?

Re: PSECU --- now what?

rtw — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:41:37 GMT

@jsickz32. Yes it's the visa that says "credit card" on it and has a picture of the state capital. It's quite ugly but works as well as my other cards.:-)

Re: PSECU --- now what?

jsickz32 — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:58:21 GMT

@rwt
lol if its not a hard pull im gonna try to join.