New poster, frequent reader... I believe it was time for me to give a bit back. 
First the background:
10 years and 2 months ago, I had a BK discharged, and steadily rebuilt over that decade. Zero negative in that time, with all accounts either removed or updated to positive in the past five or six years. My BK showed on all my reports until TU and EX finally removed it about two years ago (and two years early). EQ still showed it until the appropriate drop off. Despite this, I had FICO8 scores between 700-750. Spread was installment (two car loans totalling $16k and a personal loan for $13k), student loans that I'll have forever, a mortgage with about $100k and several revolving lines (all somewhat small as listed below). Oldest revolving account is from 2006, Included in the BK were some decent sized balances with AMEX, Citi, and Chase (each over $20k).
My cards at the beginning of this month were 3 Cap1-$5k, $3.5k, & $1.8k (one opened with them and two they purchased from HSBC/Household), Merrick-$3.9K, Kohl's (Cap1) $1.7k, 3 Barclays - $4.7k, $4k, and $3.3k, a local CU visa $6k, and a UMB opened in 2013 with $15k (they checked TU only). As of August 1, my utilization was about 17% overall. I've been waiting for the BK to fall off from my final report to refi my house and make several adjustments to my approach to credit. Now that that happened, I was able to drop my residential rate in half through my Credit Union. (Closed this last Monday, so none of that shows yet,) The mortgage inquiry was the only one showing on each of the CRs. Personal income is $135k, household is about $176k
Now the data points:
AMEX:
New wife (since BK) had a personal Amex Plat she added me as an AU on in 2012.
She closed this card in 2013 and opened a business Amex Plat on which I was declined as an AU in 2013. ("Previous relationship")
My company's corporate Amex account was able to get a VP over-ride and issue me a Corp Amex in early 2014.
I applied this month for a Delta Amex Gold and got the "further processing is required" message. It wasn't a denial after all, instead was a required call based on an extended fraud alert on my CR. After the callback, I was approved for $10k. AMEX pulled EQ and EX, but not TU. Fico8 scores at the time they pulled were between 800 and 810.
Citibank:
CitiMortgage bought the mortgage on my home from the original lender we had about five years ago.
I applied in 2012 for a Citicard and was declined. I remember thinking at the time it said something like due to previous default. (which there was no record of on my CR, so it had to be with them in their system.
I applied last week for a Citi Diamond Preferred and got "further processing required" (which I'm now accustomed to seeing based on the fraud alert). After verifying my identity, approved for $11.8k. Citi pulled EQ and EX, but not TU. Scores were still between 800-810 on each.
Chase:
No attempts before this week.
Applied online, received the 'further processing' message. Didn't wait for their call, instead called them (recon line from forums here).
Info verified, questions asked about individual balances on my CR (What do you intend to do about the $940 on your Barclay's card?) and rep mentioned my previous relationship with them (actually said "I see you chose not to repay what we loaned you before 2004"). I explained that I had a child pass away after significant medical issues, and that I've been working to rebuild my situation after such a tragic circumstance.
Rep asked about my income again then came back and said "I'm going to decline your application. I'd like to see your accounts repaid before we extend credit again."
"Which accounts?"
"All of them, including amounts you elected not to pay before. I believe you have enough credit."
"Is that a request that I pay the amounts discharged in 2005?"
"I cannot ask you to do that, but it would certainly show that you don't intend to take advantage of us again."
"Thanks for your time."
Thus - Chase blacklist = exists. Chase pulled EQ and EX.
I froze my accounts and was happy with my 2/3 success.
The rest of the story:
After seeing all three of them pulled EQ and EX, a quick search found Sync bank as having generally pulled only TU. I unfroze TU again and yesterday applied for a Lowe's account. After the fraud verification call, I was approved at $5k. I said, "Gosh, thank you, but we're anticipating a home improvement project starting next month that will exceed that amount, is that the highest limit I can get? (TU Fico8 score as of yesterday = 809.) She transferred me to credit department and after asking me the same questions (verify my identity and income), limit raised to $15k.
I got greedy and went onto Amex and clicked the "Increase your CL" link. Entered my income and was approved for $20k.
I also went on Cap1 and consolidated the three accounts with them into one (simple click here process) with a higher CL.
That's my long drawn out story. I realize my scores will take a hit (likly significant) when the new accounts and AAOA changes hit, but my utilization just dropped to under 8%. And I'm done for a while anyway, as I doubled my to CLs with better card products than I had.
Hope this info helps someone(s).
Awesome job..
I can understand being declined if someone has an unfavorable history with a particular lender..
What I've never understood is how and why a lender expects someone to pay a debt that has been included in bankruptcy.
Either say yes or no to extending new credit.
I imagine the penalty of living with the bankruptcy for 7 years is already tough enough to get through... without eventually paying an included debt to become trustworthy (to that lender).
The Chase rep couldn't ask you but sounded like she strongly suggested.
If I were to tell you what I can't advise you to do.... It kinda becomes the opposite..
My reaction aligns with yours about that phone conversation.
