Application Process from start to finish questions

[pi-r-squared]

OK, I like understanding processes so I have some questions regarding the CC app process....

Let's assume I have entered everything correctly into an online app and pushed the button to apply.

1.)  Is it a computer that performs HPs on your CRs and the computer determines if you're approved?  I figure the computers use the "numbers" during analysis and spit back a YES or NO.

2.)  If the computer rejects you, does the application automatically go to some human being so he or she can make sure something wasn't missed by the computer?  What I mean is, can the computer reject BUT a real person accept WITHOUT the applicant actually calling the company to reconsider?

3.)  Are the FICO scores actually used when considering OR are these numbers used by the computers to do instant approvals?  I have a feeling computers use the FICO numbers while humans use both the FICO and the credit reports??

[Anonymous]

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@pi-r-squared wrote:

OK, I like understanding processes so I have some questions regarding the CC app process....

Let's assume I have entered everything correctly into an online app and pushed the button to apply.

1.)  Is it a computer that performs HPs on your CRs and the computer determines if you're approved?  I figure the computers use the "numbers" during analysis and spit back a YES or NO.  For instant decisions, yes, the computer makes the HP, and runs the info in your CR against their internal risk model to arrive at their decision.

2.)  If the computer rejects you, does the application automatically go to some human being so he or she can make sure something wasn't missed by the computer?  What I mean is, can the computer reject BUT a real person accept WITHOUT the applicant actually calling the company to reconsider?  For outright declines, I've never heard of this happening. If you're on the cusp, and they want to speak with you before making a decision, then yes, it would go to a person for manual review (you'd probably get a message along the lines of "we're unable to provide a decision at this time. Please contact us at...") But a decline is a decline, and you would have to initiate a recon to plead your case on a decline.

3.)  Are the FICO scores actually used when considering OR are these numbers used by the computers to do instant approvals?  I have a feeling computers use the FICO numbers while humans use both the FICO and the credit reports??  I'm admittedly less knowledgeable on this aspect. But I think that the CCCs look at your FICO on the first pass, so to speak - that is, it's the first thing the algorithm looks at in order to determine if you're eligible for the product. If you meet their minimum score, then they run their algorithm against the data in your report to see if you have any of the behaviors they have deemed a risk. The computer doesn't just look at the number, when making an instant decision. Hence, you have folks who met the "minimum score requirements" still being outright denied for a particular card (at which point, that person may opt to recon.) 

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