Citi permanent blacklist after completing debt management program?

[syeb]

Short history: 2008-2009 were not good years financially and I took >50% pay cut.. Mortgage, utilities, etc. were paid in cash but everything else went on CCs.

So I entered into a debt management program in 2010 - Only negotiated reduced interest rates from 2%-10%.  Did not reduce any balances whatsoever. I never missed a payment and fully paid the remaining balances in December, about 7 months early.

My FICOs went from 675 to the 750's almost immediately as the only thing holding it back was the high util, which is now <1%.

So I went on an app spree - not at all to spend as I learned my lesson, but just to get some rewards card which I was never able to do in the past years.

So my wife and I applied and got approved for everything we asked for with high credit lines  - 2X Amex PRG, Capital One Venture ($50k), Cap One platinum ($10k), some Chase cards (2X BA at 19k and 10k), Marriott (11k), and Sapphire (14k), 2X Barclays US Airways $12k, $5k), and Barclasy Arrival Plus ($5k). All within a two month period.  All were instant except the second Chase which needed a 2 minute verification phone call..

The one exception was Citi. I applied for the AA platinum mastercard and was denied and I am restricted due to "you are currently enrolled in a payment arrangement program."

The weird thing is that I received a jumbo mortgage at a preferred rate (<4%) from Citi early last year WHILE I was enrolled in the DMP.

So my question: Does anyone know if this restriction lasts forever? Am I done with Citi for life? They certainly haven't removed the restriction even though the last Citi card was paid and closed in November.

[sjt]

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@syeb wrote:

Short history: 2008-2009 were not good years financially and I took >50% pay cut.. Mortgage, utilities, etc. were paid in cash but everything else went on CCs.

So I entered into a debt management program in 2010 - Only negotiated reduced interest rates from 2%-10%.  Did not reduce any balances whatsoever. I never missed a payment and fully paid the remaining balances in December, about 7 months early.

My FICOs went from 675 to the 750's almost immediately as the only thing holding it back was the high util, which is now <1%.

So I went on an app spree - not at all to spend as I learned my lesson, but just to get some rewards card which I was never able to do in the past years.

So my wife and I applied and got approved for everything we asked for with high credit lines  - 2X Amex PRG, Capital One Venture ($50k), Cap One platinum ($10k), some Chase cards (2X BA at 19k and 10k), Marriott (11k), and Sapphire (14k), 2X Barclays US Airways $12k, $5k), and Barclasy Arrival Plus ($5k). All within a two month period.  All were instant except the second Chase which needed a 2 minute verification phone call..

The one exception was Citi. I applied for the AA platinum mastercard and was denied and I am restricted due to "you are currently enrolled in a payment arrangement program."

The weird thing is that I received a jumbo mortgage at a preferred rate (<4%) from Citi early last year WHILE I was enrolled in the DMP.

So my question: Does anyone know if this restriction lasts forever? Am I done with Citi for life? They certainly haven't removed the restriction even though the last Citi card was paid and closed in November.

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The problem is that Citibank has not updated their records that reflected full payment on the Citibank Account and completion of the DMP. You should call for a recon and tell them you sucessfully completed the program.

[bradlin]

Sounds like a mistake. You paid in full, can't see why they would blacklist you.

[itguy_65]

File a dispute with the credit bureaus, "Inaccurate information", since the management program is completed, the "included in debt management program" is erroneos information.  Be persistent until the information is removed from the Citi account, and any other accounts for which may still be listed.

[syeb]

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@itguy_65 wrote:

File a dispute with the credit bureaus, "Inaccurate information", since the management program is completed, the "included in debt management program" is erroneos information.  Be persistent until the information is removed from the Citi account, and any other accounts for which may still be listed.

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Thanks for the advice. I checked all three CRs and the notation has been removed for the relevant accounts. I called Citi and the credit analyst said that my account restriction needed to be addressed by customer service. So I called CS and as you can guess said that it is handled by credit. A CS manager promised to relay the message to Credit and request to remove the restriction from my account. She promised a letter in 7-10 days, so I guess I'll know shortly. 

I hope it's not a permanent blacklist. 

[sjt]

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@syeb wrote:

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@itguy_65 wrote:

File a dispute with the credit bureaus, "Inaccurate information", since the management program is completed, the "included in debt management program" is erroneos information.  Be persistent until the information is removed from the Citi account, and any other accounts for which may still be listed.

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Thanks for the advice. I checked all three CRs and the notation has been removed for the relevant accounts. I called Citi and the credit analyst said that my account restriction needed to be addressed by customer service. So I called CS and as you can guess said that it is handled by credit. A CS manager promised to relay the message to Credit and request to remove the restriction from my account. She promised a letter in 7-10 days, so I guess I'll know shortly. 

I hope it's not a permanent blacklist. 

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Thanks for the update.

I really think this is an administrative backlog issue on Citibanks end.

When you spoke to the credit analyst did you ask for a reconsideration, and if so did they see that you paid off your account?

[syeb]

I was quite clear that the accounts were paid in full, completed the DMP, and were closed. The analyst didn't really seem to want to deal with it and was confused by the whole situation.

I forgot to mention I also have an old Citi Aadvantage Visa with zero balance and a perfect payment history.

So I hope you're right that it's just a backlog. I would hate to think I'm blacklisted for life.

[sjt]

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@syeb wrote:
I was quite clear that the accounts were paid in full, completed the DMP, and were closed. The analyst didn't really seem to want to deal with it and was confused by the whole situation.

I forgot to mention I also have an old Citi Aadvantage Visa with zero balance and a perfect payment history.

So I hope you're right that it's just a backlog. I would hate to think I'm blacklisted for life.

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I confident that you are not on the 'Blacklist," as you paid your debt in full. Blacklisted folks are people who have a unpaid charge off.

I would call again and explain the situation. Couldnt hurt.

Keep us posted.

[joedtx]

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@syeb wrote:
I was quite clear that the accounts were paid in full, completed the DMP, and were closed. The analyst didn't really seem to want to deal with it and was confused by the whole situation.

I forgot to mention I also have an old Citi Aadvantage Visa with zero balance and a perfect payment history.

So I hope you're right that it's just a backlog. I would hate to think I'm blacklisted for life.

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Try calling back to speak to someone, I say this because Citi is known for the their world class lagging customer service so going the extra mile isn't always what you'll get. But you have satisfied the obligation and are simply trying to get things back in order, be patient and simply state your case speaking with someone else who might be more willing to actually help might make the difference you have nothing to lose good luck. Go for it!

~all the best