Consumers CU denied with 778 FICO

[core]

I have been a Consumers CU member for about 3 years and keep 3-5k in my account at all times.  I applied for the CCU Signature Visa to have a 3% grocery card.  I used the klunky web application and asked for $5k.

TU FICO '08 was 778, 3 INQs on TU (1 on the last 6 months), and only 1 new account in the past 6 months, which was Penfed.  Yes Penfed, the CU that has probably denied the Pope a card at some point.  But Penfed had no problem approving me.

A day after the app I get an email saying I was denied and I'd get a letter.  The day after that I get an email from a different person asking for a phone number so we can proceed with the app.  (Ummm, ok, that's weird?)  So finally a couple days later she calls me back.

She said they are unable to approve me for any card for any limit.  I asked why.  "Well we saw the inquiry yesterday from Fort Knox.  Also you have a lot of credit cards but don't have high balances".  Sheesh.  ONE inquiry from another credit union and they are all pissy.  And I guess they like people who max out cards.

I am speechless.  And I thought Penfed was bad.  If this is the way CCU treats existing members I'd sure hate to apply cold.

[gdale6]

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@core wrote:

I have been a Consumers CU member for about 3 years and keep 3-5k in my account at all times.  I applied for the CCU Signature Visa to have a 3% grocery card.  I used the klunky web application and asked for $5k.

TU FICO '08 was 778, 3 INQs on TU (1 on the last 6 months), and only 1 new account in the past 6 months, which was Penfed.  Yes Penfed, the CU that has probably denied the Pope a card at some point.  But Penfed had no problem approving me.

A day after the app I get an email saying I was denied and I'd get a letter.  The day after that I get an email from a different person asking for a phone number so we can proceed with the app.  (Ummm, ok, that's weird?)  So finally a couple days later she calls me back.

She said they are unable to approve me for any card for any limit.  I asked why.  "Well we saw the inquiry yesterday from Fort Knox.  Also you have a lot of credit cards but don't have high balances".  Sheesh.  ONE inquiry from another credit union and they are all pissy.  And I guess they like people who max out cards.

I am speechless.  And I thought Penfed was bad.  If this is the way CCU treats existing members I'd sure hate to apply cold.

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They are calling you an "Egyptian" in nice language..

[Anonymous]

"Pyramiding debts -presently have maximum open-ended credit."

"Utilization of 0% of open ended credit lines."

"Increase utilization or reduce open ended credit"

[core]

I see.  I knew Penfed was known for the pyramiding debt excuse, but hadn't heard that about Consumers CU.  Not once, and I thought I did my homework before the app.  I honestly thought CCU was going to be a slam dunk, which is why I was mildly irritated.  If they want me to "Increase utilization or reduce open ended credit" then fine, I'll post some huge balances and try again in 6 months. 

Then again maybe in 6 mos there will be another virtually uncapped 3% grocery card out there and I can dispense with the idea of getting a CCU card.  I do like the idea of 5% interest on my checking though.  For that you need one of their Visas.

[B335is]

These CUs are all the same. They see available credit as a bigger risk than negatives on a CR. I don't get that mentality and will never buy into their point of view.

[Anonymous]

That's sucks, glad that I didn't  try this one.  I thought I was going to get the pyramiding debt reason from PenFed for a denial but for some reason I slipped thru the cracks.  Not using enough of your limit has to be the biggest crock of s**t for an excuse ever.

[joedtx]

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@core wrote:

I have been a Consumers CU member for about 3 years and keep 3-5k in my account at all times.  I applied for the CCU Signature Visa to have a 3% grocery card.  I used the klunky web application and asked for $5k.

TU FICO '08 was 778, 3 INQs on TU (1 on the last 6 months), and only 1 new account in the past 6 months, which was Penfed.  Yes Penfed, the CU that has probably denied the Pope a card at some point.  But Penfed had no problem approving me.

A day after the app I get an email saying I was denied and I'd get a letter.  The day after that I get an email from a different person asking for a phone number so we can proceed with the app.  (Ummm, ok, that's weird?)  So finally a couple days later she calls me back.

She said they are unable to approve me for any card for any limit.  I asked why.  "Well we saw the inquiry yesterday from Fort Knox.  Also you have a lot of credit cards but don't have high balances".  Sheesh.  ONE inquiry from another credit union and they are all pissy.  And I guess they like people who max out cards.

I am speechless.  And I thought Penfed was bad.  If this is the way CCU treats existing members I'd sure hate to apply cold.

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Sorry they 'CCU" which might as well be 'CCCP' for the way they treated you  obviously since they consider your responsible handling of your finances not in their interest maybe you should consider getting an AMEX Blue Everyday it will give you the 3% you are looking for groceries, plus with your file you are an instant approval 

[core]

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@joedtx wrote:
maybe you should consider getting an AMEX Blue Everyday it will give you the 3% you are looking for groceries

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The cap is too low on that one, if it's the one that I'm thinking.  With CCU the spending cap is effectively 200k per year, which is why I wanted this one.  I do have the Amex old blue which is good for 50k/yr and that's adequate, but I have a feeling that card will go away in the future and I wanted a backup plan.

Before anyone cries "MS'er, foul", no there is a farm-type store near here which codes as a grocery store and I buy all of my tools and tractor supplies there.  Or Walmart when I'm in a pinch, which also codes as groceries here.

[Berk]

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@joedtx wrote:

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@core wrote:

I have been a Consumers CU member for about 3 years and keep 3-5k in my account at all times.  I applied for the CCU Signature Visa to have a 3% grocery card.  I used the klunky web application and asked for $5k.

TU FICO '08 was 778, 3 INQs on TU (1 on the last 6 months), and only 1 new account in the past 6 months, which was Penfed.  Yes Penfed, the CU that has probably denied the Pope a card at some point.  But Penfed had no problem approving me.

A day after the app I get an email saying I was denied and I'd get a letter.  The day after that I get an email from a different person asking for a phone number so we can proceed with the app.  (Ummm, ok, that's weird?)  So finally a couple days later she calls me back.

She said they are unable to approve me for any card for any limit.  I asked why.  "Well we saw the inquiry yesterday from Fort Knox.  Also you have a lot of credit cards but don't have high balances".  Sheesh.  ONE inquiry from another credit union and they are all pissy.  And I guess they like people who max out cards.

I am speechless.  And I thought Penfed was bad.  If this is the way CCU treats existing members I'd sure hate to apply cold.

---

Sorry they 'CCU" which might as well be 'CCCP' for the way they treated you  obviously since they consider your responsible handling of your finances not in their interest maybe you should consider getting an AMEX Blue Everyday it will give you the 3% you are looking for groceries, plus with your file you are an instant approval 

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I have 1 CU credit card that I have had for years. It has a 2.5K limit. It has had that limit for about 5 years. I was given an auto CLI of $500 5 years ago because of the responsible way I handle credit. To try to get a CLI requires a HP so I don't even bother to ask. Naturally, it is my lowest TL out of all my accounts. Over the holidays they sent me an offer ffor their Signature Visa. Right in the trash.

[mitchblue]

I guess I don't understand why it's bad they look at available credit? Seems responsible..