FNBO is messing with my head

[SDMarik]

I have been wanting the FNBO Evergreen for a while, I didn't pull the trigger fast enough and the last few times I tried to pre-qual I got the letter that said "outside of marketing area"

Last week, I received a mailer from them telling me I was pre-selected for the FNBO Getaway, not really the card I wanted but I was excited and figured I would try the pre-qual site again. No offers. Got the letter yesterday telling me I was outside of their marketing area.

They sent me marketing material to my area, and then told me I was outside of their marketing area. I have no problem waiting, as I have other cards I can get to hold me over, just found it amusing. 

[coldfusion]

BBVA pre-acquisition and PNC each used to follow similar processes where they would send targeted preapproval offers for specific cards to potential clients outside of their marketing areas.   BBVA also at one point had different footprints for different cards, for example if you lived in Massachusetts you could apply for a Clearpoints card but you could not apply for the Select.   Massachusetts was also outside of PNC's footprint but they started sending targeted preapproval offers and bought promotional rights during radio sportscasts about 4 years ago and about 2 years ago opened multiple branches in the metro Boston area.

FNBO used to be tightly georestricted as well but has been gradually evolving.  Several years ago they finally came out with a segregated online service including a (not very good) credit card to expand their footprint and it's really only been the last couple of years that they've started to expand the footprint for their core cards.   It could be that they are following a similar path and later will either send you a targeted offer or update their footprint so that you're able to apply.

[Anonymalous]

Sounds like one hand not talking to the other. There have been some recent reports of FNBO shrinking their geofence, and it probably didn't make it to their marketing yet. Remember, they're not that big a bank, and they don't seem to be as completely automated as the really large ones.

[SDMarik]

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@coldfusion wrote:

BBVA pre-acquisition and PNC each used to follow similar processes where they would send targeted preapproval offers for specific cards to potential clients outside of their marketing areas.   BBVA also at one point had different footprints for different cards, for example if you lived in Massachusetts you could apply for a Clearpoints card but you could not apply for the Select.   Massachusetts was also outside of PNC's footprint but they started sending targeted preapproval offers and bought promotional rights during radio sportscasts about 4 years ago and about 2 years ago opened multiple branches in the metro Boston area.

FNBO used to be tightly georestricted as well but has been gradually evolving.  Several years ago they finally came out with a segregated online service including a (not very good) credit card to expand their footprint and it's really only been the last couple of years that they've started to expand the footprint for their core cards.   It could be that they are following a similar path and later will either send you a targeted offer or update their footprint so that you're able to apply.

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Makes sense, it seems like they are playing with their geofencing, the pre-qual used to be successful, and the one day it just stopped working. I never recevied a single mailer while the card was available to me, and have recevied 2 since it hasn't been.

[SUPERSQUID]

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@SDMarik wrote:

I have been wanting the FNBO Evergreen for a while, I didn't pull the trigger fast enough and the last few times I tried to pre-qual I got the letter that said "outside of marketing area"

Last week, I received a mailer from them telling me I was pre-selected for the FNBO Getaway, not really the card I wanted but I was excited and figured I would try the pre-qual site again. No offers. Got the letter yesterday telling me I was outside of their marketing area.

They sent me marketing material to my area, and then told me I was outside of their marketing area. I have no problem waiting, as I have other cards I can get to hold me over, just found it amusing. 

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Dont feel bad. a while back every time i checked the FNBO prequal it offered me the secured card. ,Lately the last 2 times i did the prequal they sent me a letter that i was outside their marketing area yet my local union offers cards thru them, HUH?

[RehabbingANDBlabbing]

Maybe it's no big loss. After all, there are a lot of 2% cash back Visas on the market these days. I am a little frustrated with them because they CLD'd me at 6 months by $1,100. I had been carrying a balance on my Getway card (for 0%) and they were mad about it. Meanwhile, I also have the Evergreen, which is paid in full. Did they touch it? No. But it leaves a bad taste in my mouth considering I haven't even had the card a year and my credit hasn't changed.

[Anonymalous]

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@RehabbingANDBlabbing wrote:

Maybe it's no big loss. After all, there are a lot of 2% cash back Visas on the market these days. I am a little frustrated with them because they CLD'd me at 6 months by $1,100. I had been carrying a balance on my Getway card (for 0%) and they were mad about it. Meanwhile, I also have the Evergreen, which is paid in full. Did they touch it? No. But it leaves a bad taste in my mouth considering I haven't even had the card a year and my credit hasn't changed.

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What was the utilization on your Getaway, and for how long? I'm going to have a significant balance on my Evergreen for a little while, so if FNBO is sensitive to utilization, any DPs you care to share would be useful.

[James3]

I've had an FNBO card for 20 years. I recently asked for an older 1% cashback card to be upgraded to the Evergreen 2% cashback card. The first phone rep told me no, so I called back a few months later. I was told no again, but asked if I could hear the reasoning. After being transferred to a supervisor, I repeated my desire to product change to the Evergreen card. His response was, "Sure, we'd love to get you into that card. Thanks for asking about it." 

My credit scores are all above 800, and I've never had a late payment with FNBO. I assume someone looked at my banking history before the decision was made. I've always received good service from this bank, even when the response doesn't go my way. I recommend you call, and talk about why the Evergreen card is perfect for your spending habits. If you don't ask, you don't get. 

[SUPERSQUID]

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@Anonymalous wrote:

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@RehabbingANDBlabbing wrote:

Maybe it's no big loss. After all, there are a lot of 2% cash back Visas on the market these days. I am a little frustrated with them because they CLD'd me at 6 months by $1,100. I had been carrying a balance on my Getway card (for 0%) and they were mad about it. Meanwhile, I also have the Evergreen, which is paid in full. Did they touch it? No. But it leaves a bad taste in my mouth considering I haven't even had the card a year and my credit hasn't changed.

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What was the utilization on your Getaway, and for how long? I'm going to have a significant balance on my Evergreen for a little while, so if FNBO is sensitive to utilization, any DPs you care to share would be useful.

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IMHO, I think its bs that cards give you a limit and then get squeemish about you using a chunk of it. i dont want a card like that. citi balance chased me many years ago and i paid them off, closed them, and never looked back. i usually keep a low util under 10 pct overall but things occasionally crop up that require some spending, needs not wants.

[805orbust]

I had Barclay's balance Chase me on the JetBlue card...  Puhleeeeese,  I sent them to the hot place and posted pictures here of the shredded card 🤣