Feeling Defeated After Another NFCU Denial — Please Weigh In! !

[Joeysalaaa]

Hey everyone — I’m feeling pretty crushed today after yet another denial from Navy Federal. Hoping to get some insight and maybe a little encouragement because I honestly thought I had this one in the bag this time. 😞

Background from 50–60 Days Ago (When First Denied)

When I first applied, my internal score was 228, and the reasons listed for the decline were:

• Status of balances with Navy Federal (I assume because I had low balances, minimal usage, and no Flagship Checking)

• Too many inquiries (I had ~9/12 at the time, 6 of which were later removed as fraudulent/unauthorized)

• Secured loan lack of (?? I’ve had 3 paid‑off auto loans and 1 current, so that was confusing)

At that time:

• I was only pre‑qualifying for the secured card ONLY (which I already have at $5k).

• I paid it in full several times a month.

• Card was about 2 months old then.

• TU file had a large collection (about $10k rental) that has since been removed.

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 Updated Current Stats

• FICO 9: 778

• Inquiries: 3/6 (all Navy), 5/12, 7/24

• Utilization: 1% total

• Total CL: ~$30k

• Income: $250K+

• AAoA: 15 years

• No baddies!

• NFCU Balances: $15.6k total now

  • $5k of that in Flagship Checking, used daily for 45+ days

  • $140/$5k balance on secured card for light usage

• Now pre‑qualifying for ALL cards on NFCU’s site (and confirmed they did a fresh soft pull after I thawed TU).

---

Goal

I was aiming for the Platinum — mainly for the low APR and potential future balance transfer flexibility.
I already have the Cash Secured ($5k) and was hoping it would graduate at 3-6 months, so I didn’t want to go that route again.

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IMPORTANT: Authorized User Situation (Need Advice!)

Something I just remembered is that I’m also an Authorized User on my ex’s NFCU AMEX More Rewards — $34k balance on a $36k limit — and it’s currently in a hardship program.
We’re amicable and both contributing $1,000 monthly toward it, but it’s still reporting nearly 95% utilization.

Could THIS be what’s tanking me with NFCU, even though I’m not legally liable for this debt?
Should I remove myself as an AU even though I’m helping pay it down?

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TL;DR

I’ve worked really hard — cleaned up my reports, grew my NFCU relationship, added meaningful deposits, got my FICO up near 780 — and still got denied. It’s discouraging.

Would love your insight — especially if anyone has seen AU utilization or internal relationship factors weigh this heavily in NFCU’s decisions.

Thanks, everyone — appreciate this community so much.

[Pppoolboy]

I certainly would remove myself from that AU account.  

[Zoostation1]

Even without the AU issue, 3/6 is still on the high side and being all with Navy doesn't bode for approval odds imo. The AU balance is definitely hurting on top of that.  If you can get yourself removed as the AU that will definitely help, but I still wouldn't apply for anything for another 6 months minimum if it were me.

[FicoMike0]

First, being anyway associated with a maxed account certainly isn't helping.

Second, your time horizon is short. Having a checking for 45 days is like yesterday. 

Your score is good, id say the 3/6 inquired is a big problem. I had penfed turn me down with 2/6 and a score of 850. Too many recent accounts or inquiries is disqualifying for many banks and cus.

Let the relationship age a few months, get down to 2/6 or 1/6. 

Navy is big on relationship. Are you doing direct deposit? They like that. Keep using the checking. Open a Special EasyStartSM Certificate, as little as $50, it's another account, more relationship, good rate to.

[Joeysalaaa]

Thank you !!!

The AU account I am removing tomorrow ! Also, I have seen personally friends and family get approved out the gate w NFCU with scores 640-660 for $20k so tbh NFCU is another algorithm driven lender just like big banks sadly. 3/6 inquiries is not ideal but far from crazy IMO! Especially when all the same lender LOL !! That said I appreciate your info -- here is what is interesting, they did not pull my credit today. I checked twice on TU, nothing. So I think they used the same pull from 29 days ago -- i thought it was at least 45 days but I was wrong! 

If Recon fails after removing AU, I will heed advice and just wait - it is just irritating to see so many others get huge approvals with far worse scores and profiles, but it is what it is !  

[Pppoolboy]

NFCU was a slow-play for me.  The first CCs they gave me were for $500.  And that was with ~710 FICOs.  I was pissed.  Canceled one of them and kept the other.  In a couple of years I was able to incrementally raise the limit of that to $20,500 and also applied for a Flagship card for which they gave me a starting limit of $25,000.  Now my limits with NFCU cards are higher than any others.  Stick with 'em; time flies.

[Patient957]

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@Joeysalaaa wrote:

Should I remove myself as an AU even though I’m helping pay it down?

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Yes.  It's not helping you.

[titancylinder]

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@Joeysalaaa wrote:

Hey everyone — I’m feeling pretty crushed today after yet another denial from Navy Federal. Hoping to get some insight and maybe a little encouragement because I honestly thought I had this one in the bag this time. 😞

Background from 50–60 Days Ago (When First Denied)

When I first applied, my internal score was 228, and the reasons listed for the decline were:

• Status of balances with Navy Federal (I assume because I had low balances, minimal usage, and no Flagship Checking)

• Too many inquiries (I had ~9/12 at the time, 6 of which were later removed as fraudulent/unauthorized)

• Secured loan lack of (?? I’ve had 3 paid‑off auto loans and 1 current, so that was confusing)

At that time:

• I was only pre‑qualifying for the secured card ONLY (which I already have at $5k).

• I paid it in full several times a month.

• Card was about 2 months old then.

• TU file had a large collection (about $10k rental) that has since been removed.

---

 Updated Current Stats

• FICO 9: 778

• Inquiries: 3/6 (all Navy), 5/12, 7/24

• Utilization: 1% total

• Total CL: ~$30k

• Income: $250K+

• AAoA: 15 years

• No baddies!

• NFCU Balances: $15.6k total now

  • $5k of that in Flagship Checking, used daily for 45+ days

  • $140/$5k balance on secured card for light usage

• Now pre‑qualifying for ALL cards on NFCU’s site (and confirmed they did a fresh soft pull after I thawed TU).

---

Goal

I was aiming for the Platinum — mainly for the low APR and potential future balance transfer flexibility.
I already have the Cash Secured ($5k) and was hoping it would graduate at 3-6 months, so I didn’t want to go that route again.

---

IMPORTANT: Authorized User Situation (Need Advice!)

Something I just remembered is that I’m also an Authorized User on my ex’s NFCU AMEX More Rewards — $34k balance on a $36k limit — and it’s currently in a hardship program.
We’re amicable and both contributing $1,000 monthly toward it, but it’s still reporting nearly 95% utilization.

Could THIS be what’s tanking me with NFCU, even though I’m not legally liable for this debt?
Should I remove myself as an AU even though I’m helping pay it down?

---

TL;DR

I’ve worked really hard — cleaned up my reports, grew my NFCU relationship, added meaningful deposits, got my FICO up near 780 — and still got denied. It’s discouraging.

Would love your insight — especially if anyone has seen AU utilization or internal relationship factors weigh this heavily in NFCU’s decisions.

Thanks, everyone — appreciate this community so much.

---

Don't rely on Navy's pre qualification tool, it's about as accurate as me hitting a bulls eye from 300 yards away. (Not accurate). As others have stated, wait 6 months for your reports to age a bit with the updated collections items. Navy isn't sensitive to income like others. I have a friend that makes 35k a year and is at the max aggregate of 80k across his Flagship and More Rewards cards. DTI is more important and this factors not just revolving but also installment debt. I recommed setting up a direct deposit with Navy. I deposit 500 a month in my Navy Account and I swear that opened doors for me. If you really want to play it safe, do the direct deposit, maybe a small Easy Start or Cert Spec, and wait for your secured card to age 1 year. Deposit account balances don't really factor in lending like they would with BOA.