UPDATE: So after responding to the denial with my reasoning (listed below), NFCU came back and compromised: we split the difference and I got an increase to $8,000, which I must say, was very nice of them. I truly had no issue with the denial of the increase, it was the reason behind the denial that had confused me. They did speak with me and let me know, bascially, that I *can*, in fact, use household income and that should not have been cited as the major factor in the decision. The real issue, it turns out, was that I just simply asked too early. Go figure.
At any rate, I have a modest increase and they informed me I'd need to wait 6 months before requesting an additional increase. So hey: just in time for Christmas shopping! 
So I'm wondering if anyone out there has run into this issue with NFCU.
I have a cashRewards card, which was opened a couple of months ago. Yes, I know there's a "method" to how one asks for a CLI, but I thought I'd try my luck 60ish days in for funsies, since my credit score is significantly higher than when I opened the card. I was actually given the message to provide more information, specficially for income verification. Well, I was excited to hear that, because our household income is about $85k (of which I earn $50k base), and I was asking for an increase from $6,000 to $10,000.
I was asked to supply one of any number of documents to verify, so I chose our most recent tax return. Imagine my shock when the CLI request came back denied - due to the inability to verify income! Specifically, they said the following in a secured message:
"Based on the documentation provided, your personal income that we were able to verify does not allow for additional credit to be granted. We are unable to use household income to grant additional credit on your credit card account. Apologize we could not provide a more favorable response at this time. Should you have additional questions, please let us know."
Well, I immediately had to take issue with that. As I understand it, household income is completely legit to take into account for ability to repay, presuming the applicant has reasonable access to the funds. As I mentioned to NFCU in the email containing our tax return, I use my NFCU cashRewards Visa primarily for household expenses: groceries, utility bill, cable - even rent. My wife and I also share a joint account at Capital One. It is therefore *extremely* reasonable to presume I have access to these funds - otherwise I'm paying all our bills! I also pointed out that my first two statements - both $1200+ spends - were PIF.
So...I'm waiting to hear their response, but I'm a little irritated about the reasoning. I have no problem with the denial, but if this is what they're basing these decisions on, how on earth would any non-working spouse ever get a credit card? I feel like there's another reason they aren't telling me, so I'm a bit annoyed. Besides: my own income is enough to support that small of an increase. Doesn't jive to me - and there wasn't even a counter! Seems odd, no?
Any advice or previous experience from my fellow Ficans?
Thanks!
@Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I don't have any experience with this, but I wanted to know if you could come back and post your results. I am a homemaker that just got a NFCU card and I am sure I will probably run into this problem when I go for a CLI. Thanks in advance!
I'll definitely update when I hear back.
@Anonymous wrote:You're not alone in this.. I make just a tad under 100k a year and my partner makes a tad over 100K a year.. So, I used our household income to try and get the Flagship to 80 from 42 and was told that I couldn't use our household income.. although - everything from checking to the house is in both of our names, we are married and have a child together.. Oh well.. 79k total with them I think in lines.. I am ok with it..
*oh and it didn't matter that we had over $80k in various funds with them from checking to cd's..
Yeah, it's not going to change my life, but given how they hand out credit otherwise, this seems like a bullcrap reason. More than anything, I'd like an honest underwriting reason...or, hey, tell me you don't like my face. But don't ask for verification of something and then ignore it when I provide it.
I'm pretty sure NFCU is "Personal income". All too quickly I see members trying to tap out CU's for these crazy limits by any means necessary lol Honestly, most financial institutions, credit card companies, etc., are catching on to all the catch phrases, fudging of information, stretching of the truth, credit rebuilding messages and so forth lol If they deny someone a CLI after a seond consideration and reviewing personal documentation it should be like a flag going off to the consumer. As previously stated, either you've hit their internal limits or numbers aren't matching up. At the end of the day it doesn't really matter how much money, cd's, investments or deposit boxes you have with an institution---they know you can very well liquidate and cashout when a life financial crisis hits. You can run up the charge cards and declare bankruptcy. Remember they have pulled an AR consumer profile recently and they may have seen something that was concerning them as well upon manual review. Things that appear okay to us may not be okay to them i.e. actively seeking credit, high credit limits with available credit, large charges with trends in carrying balances on multiple accounts with minimal or slightly higher payments....they are so so so many things to consider playing the devil's advocate.
I never use my spouse's income for any of my credit applications..just a personal practice. I don't care if they ask for household income or not...I only report my income.
NFCU is one of the best CU's around and it's funny sometimes to watch members lash out knowing they couldn't go to their local bank, Chase or BOA and receive the same credit lines...just my .22 lol
I hear what everyone is saying - and perhaps that's the case - but it sure doesn't seem like NFCU has been playing that game with most CLIs I've seen. Regardless: I make $50k base and my scores - which I need to update in my siggy - are all above 680. Kinda weird $10k wouldn't be justified. We shall see!