@Jazee wrote:If I have a Platinum at $4,500 < 30% UTI and a Flagship at $25,500 85% UTI, 0 inquiries in 24 months, low DTI (20%), no CLI requests in the 3+ years I've had the cards. Credit files locked to prevent hard pull (I'm apping for a new card elsewhere so don't want any HPs prior). Should I request max $8K CLI for one or both cards and if one card does it make a difference which one?
make sure to do the CLI on an iOS device, the new CLI interface doesn't allow you to ask for a certain amount anymore
0/6, 2/12, 7/24
I have some new datapoints to contribute.
I applied in branch for membership, opened a Flagship checking, and applied for a cashRewards Plus credit card all at the same time. I received an instant approval for the card, but the SL at $7,100 was my lowest in over 15 years. That was pretty disappointing considering I keep seeing reports of much higher limits given to forum members with what I viewed as much weaker credit profiles. For reference, my profile at time of application was:
TU FICO8 = 834
AoOA = 37 years
AAoA = 11 years
1 inquiry on TU (over 1 year old)
new accounts = 0/6, 1/12, 2/24
income = low 6 figures
DTI = 1%
existing card limits range from $13k to $53k, with a median of $25k
I received a written approval letter in the mail and read through their stated list of concerns. My internal score was given as 298. After digesting the information, I think I have a better understanding now of what NFCU wants to see to qualify for a higher CL. The qualifications are very different than what I am used to with most commercial banks. The reasons stated were:
- balance status of Navy Federal accounts ($1500 new money in Flagship checking)
- length of Navy Federal membership (brand new)
- direct deposit status with Navy Federal (none)
- no installment account reported (only closed loans on my report)
- number of inquiries on credit bureau report (only 1 which is over a year old)
So my next steps are to meet the SUB spend and to strengthen my relationship with NFCU. I already opened and funded a money market savings account, and I plan to set up a monthly recurring $500 ACH transfer to qualify for direct deposit status. I hope this will be enough to qualify for a nice CLI after 95 days.
@NoHardLimits wrote:I have some new datapoints to contribute.
I applied in branch for membership, opened a Flagship checking, and applied for a cashRewards Plus credit card all at the same time. I received an instant approval for the card, but the SL at $7,100 was my lowest in over 15 years. That was pretty disappointing considering I keep seeing reports of much higher limits given to forum members with what I viewed as much weaker credit profiles. For reference, my profile at time of application was:
TU FICO8 = 834
AoOA = 37 years
AAoA = 11 years
1 inquiry on TU (over 1 year old)
new accounts = 0/6, 1/12, 2/24
income = low 6 figures
DTI = 1%
existing card limits range from $13k to $53k, with a median of $25k
I received a written approval letter in the mail and read through their stated list of concerns. My internal score was given as 298. After digesting the information, I think I have a better understanding now of what NFCU wants to see to qualify for a higher CL.
The qualifications are very different than what I am used to with most commercial banks.
The reasons stated were:
- balance status of Navy Federal accounts ($1500 new money in Flagship checking)
- length of Navy Federal membership (brand new)
- direct deposit status with Navy Federal (none)
- no installment account reported (only closed loans on my report)
- number of inquiries on credit bureau report (only 1 which is over a year old)
So my next steps are to meet the SUB spend and to strengthen my relationship with NFCU. I already opened and funded a money market savings account, and I plan to set up a monthly recurring $500 ACH transfer to qualify for direct deposit status. I hope this will be enough to qualify for a nice CLI after 95 days.
^^ THIS @NoHardLimits. Navy is not your typical lender and I'm surprised you hadn't picked up on that nuance before your unexpected outcome. They may be the most relationship-driven bank or credit union of which I am aware. While other lenders MAY have some type of internal scoring, Navy's is known outside of the credit union and they even share it sometimes. So yes, length of membership combined with the depth and quality of relationship is often as important, if not moreso, than FICO. This is why we usually encourage members to open accounts and apply for one of their 'lesser' cards like cashRewards before moving onto cards like Flagship Rewards. We've seen new members approved for $25K on FSR but we've seen our share of declines also. You're also almost guaranteed to have a higher SL on cards 2 or 3 with Navy.
My first SL with Navy was $10K on a Platinum card in 2019. Later, they actually denied me for a More Rewards due to excessive credit-seeking, even though I had a very high internal score (427 on a scale of 100 to 450) and high FICO (850.) But I was approved for the Flagship Rewards at $25K eventually and my limits grew quickly, most at $8K every six months. At about four years, I reached their maximum lending limit of $80K which I have all on my FSR. There are many data points in all of those threads for you to review. I also started a topic related to NFCU: New Accountholder Data Points echoing some of your similar observations and trying to reach an understanding about what to expect and how to grow the relationship. Ultimately, it's about time and to some degree, the quality before they open the coffers more fully.
@Aim_High wrote:
@NoHardLimits wrote:I have some new datapoints to contribute.
I applied in branch for membership, opened a Flagship checking, and applied for a cashRewards Plus credit card all at the same time. I received an instant approval for the card, but the SL at $7,100 was my lowest in over 15 years. That was pretty disappointing considering I keep seeing reports of much higher limits given to forum members with what I viewed as much weaker credit profiles. For reference, my profile at time of application was:
TU FICO8 = 834
AoOA = 37 years
AAoA = 11 years
1 inquiry on TU (over 1 year old)
new accounts = 0/6, 1/12, 2/24
income = low 6 figures
DTI = 1%
existing card limits range from $13k to $53k, with a median of $25k
I received a written approval letter in the mail and read through their stated list of concerns. My internal score was given as 298. After digesting the information, I think I have a better understanding now of what NFCU wants to see to qualify for a higher CL.
The qualifications are very different than what I am used to with most commercial banks.
The reasons stated were:
- balance status of Navy Federal accounts ($1500 new money in Flagship checking)
- length of Navy Federal membership (brand new)
- direct deposit status with Navy Federal (none)
- no installment account reported (only closed loans on my report)
- number of inquiries on credit bureau report (only 1 which is over a year old)
So my next steps are to meet the SUB spend and to strengthen my relationship with NFCU. I already opened and funded a money market savings account, and I plan to set up a monthly recurring $500 ACH transfer to qualify for direct deposit status. I hope this will be enough to qualify for a nice CLI after 95 days.
^^ THIS @NoHardLimits. Navy is not your typical lender and I'm surprised you hadn't picked up on that nuance before your unexpected outcome. They may be the most relationship-driven bank or credit union of which I am aware. While other lenders MAY have some type of internal scoring, Navy's is known outside of the credit union and they even share it sometimes. So yes, length of membership combined with the depth and quality of relationship is often as important, if not moreso, than FICO. This is why we usually encourage members to open accounts and apply for one of their 'lesser' cards like cashRewards before moving onto cards like Flagship Rewards. We've seen new members approved for $25K on FSR but we've seen our share of declines also. You're also almost guaranteed to have a higher SL on cards 2 or 3 with Navy.
My first SL with Navy was $10K on a Platinum card in 2019. Later, they actually denied me for a More Rewards due to excessive credit-seeking, even though I had a very high internal score (427 on a scale of 100 to 450) and high FICO (850.) But I was approved for the Flagship Rewards at $25K eventually and my limits grew quickly, most at $8K every six months. At about four years, I reached their maximum lending limit of $80K which I have all on my FSR. There are many data points in all of those threads for you to review. I also started a topic related to NFCU: New Accountholder Data Points echoing some of your similar observations and trying to reach an understanding about what to expect and how to grow the relationship. Ultimately, it's about time and to some degree, the quality before they open the coffers more fully.
Thanks @Aim_High for the links to more reading material for me.
I knew that NFCU valued relationships, but I was overconfident about the strength of my credit profile being sufficient. The only concession I made towards building a relationship was opening the Flagship checking with a deposit of $1500.
I actually wanted to apply for the Flagship Rewards credit card with the 40k point SUB, but knew enough to opt for a lesser card on my first try (cashRewards Plus with the $200 SUB). I'm now torn between applying for FR as my second card right after the 4th statement cut, or if I should just request a CLI on my cRP and hope for the maximum $8k increase. I wish limit reallocations were still permitted without having to pretend to need a balance transfer.
@NoHardLimits wrote:I have some new datapoints to contribute.
I applied in branch for membership, opened a Flagship checking, and applied for a cashRewards Plus credit card all at the same time. I received an instant approval for the card, but the SL at $7,100 was my lowest in over 15 years. That was pretty disappointing considering I keep seeing reports of much higher limits given to forum members with what I viewed as much weaker credit profiles. For reference, my profile at time of application was:
TU FICO8 = 834
AoOA = 37 years
AAoA = 11 years
1 inquiry on TU (over 1 year old)
new accounts = 0/6, 1/12, 2/24
income = low 6 figures
DTI = 1%
existing card limits range from $13k to $53k, with a median of $25k
I received a written approval letter in the mail and read through their stated list of concerns. My internal score was given as 298. After digesting the information, I think I have a better understanding now of what NFCU wants to see to qualify for a higher CL. The qualifications are very different than what I am used to with most commercial banks. The reasons stated were:
- balance status of Navy Federal accounts ($1500 new money in Flagship checking)
- length of Navy Federal membership (brand new)
- direct deposit status with Navy Federal (none)
- no installment account reported (only closed loans on my report)
- number of inquiries on credit bureau report (only 1 which is over a year old)
So my next steps are to meet the SUB spend and to strengthen my relationship with NFCU. I already opened and funded a money market savings account, and I plan to set up a monthly recurring $500 ACH transfer to qualify for direct deposit status. I hope this will be enough to qualify for a nice CLI after 95 days.
I had a similar experience to you. Got the same exact credit limit on a CashRewards+ though I only had $500 in my checking account at the time. My mortgage is with NFCU though, and I have been with them for 5 years. I have not received the letter yet, so I do not know my internal score. I want this card to grow, so I am thinking about moving my direct deposit over. I am not sure what else I can do 
.
@PlaidRaptor wrote:
@NoHardLimits wrote:I have some new datapoints to contribute.
I applied in branch for membership, opened a Flagship checking, and applied for a cashRewards Plus credit card all at the same time. I received an instant approval for the card, but the SL at $7,100 was my lowest in over 15 years. That was pretty disappointing considering I keep seeing reports of much higher limits given to forum members with what I viewed as much weaker credit profiles. For reference, my profile at time of application was:
TU FICO8 = 834
AoOA = 37 years
AAoA = 11 years
1 inquiry on TU (over 1 year old)
new accounts = 0/6, 1/12, 2/24
income = low 6 figures
DTI = 1%
existing card limits range from $13k to $53k, with a median of $25k
I received a written approval letter in the mail and read through their stated list of concerns. My internal score was given as 298. After digesting the information, I think I have a better understanding now of what NFCU wants to see to qualify for a higher CL. The qualifications are very different than what I am used to with most commercial banks. The reasons stated were:
- balance status of Navy Federal accounts ($1500 new money in Flagship checking)
- length of Navy Federal membership (brand new)
- direct deposit status with Navy Federal (none)
- no installment account reported (only closed loans on my report)
- number of inquiries on credit bureau report (only 1 which is over a year old)
So my next steps are to meet the SUB spend and to strengthen my relationship with NFCU. I already opened and funded a money market savings account, and I plan to set up a monthly recurring $500 ACH transfer to qualify for direct deposit status. I hope this will be enough to qualify for a nice CLI after 95 days.
I had a similar experience to you. Got the same exact credit limit on a CashRewards+ though I only had $500 in my checking account at the time. My mortgage is with NFCU though, and I have been with them for 5 years. I have not received the letter yet, so I do not know my internal score. I want this card to grow, so I am thinking about moving my direct deposit over. I am not sure what else I can do
Sorry to see that you also got a $7100 SL even with some history with NFCU including a mortgage. Since my last datapoint, I started a recurring direct deposti via ACH transfer and also opened a small CD. I'm about halfway through my spend for the cRP card's SUB now, so I'm just continuing on with this plan until I'm eligible to request a CLI.
@NoHardLimits wrote:
Sorry to see that you also got a $7100 SL even with some history with NFCU including a mortgage. Since my last datapoint, I started a recurring direct deposti via ACH transfer and also opened a small CD. I'm about halfway through my spend for the cRP card's SUB now, so I'm just continuing on with this plan until I'm eligible to request a CLI.
Good luck on your future CLI 
. I moved my direct deposit over, so we will see what happens for me in about three months. Please keep us updated on what happens for you.