OK, so when my EQ score reached 670 I felt confident and applied for membership to NFCU and was approved, then the next day app'd for the CC only to be denied. It was my first app in 1 year. This was 01/29/2017. I've read so many approvals here, but alas I wasn't one of them. My UTI, mind you, was at 27%. It had to be the reason.
I worked hard to get balances down and now my EQ is 689 and my UTI is 10% and I app'd again tonight. $8k instant approval for the Cash Rewards. Yay! And $15k approval for the CLOC. Deep breath, this is a milestone for me. I really, really want to establish a relationship with a major CU and this makes me very happy.
My post is for the data points for others. If your score is fair/good and you've been denied, don't stress as it could be your UTI. I have 1 CO from 6.5 years ago, but the primary reason for initial denial was the utilization. So, my advice if you're in a similar boat is to wait 3 months, get your UTI to 10% or below and re-app. If I can do it, you can too.
PS, I also had a PenFed CC denial a month ago, but that monster is its own battle -- to take place another day. I've learned so much here. Thank you, MyFICO members!
