I applied recently was initially declined, but called and developed a rapore with a supervisor in their "credit decisioning" area. I re-applied, explained some of the older negative stuff, showed a trend of steady improvements and was then approved for a $1000 trade line.
I found them (Merrick Bank) to be nice folks, once you get past the initial app phase. One thing is for sure, though... they have some strict minimum scores they'll allow (using TransUnion and ExperianFICO and their own internal scoring) but after that, it's all about showing that you're on a solid positive trend. And I'm not for certain what those minimum scores are, but when I was in the low 500's I didn't qualify. Once I got above the 550 mark, things were more promising.
The best aprt of all of this? I can now entertain clients at our favorite restaurant and Hooter's points at the same time... it's all about the wings, right?
Message Edited by CreditHawk on 07-28-2007 10:02 AM