Pulled my Scores again, but where do I go from here?

[Chickenpotpie]

Pulled my most recent scores; 

Transunion  6/2010 - 672   Current  - 710

Equifax  6/2010 - 668  Current - 689

I have one card currently, the Orchard Card with a 500 CL .  I had tried for penfed but they said no due to my bk (charged off in 2003) Last baddie was in 2004 which I can't get removed but its PIF.  All the rest of my bills, car, SL, in good standing, no baddies ever on those.

I can't get a higher limit with Orchard, basically I'm nearly paying it off every payday...which to me is kinda senseless.    I do have a very good paying job in excess of 80K/year and I travel. 

I was thinking of trying for Barclays but I hear they don't like a lot of inquiries.  How many is too many?  Last inquiry was from Cap One in August.  I got approved but the limit was ridiculous.

any and all help and guidance appreciated.

Thanks!

-CPP

[Anonymous]

Try a credit union.

I had BK filed in 1999.  Got my first card

in "02  Cap One  low low limit.  Now a cash back rewards

card.

Also I got Applied Bank card which had ridiculous fees but

with BK can't be fussy.  It served it's purpose.  Also had Orchard, HSBC,

Barclays  small limits

It took 10 years before BK fell off and made the 800 club.

It took about 8 years before I got good card.

[Chickenpotpie]

Did that.  Tried Penfed already but got denied. 

-CPP

[haulingthescoreup]

Yes, but try a local credit union. PenFed can be pretty tough to crack.

[Anonymous]

Yes a local credit union gave me a bank

checking account.

CCCU gave me my first good credit card

and my best ever cli. 

[Chickenpotpie]

Beleive me, I tried getting into a local CU.  the one closest to me  (in my town) is open 6 hours a day, less on saturdays.  They do not have a website.  The 2 in the town I work in that I know of I don't qualify for. 

-CPP

[haulingthescoreup]

Do you have any local banks, banks that are genuinely local, as opposed to the local branch of Ripoffs 'R' Us National Bank? Local banks are often as helpful as local credit unions. They're more attuned to the people they serve, as opposed to how their stock is doing on the S&P 500.

You might try doing some water cooler research at work and see if anyone has any good feedback about banks.

[Anonymous]

My suggestion is to call all your truly local banks and CUs, and figure out which ones issue CCs. Then figure out which, if any, process credit apps in house -- that might be hard to figure out. Once you have a target list, then try to get 10 minutes with their loan department in person. Bring your CR, and be prepared to explain yourself.

Basically, your goal is to figure out whether they would reject you outright.

Good luck.

[smc733]

You have a pretty good shot at the Citi Forward card with those scores and that income.

[Chickenpotpie]

My bank is regional.   I already know  I don't have the scores to get a card with them yet as I've asked for their criteria,plus I still have the BK showing on my reports which I know they don't like.   There are a few other banks around here that I think are local but its not looked well upon to go get a card at a bank you're not a member of because people talk.  Move an account and people start asking why.  Personally I'd rather not start any type of talk like that.

I think my scores are good, but I just need to find a card thats bk friendly and of course, utilizes TU.    Is there any reason why Barclays is a bad idea?    Also, I did get an offer in the mail from PenFed for their Amex Card.  From what I've read, Amex isn't BK friendly so I'm not going to blow an inquiry.

-CPP