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While there is an existing abbreviation thread, there are a number of initials I've seen being used that aren't listed on the old one. So here's an update in alphabetical order:
AA = adverse action (lowered credit limits, closed cards, negative reports on credit, etc.)
AF = annual fee
AMEX = American Express
AOR = "App O Rama" (see App Spree)
App = apply / application
App Spree = applying for several cards and/or credit lines in a short period of time
AU = additional user / authorized user
Baddies = negative factors on credit reports
BC/OBC = American Express Blue Cash / "Old Blue Cash"
BCE = American Express Blue Cash Everyday
BCP = American Express Blue Cash Preferred
BK/BR = bankruptcy
BoA = Bank of America
BT = balance transfer
Cap 1 = Capital One
CC = credit card
CCC = credit card company
CL = credit limit or current limit
CL = Community Leader (in the MyFICO forums)
CLD = credit limit decrease
CLI = credit limit increase
CR = credit report
CRA = credit reporting agency (TransUnion, Experian, Equifax, etc).
CSP = Chase Sapphire Preferred
CU = credit union
DC = Citi Double Cash
DCU = Digital Federal Credit Union
DH = dear husband
DM = dear mother
DW = dear wife
ED = American Express Every Day
EDP = American Express Every Day Preferred
EE = Early Exclusion
EO = Executive Office
EQ = Equifax
EX = Experian
FAKO = credit reports using other formulas, less used by lenders
FICO = credit reports according to Fair Isaac formula, most used by lenders
FOTM = Flavor of the month (popular new cards with uncertain staying power)
FSR = friendly, supportive, & respectful (part of MyFICO forum code of conduct and how we strive to act toward each other on the forums)
FTF = foreign transaction fee
FU = Chase Freedom Unlimited (please ignore any other connotation for those initials)
FWIW = for what it's worth
Gardening = choosing NOT to apply for new lines of credit
HP = hard pull (credit check listed as an inquiry on credit report)
IHG = intercontinental hotels group
IIB/IIBK = included in bankruptcy
IIRC = if I recall correctly
IMO/IME = in my opinion / in my experience
INQ = inquiries listed on credit report
JK = just kidding
LOL = laughing out loud
NFCU = Navy Federal Credit Union
OP = original poster
PC = product change (change the name & type of a credit card to another issued by the same company)
PenFed = Pentagon Federal Credit Union
PRG = American Express Premier Rewards Gold
Prime = desirable; usually used to reference cards with better features, rewards, or perks; lower interest rates; and greater perceived stability
QS = Capital One Quicksilver
Recon = ask company to reconsider a denial of credit
SCT = shopping cart trick (using the shopping cart features of online stores to apply for store credit cards with a soft pull only)
SL = starting limit (initial credit limit on card acceptance)
SO = Significant Other
SP = soft pull (credit check not listed as an inquiry)
Sub-prime = less desirable; usually used to reference store cards or cards designed for lower credit scores
TL = trade lines / credit lines
TOS = terms of service
TU = TransUnion
USAA = United Services Automobile Association (provides banking, credit, & insurance to present & former US soldiers and their families)
UW = underwriter (someone who makes decisions regarding lending to customers)
VS = 1.) Visa Signature (the highest level of benefits provided on a Visa card in the US); 2.) Victoria's Secret
WEMC = World Elite MasterCard (the highest level of MasterCard features, benefits similar to Visa Signature)
WMC = World MasterCard (offers special features from MasterCard, but not quite as many as World Elite)
YMMV / YEMV = your mileage may vary / your experience may vary
Let me know what I missed and I'll add it in. Hope this helps!
@Anonymous wrote:While there is an existing abbreviation thread, there are a number of initials I've seen being used that aren't listed on the old one. So here's an update in alphabetical order:
AA = adverse action (lowered credit limits, closed cards, negative reports on credit, etc.)
AF = annual fee
AMEX = American Express
App = apply / application
App Spree = applying for several cards and/or credit lines in a short period of timeAU = additional user / authorized user
Baddies = negative factors on credit reports
BC = American Express Blue Cash
BCE = American Express Blue Cash Everyday
BCP = American Express Blue Cash PreferredBK/BR = bankruptcy
BoA = Bank of America
BT = balance transfer
Cap 1 = Capital One
CC = credit card
CCC = credit card companyCL/SL = credit limit/spending limit
CLD = credit limit decrease
CLI = credit limit increase
CSP = Chase Sapphire Preferred
CU = credit unionDC = Citi Double Cash
DH = dear husband
DW = dear wifeEDP = American Express Every Day Preferred
EO = Executive Office
EQ = Equifax
EX = ExperianFAKO = credit reports using other formulas, less used by lenders
FICO = credit reports according to Fair Isaac formula, most used by lenders
FOTM = Flavor of the month (popular new cards with uncertain staying power)
FU = Chase Freedom Unlimited (please ignore any other connotation for those initials)
FWIW = for what it's worth
Gardening = choosing NOT to apply for new lines of credit
HP = hard pull (credit check listed as an inquiry on credit report)
IMO/IME = in my opinion / in my experience
INQ = inquiries listed on credit report
OP = original poster
PC = product change (change the name & type of a credit card to another issued by the same company)PRG = American Express Premier Rewards Gold
Prime = desirable; usually used to reference cards with better features, rewards, or perks; lower interest rates; and greater perceived stability
QS = Capital One Quicksilver
Recon = ask company to reconsider a denial of creditSCT = shopping cart trick (using the shopping cart features of online stores to apply for store credit cards with a soft pull only)
SP = soft pull (credit check not listed as an inquiry)
Sub-prime = less desirable; usually used to reference store cards or cards designed for lower credit scores
TL = transaction lines / credit lines
TU = TransUnionVS = Visa Signature (the highest level of benefits provided on a Visa card, comparable with "Visa Infinite")
WEMC = World Elite MasterCard (the highest level of MasterCard features, benefits similar to Visa Signature)
WMC = World MasterCard (offers special features from MasterCard, but not quite as many as World Elite)YMMV / YEMV = your mileage may vary / your experience may vary
Let me know what I missed and I'll add it in. Hope this helps!
As you have EDP, may as well add ED. And for BC, I would add "also known as OBC" (and then probably add an entry for OBC "see BC")
SO for significant other, AOR App o rama, (Mod Cut-Isnt a subject to discuss on myFico)
TL stands for Tradeline. Which is different from a transaction line.
Many thanks for the very valuable and excellent new abbreviation list! A quick question: just to double-check, is "SL" "spending limit" or "starting limit", or both? I had always assumed it had meant "starting limit" (as in a starting credit limit), so if I accidentally misunderstood, my apologies...
LOL = laugh out loud
JK = Just kidding
Thanks!