I really don't know what took me this long but I joined NFCU today. For the longest time I thought I wasn't eligible but I read something earlier about family member eligibility and my Dad who is deceased is a veteran... so I called them and I'm in.
Super excited... I've heard all the good things about their credit cards and loan products.
So.... first question. I set up a checking and savings but am wondering about credit cards. Do they have any kind of prequal? I'm thinking I'll get approved (current scores and cards in sig) but nothing is guaranteed. I am gardening but would definitely come out of the garden for an NFCU card.
So... suggestions on what I should do first? I'm not itching to apply in the next 20 minutes or anything but definitely want to.
Thanks!
You want to have a high internal score before applying . Things to do to get a better score :
1. Direct Deposit a portion of your paycheck into NFCU
2. Open a CD - i would recommend the special cert easy start - has a 3% APY min $50 to open
3. $250 Pledge loan
Once you do all this, you should be good to go to apply. When i first opened my account and did the prequalify I was only qualified for the secured card. After 2 weeks after doing all these things, i qualified for all their cards and got approved for their More Rewards AMEX card.
@TRC_WA Congrats on getting in with NFCU! I love Navy Federal, the mobile app is functional and easy to use. I would think that you would get approved for a card, they do have a pre-qual but it is not very reliable. They pull TU F9's for new apps.
@mfinsmi1 wrote:You want to have a high internal score before applying . Things to do to get a better score :
1. Direct Deposit a portion of your paycheck into NFCU
2. Open a CD - i would recommend the special cert easy start - has a 3% APY min $50 to open
3. $250 Pledge loan
Once you do all this, you should be good to go to apply. When i first opened my account and did the prequalify I was only qualified for the secured card. After 2 weeks after doing all these things, i qualified for all their cards and got approved for their More Rewards AMEX card.
Much appreciated info. I'm not going to apply today. Will set up this stuff and give it a go at a later date. I'm definitely not in any rush and want everything to be perfect before I app.
@JM427 wrote:@TRC_WA Congrats on getting in with NFCU! I love Navy Federal, the mobile app is functional and easy to use. I would think that you would get approved for a card, they do have a pre-qual but it is not very reliable. They pull TU F9's for new apps.
Thanks! As said going to wait a bit... and since they pull TU I'm definitely going to wait a bit. There's some kind of an issue with my TU report (15-20 pts lower than EQ/EX) and when I look at the 3 bureau report summary it says "recent late payment 4 months ago" which isn't correct. I had my Chapter 13 discharge 4 months ago... but there has been no lates anywhere in 5+ years.
I looked over the report and see nothing about a late on the individual accounts. They either show paid as agreed/current or in the case of the Ch 13 derogs they show IIB. Everything looks correct so I'm kinda confused but will have to go over it again with a fine tooth comb.
At any rate... gonna hold off on credit card apps till I see what the issue is. With only a 660 Fico 8 I have no idea what my Fico 9 would be and all I see here under "new versions" is a Fico 10 which is even lower.
@TRC_WA
When you are prequalified for products there will be little banners that pop up in the portal and then you can click on the banner and apply. You can also cold apply! Each app is a HP and membership is a HP.
FICO 8: 
Goal: Gardening!
Goal: Gardening!
@TRC_WA
With NFCU it doesn't have to be perfect... they will approve you and then you can increase your limit every 91 days.
FICO 8:
Goal: Gardening!
Goal: Gardening!
@TRC_WA
I had this happen with one of my reports. It was a student loan, they listed it as IIB in Dec 2021 even though my filing date was in 2017. This was found in the additional info section of the report, not in the payment history section if that makes sense. To see your Fico 9 scores, click on BankCard scores.
FICO 8:
Goal: Gardening!
Goal: Gardening!
@webhopper wrote:
When you are prequalified for products there will be little banners that pop up in the portal and then you can click on the banner and apply. You can also cold apply! Each app is a HP and membership is a HP.
With NFCU it doesn't have to be perfect... they will approve you and then you can increase your limit every 91 days.
I had this happen with one of my reports. It was a student loan, they listed it as IIB in Dec 2021 even though my filing date was in 2017. This was found in the additional info section of the report, not in the payment history section if that makes sense. To see your Fico 9 scores, click on BankCard scores.
Thanks for all the info... EQ Fico 9 shows 691. TU shows 631... Ouch. Gonna look over the report again and will check in the additional info. Not in any rush to apply for anything today anyway but will soon.
Pretty awesome to be in the NFCU door.
@mfinsmi1 wrote:
Once you do all this, you should be good to go to apply. When i first opened my account and did the prequalify I was only qualified for the secured card. After 2 weeks after doing all these things, i qualified for all their cards and got approved for their More Rewards AMEX card.
Update:
Did the prequal and got the same thing... secured only. So I'll be upping the internal score first while checking into the TU report.
Also... what's a pledge loan? Thanks!