Santander Zero - application declined

nicvesey

Hi all,

I recently applied for the Santander zero credit card. I didn't hear anything for a while so yesterday called to check the status and to my surprise was told my application had been declined due to a poor credit score and to check with Experian why. This seemed odd as I've never missed a payment and have no debt whatsoever. I checked with Experian and sure enough my score is 999, I haven't had a credit card as such before but I have had credit e.g. car finance, a couple of store cards etc so there is plenty of history on there to give me an 'excellent' rating'.

I called back to query why I had been told my credit score was poor and a different adviser said they recently had a system problem which meant some applicants have been mistakenly declined and a review is currently being undertaken to correct this.

I'm aware that not too much emphasis should be put on your experian credit score as different lenders have different criteria, and that its not always about how risky you are but how profitable you are (i.e. with my credit history I wont make them any money). However I've also read that this card is aimed at the prime market which suggests that they do want people with an excellent credit history?

I've now written to Santander to appeal, as I'm not sure about the 'system problem' so will see what they come back with....suppose I was just wondering if anyone else has had the same problem?

Thanks,
Nicola

INT1

I'm sure if an underwriter looks at your situation then you will be accepted. Won't be until the new year no doubt now.

davethorp

If the OP hasn't had a credit card in the past that could be the reason for the decline. By all means appeal but if that fails may be better looking at slightly less prime cards like MBNA, Barclaycard, Tesco and the like, using them well for 6 months then having another crack at the santander card.

OP I'm glad you know that the scores the CRAs generate should be taken with a pinch of salt. Please however don't waste any more of your money on what is effectively as useful to you as a randomly generated number. Drop us a couple of quid and I'll happily generate a random number for you equally as useful if you must. Failing that use the money the CRAs charge for 1 score to get your statutory report from all 3 CRAs. Much more useful!

iash2009

I just applied for a current account and they declined even that. To my opinion they start some promotions to get the customers and tell them they will get a 100 pound or so with that. and then they offer them a basic account in return without any incentives. It more or less just a campaign and in return try to get the customers without incentives.

No more dealings with this non serious bank

Iash2009

nicvesey wrote: »

Hi all,

I recently applied for the Santander zero credit card. I didn't hear anything for a while so yesterday called to check the status and to my surprise was told my application had been declined due to a poor credit score and to check with Experian why. This seemed odd as I've never missed a payment and have no debt whatsoever. I checked with Experian and sure enough my score is 999, I haven't had a credit card as such before but I have had credit e.g. car finance, a couple of store cards etc so there is plenty of history on there to give me an 'excellent' rating'.

I called back to query why I had been told my credit score was poor and a different adviser said they recently had a system problem which meant some applicants have been mistakenly declined and a review is currently being undertaken to correct this.

I'm aware that not too much emphasis should be put on your experian credit score as different lenders have different criteria, and that its not always about how risky you are but how profitable you are (i.e. with my credit history I wont make them any money). However I've also read that this card is aimed at the prime market which suggests that they do want people with an excellent credit history?

I've now written to Santander to appeal, as I'm not sure about the 'system problem' so will see what they come back with....suppose I was just wondering if anyone else has had the same problem?

Thanks,
Nicola

izools

nicvesey wrote: »

Hi all,

I recently applied for the Santander zero credit card. I didn't hear anything for a while so yesterday called to check the status and to my surprise was told my application had been declined due to a poor credit score and to check with Experian why. This seemed odd as I've never missed a payment and have no debt whatsoever. I checked with Experian and sure enough my score is 999, I haven't had a credit card as such before but I have had credit e.g. car finance, a couple of store cards etc so there is plenty of history on there to give me an 'excellent' rating'.

I called back to query why I had been told my credit score was poor and a different adviser said they recently had a system problem which meant some applicants have been mistakenly declined and a review is currently being undertaken to correct this.

I'm aware that not too much emphasis should be put on your experian credit score as different lenders have different criteria, and that its not always about how risky you are but how profitable you are (i.e. with my credit history I wont make them any money). However I've also read that this card is aimed at the prime market which suggests that they do want people with an excellent credit history?

I've now written to Santander to appeal, as I'm not sure about the 'system problem' so will see what they come back with....suppose I was just wondering if anyone else has had the same problem?

Thanks,
Nicola

Nicola,

From the sounds of things you have a good enough profile to be considered for a good credit card - being declined for the Santander IMHO is a blessing in disguise.

Seriously - do a Google for "Santander Complaints" and see for yourself!

What benefits do you want out of a card? We'll be able to point you in the right direction for a card that fulfils your needs without applying with a shoddy joke of a bank