Moving from sub-prime to mainstream

callum9999

Hi, another thread has got me thinking about moving from sub-prime cards to mainstream cards but I'm not sure when I should start (I doubt I have enough history yet but any advice to how much I need would be good).

Basically my credit report at the moment is:

Vanquis : 9 zeros, 250 limit, current balance 89
Capital One: 5 zeros, 200 limit (100 until this month), current balance 146

Alliance and Leicester current account: 9 zeros but no credit.
HSBC student account: 1 zero - it has a 500 overdraft which I've used 400 of but that isn't showing up at all.
Nationwide current account: 9 zeros but no credit.

O2 should appear on there at some point soon and I have 5 searches in the last 6 months (1 is a duplicate which I did complain about and 1 is about to expire). I've been on the electoral roll for 2 years and have no bad reports on there (this is all from equifax if it matters). I've also been with Nationwide and HSBC for over 10 years now if that helps.

Thanks.

Innocent_Guy

I would try Sygma bank.

Search for the "Silver Card" or "Flybee Credit card"

callum9999

Innocent_Guy wrote: »

I would try Sygma bank.

Search for the "Silver Card" or "Flybee Credit card"

Thanks. I know its hard to predict how they would look at my application - but how likely do you think they will be to accept me?

Innocent_Guy

callum9999 wrote: »

Thanks. I know its hard to predict how they would look at my application - but how likely do you think they will be to accept me?

I think you have very limited credit history. Do you have the HSBC student credit card?

Innocent_Guy

Innocent_Guy wrote: »

I think you have very limited credit history. Do you have the HSBC student credit card?

Just noticed you do not have the HSBC card. Is this your main student account?

callum9999

Innocent_Guy wrote: »

Just noticed you do not have the HSBC card. Is this your main student account?

Yeah it is. I think I opted for the credit card when I applied but there was no mention of it after that (no rejection letters or any mention of a credit card existing). I thought maybe it was because I applied so early (late December but I don't start the course until October - was surprised they gave me the overdraft!),

Innocent_Guy

callum9999 wrote: »

Yeah it is. I think I opted for the credit card when I applied but there was no mention of it after that (no rejection letters or any mention of a credit card existing). I thought maybe it was because I applied so early (late December but I don't start the course until October - was surprised they gave me the overdraft!),

I would try HSBC. If they cannot accept your application give it three months and try Sygma

HTH

callum9999

Innocent_Guy wrote: »

I would try HSBC. If they cannot accept your application give it three months and try Sygma

HTH

Thanks. Do you think paying off some of the overdraft with them first will help? I've only put about 80 pounds in there since I went overdrawn and its now at about 380 overdrawn.

EDIT: I just looked at the site and I can't see any mention of a student credit card there - it definately was advertised when I opened the account 3 months ago though.

Innocent_Guy

callum9999 wrote: »

Thanks. Do you think paying off some of the overdraft with them first will help? I've only put about 80 pounds in there since I went overdrawn and its now at about 380 overdrawn.

Yes this would defiantly help but is not essential as they do expect students to be overdrawn!

callum9999

Innocent_Guy wrote: »

Yes this would defiantly help but is not essential as they do expect students to be overdrawn!

Thanks - I might as well put a load in there then - its just sitting in my other accounts (Nationwide being 0% interest) anyway.

Do you know anything about their Student credit card (I put in an edit above that I couldn't find it)? I guess I might have to get their normal one.

Innocent_Guy

callum9999 wrote: »

Thanks - I might as well put a load in there then - its just sitting in my other accounts (Nationwide being 0% interest) anyway.

Do you know anything about their Student credit card (I put in an edit above that I couldn't find it)? I guess I might have to get their normal one.

I think for the Student credit card you have to apply in branch with a personal banker. They will have all the info there matey :beer: