Which current a/c to use on applications?

sofa_surfer

Hi y'all,
The situation is - my 2 bank accounts are one with Nationwide (basic Flex account with cash card only since December 2005) and one with First Direct (since June 2006 - this one has overdraft of £500 and Maestro debit card, my salary goes into it and then is promptly moved to the Flexaccount because of the better rate).
My question is - if I am to apply for a credit card (i already have Capital One and First Direct CCs), which account to put on the application as my main bank account - the First Direct because of the 'better' facilities , or the Flexaccount because of the longer history of banking with it?

JollyNolly

I'd go for the one I've been with longest - they like to see evidence of "stability".

The_Boss

Yep, definitely the one you've had the longest. Although there's only 6 months in it, that might be enough to swing it for you.

sofa_surfer

Friday again - Thank you for the replies. Just to get some more clarification:
-usually on the applications they want you to put down your 'main' bank account; what makes an account 'main' - isn't it the salary going in?
-having the 'basic' Nationwide account shows that I am not trusted with credit facilities (chequebook, overdraft) whereas I have them and a VISA debit card with FD?

seagles_2

They are usually looking for the one that has your salary paid into it. Only really becomes a problem if they then ask for bank statements for money laundering/id/limit reasons. If you then send them statements from a different "bank", they will then ask for details of the "main" account. Assuming the person checking is on the ball.
Also they may notice that your "main" bank doesn't tie in with what they see on the credit reports. I had a case in question where their bank details were for one bank and I saw an overdraft facility with another bank, when I asked questions about this the applicant quickly said they didn't want to proceed. May have been something "fishy" or they just didn't want the "hastle".


Raptor.

ontheup_3

If they did a search on you then the newer account with the credit facilities will always show up on your credit record anyway so they know you have them , so i would also go for the longest standing account for stability as they will see your credit faclilites on the search , hope this helps you decide

The_Boss

If they query it, you could always play the fool and say that you classed your main account as the one that you have had for longest.

Hopefully they wont have to query anything. I know I have never had an application queried.

sofa_surfer

The_Boss wrote:

If they query it, you could always play the fool and say that you classed your main account as the one that you have had for longest.

Hopefully they wont have to query anything. I know I have never had an application queried.

Thanx, The Boss
lucky you - I live in this country since Jan 2005 and have no previous credit history, so it is very likely that any bank or CC company that I apply to will ask for copy of my bank statements - many did so far.

The_Boss

sofa_surfer wrote:

Thanx, The Boss
lucky you - I live in this country since Jan 2005 and have no previous credit history, so it is very likely that any bank or CC company that I apply to will ask for copy of my bank statements - many did so far.

Have you tried applying through your own bank for a credit card?