Denied Halifax Clarity Card

aintreemaid

Has anyone else had their application for a Halifax Clarity Card refused? I used to use my Nationwide Flex card for withdrawing cash whilst abroad but now that's a service that's no longer free, I applied for the Halifax card (on Martin's recommendation!).
My mortgage was always paid on time (now paid off), my bank account has never been overdrawn and my existing credit card is always paid on time, so what's their problem?
Grrrrrr..........

JasX

I'm sure they just toss a coin tbh, this is what happened to me:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=39511388&postcount=143

As per that link I'd just give it a short while and re-apply via a different channel (ie internet if you went into a branch initially)

izools

Some questions if you don't mind.

Have you changed address / employer / bank recently?
Have you applied for more than two credit checked products in the last six months?
Is your existing credit card balance beyond half it's limit?
Is your existing credit card limit more than half your salary?
How long have you held your existing credit card for?

If you can let us know the answers to these questions we should be able to shed some light on the situation

EDIT: and applying via a different method doesn't change the criteria or credit scoring model. Chances are equal either way and you may be wasting a credit search doing so, making you look desperate for credit.

Having read the other thread, it would appear to me, that when JasX applied in branch, the advisor entered incorrect / inaccurate / incomplete info, either painting a picture of overcommitment, or painting a picture of being untruthful on the application.

I avoid applying for anything in branch - last time I did, the personal banker entered all sorts of arbitraty rubbish on the application, which was as a result approved - and then the bank (Barclays) closed all my accounts as they suspected something... They never did tell me why they closed all my accounts but anyone manually reviewing the data the PB put in would see it didn't add up.

sharpy2010

Their "problem" is that they can see they won't make any money from you. Why would they want a customer that costs them money to service their account, when they won't make any money?

Common sense, surely?

MrHippo

Same thing happened to me, assume it either because I'm a student, my income was too low for them or because I had a few other cards at the time (although all had 0 balance or get paid off in full each month). Got a Post Office CC with no probs which is fine for spending overseas but haven't sorted out anything for withdrawing cash yet. I'm thinking about Metrobank but they look so...well so naff i suppose and I haven't really heard anything about them yet.

aintreemaid

Hi izools,
Lots of thoughts, thanks, but: at present address 9½ years, retired 3 years, with same bank over 25 years. Existing card held for 2½ years (that was my last credit-checked application) limit £3000, current balance £84. I'm still stumped! Any ideas?

izools

aintreemaid wrote: »

Hi izools,
Lots of thoughts, thanks, but: at present address 9½ years, retired 3 years, with same bank over 25 years. Existing card held for 2½ years (that was my last credit-checked application) limit £3000, current balance £84. I'm still stumped! Any ideas?

In which case this makes very little sense unless, either your electoral role registration hasn't updated for the most recent annual canvas, or there is a subtle difference between the way your address appears on your credit file and the way you entered it on the application form.

Have you obtained a copy of your credit file to make sure there are no mistakes or something you didn't expect / remember?

ManAtHome

Wonder if they have a minimum income requirement, or have introduced one due to popularity?

Certainly wouldn't be because you're likely to pay off each month - I've never paid interest on CCs (25+ years, various cards) and I got the 12.9% rate.

opinions4u

Do you have any accounts with them? Their scoring systems were always weighted in favour of existing customers.

Perhaps try opening a current account with them in branch. If accepted you could get a credit card automatically offered too.

JasX

izools wrote: »

Some questions if you don't mind.
EDIT: and applying via a different method doesn't change the criteria or credit scoring model. Chances are equal either way and you may be wasting a credit search doing so, making you look desperate for credit.

Having read the other thread, it would appear to me, that when JasX applied in branch, the advisor entered incorrect / inaccurate / incomplete info, either painting a picture of overcommitment, or painting a picture of being untruthful on the application.

1- Believe me the channel you apply via can make a marked difference, trust me I have direct access to internal info on this (not from halifax but a similar entity).

And no they didn't enter incorrect info, I was watching the screen like a hawk, they had ample opportunity to re-review the info when I bothered wasting my time with their 'appeal' procedure. I also typed identical data into the web application.

Check your file to make sure its clear of red flags.... if it is see my post above

izools

JasX wrote: »

1- Believe me the channel you apply via can make a marked difference, trust me I have direct access to internal info on this (not from halifax but a similar entity).

And no they didn't enter incorrect info, I was watching the screen like a hawk, they had ample opportunity to re-review the info when I botheres wasting time with their 'apeal' procedure I also typed identical data into the web application.

Check your file to make sure its clear of red flags.... if it is see my post above

I'd be very interested to discuss this in more detail.

I, personally, can see no sense whatsoever in a branch using a different scoring model to online. It's all one bank, the bank want a certain type of customer, and if you're privvy to this information I'm sure you know how much credit scoring models cost especially ones that work well - so to pay for two is a great expense that, to me, is seemingly nonsensical.

Without saying of course who the information pertains to I would welcome more info from you as I'm finding your claim hard to believe... but potentially fascinating