First Direct Gold Card - Increase credit limit

starM

TheEffect wrote: »

Just thought I'd come back and update this in case anyone searches for a similar thread in the future.

I phoned FD again today after having the gold card for a few months and asked them to increase the limit from £500 to £1000. They put me through to the credit approval team (as I didn't have any pre-approved limits) who asked a lot of questions, then looked into my HSBC account (yes they can see your HSBC accounts), then looked at my credit report, before declining me.

Declined due to a large amount of searches (10 in the last few months), as well as quite a few new accounts opened in the last year, which is fair.

Interestingly, FD can see all of your HSBC accounts. They also look directly at information on your credit report, unlike most banks who run all the information through a computer (and don't see your report directly) and get a 'yes' or 'no' decision.

Did they knew you had a HSBC account? and did they already had your HSBC sort code and account number.

When I was applying for Credit card with FD they asked who I banked with previously. I told them HSBC - They asked my permission to access my HSBC account. The adviser put me on hold number of times - I felt she was accessing the account on a different system then coming back to ask further questions.

First Direct never credit checked me after opening of my Current account. They had score from experian every month. Poss I have been a customer of FD since 1998 - the criteria is diffident for long standing customer.

3 years ago I attempted a loan - Again no credit search was carried out - They were happy to offer the loan but as my salary was being credit to my Natwest account, they ask for payslip or reduction in my current OD/Credit card limit.

TheEffect

starM wrote: »

Did they knew you had a HSBC account? and did they already had your HSBC sort code and account number.

When I was applying for Credit card with FD they asked who I banked with previously. I told them HSBC - They asked my permission to access my HSBC account. The adviser put me on hold number of times - I felt she was accessing the account on a different system then coming back to ask further questions.

First Direct never credit checked me after opening of my Current account. They had score from experian every month. Poss I have been a customer of FD since 1998 - the criteria is diffident for long standing customer.

3 years ago I attempted a loan - Again no credit search was carried out - They were happy to offer the loan but as my salary was being credit to my Natwest account, they ask for payslip or reduction in my current OD/Credit card limit.

They asked where my salary was paid into, I said HSBC, they asked if it was the sort code and account number I gave when I applied for first direct (which it was).

He looked at my HSBC account and confirmed payments made into it, as well as pulled my Experian credit report.

Sometimes it's easier when it's a computer making the decision.