Targeted Credit Card application through Online Banking?

rags2riches_2

Hi,

Sorry a little background first to put it into context...

I got into an awful mess years ago and have been rebuilding my credit history ever since.

6 months ago I was able to be accepted for my first credit card for 6 years with Aqua and a few months later I also secured one from Vanquis.

I have been spending a little on both of them and paying it off in full and now have a combined total limit of £2,100 from an initial £500 6 months ago.

I have banked with Halifax for the 6 years I've been in the credit wilderness and in the last couple of months when I log into online banking it invites me to apply for a credit card and a loan.

As this didn't happen before is this an indication I now have a good chance of acceptance?

Aqua and Vanquis have been brilliant to rebuild credit but the APRs I have are around 50%. I'm keen to transfer to a mainstream card as soon as possible.

As I pay off in full obviously the APR is irrelevant but in the future when I may not be able to pay the full amount if an emergency crops up a better APR would be better.

Thanks for reading. Any thoughts?

[Deleted User]

No harm in trying an application with the Halifax, if you don't have any other immediate credit needs.

grumbler

rags2riches wrote: »

... when I log into online banking it invites me to apply for a credit card and a loan.

As this didn't happen before is this an indication I now have a good chance of acceptance?

IMO, such invitations don't mean anything unless they say 'pre-approved'.

rags2riches_2

grumbler wrote: »

IMO, such invitations don't mean anything unless they say 'pre-approved'.

I just found it odd it never used to be there.

I had an Easycash basic bank account with them for around 5 years but over the last year or so I now have a fully fledged reward account.

I didn't require an overdraft but thought hey let's see if they give me something. I only requested £50 but they approved it instantly.

I just don't see why they would specifically target me through my own personal online banking after logon if they didn't think I met their criteria?

rags2riches_2

Has anyone with Halifax had something similar, applied and been accepted?

Just don't want a search on my credit file if I get declined.

piehole

I've had this happen with Natwest, if that's of any help?

Dobbibill

It sounds like you have allowed marketing via online banking, which would be personal to you.

This is never guaranteed but a good indication that they are willing to consider you for lending. There is only only one way to know for sure and that is by doing an application.

Candyapple

rags2riches wrote: »

Has anyone with Halifax had something similar, applied and been accepted?

Just don't want a search on my credit file if I get declined.

I had this with Halifax online banking for a credit card, the difference being, mine said 'guaranteed acceptance' (or words to that effect) when I clicked on it, rather than the 'apply here' button.

Now that I have closed down said cc, I get the same as you - offers from Halifax "inviting" me to apply for loans, savings accounts and credit cards. These are not pre-approved or guaranteed acceptance offers. This is just marketing from them, trying to get you to apply, you have no extra edge over anyone else applying just because it's shown up in your online banking, it's just a sales tactic. So if you apply and get turned down, it will still go down as a search on your credit file.

Dobbibill

Another option is to ring them and ask them if there is any lending available to you at the moment. You don't have to apply there and then but asking the question will not put a footprint on your credit file.

MEM62

rags2riches wrote: »

in the future when I may not be able to pay the full amount if an emergency crops up a better APR would be better.


Any thoughts?

Yes, In the event of an emergency savings would be better.