Application Rejected (twice)

kwiksand

Hey all,

I'm relatively new to the UK (been here 9 months now), I'm an Australian working here as an IT Contractor. I've just applied for both a Barclay's Flexi Rate Visa and a Halifax 12 Months 0%, about 2 weeks apart, but both applications were knocked back.

Both times, even after asking for a rejection reason I was given a generic rejection message stating that "credit reports are generated from a variety of sources and may be.. <insert bank name here> reserves the right to refuse application based on.."

Any idea what the reason for this is, and how I can go about rectifying this, and applying for a card in the future? Both banks stated that there was no issue with issueing cards to Australians as long as I'm a current resident in the UK.

My details are:

• living with my partner (who's a British Citizen),
• together we're earning £78,000,
• we've got current HSBC Credit card with low limit, no defaults or late payments
• we've got rent, mobile phone, gas, electricity, tv, internet and BT telephone

Obviously things are a little bit different here than they would have been back home, but I'd say with the above we should have more than enough credit history between us for a credit card, especially as all I want would be £500-£1000 limit.

Any help greatly appreciated.

jay78

You don't have 3 years of British residency, you are not on the electoral register?

arfster

Maybe best getting added as a second cardholder to your partner's? You probably don't have enough credit history yourself

gt94sss2

It may just be worth asking HSBC to increase your limit - especially if you already bank with them or apply in your partners name wit you as a 2nd card holder.

Also, if you are not currently on the electoral roll - get yourself added.

Regards
Sunil

kwiksand

Well, I'm happy with my HSBC credit card, but not getting any of the perks of 0% purchases or anything, so that was my reason for wanting to change to the Halifax or Barclays cards.

My partners a British Citizen, but an Australian as well, so apart from the passport she'd probably have less on her credit history than me as the credit card and most of the bills are in my name.

I'll definitely look at getting on the electoral role.

More than anything, I just wish they could give me a better answer as to the reason for rejection.

kitchen_buff

You will not get any credit if you have not got three years history of where you have lived. Armed forces who are British even have trouble getting credit. To top off this the banks now have a very high refusal rate due to the credit crunch situation.

kwiksand

I have got 3 years credit history of where I've lived though, we both have. And the banks have both said there's no issue in issueing credit cards when we haven't been here for the full three years yet.

Zebedee69

To get the 0% deals you need to be British resident on Electoral role. There aint no way your getting the good deals!

YOUR bank says this............Thats because they have your internal credit score. Externally they have to rely on Experian or Equifax......Your not on Electoral role so you dont exist!

Sorry...........

Mastivision

Zebedee69 wrote: »

To get the 0% deals you need to be British resident on Electoral role. There aint no way your getting the good deals!

Sorry...........

Well Zebedee you might be right but one of my friend he been here in UK from last 2 years and he has got good credit limits on his cards and you would not believe he has around 70k on his cards.

He is a Pakistani National.

gt94sss2

kwiksand wrote: »

Well, I'm happy with my HSBC credit card, but not getting any of the perks of 0% purchases or anything, so that was my reason for wanting to change to the Halifax or Barclays cards.

Ah - I thought it was mainly the low limit you didn't like.

If you want a card with 'perks' getting on the electoral roll and waiting until your credit file is updated with this information will definitely help.

As has been said, HSBC have been able to give you a card as they have visibility of your other accounts - unlike these other companies.

HSBC don't run many credit card brands in the UK, but you may want to try applying for a Marks and Spencer &more credit card - thats also run by HSBC.. and depending on their IT systems may have access to your internal HSBC credit scores..

More than anything, I just wish they could give me a better answer as to the reason for rejection.

These rejection letters are generic. You could consider appealing to Halifax or Barcays and send them copies of your bank statements etc -but there s no guarantee they will reverse their original decisions.

Regards
Sunil

kwiksand

Thanks very much all, I'll get myself on the electoral role as soon as we move into the new place. It's not something I was terribly worried about, i.e I don't need a new card tomorrow, or NOW, but didn't want to keep applying and getting knocked back without any real reason from the banks themselves. (Of course its not a good idea to continuously apply for cards anyway, as I realise rejections are reflected in the credit history).

Thanks once again!