Before applying for a personal credit card
Before applying for a personal credit card, it is important to go through a checklist to ensure a smooth application process. Here are some key points to consider: 1. Determine if you need any prior relationship with the bank before applying. Some banks may require a certain duration of relationship before approving your application. 2. Find out if the institution requires you to be a member of their bank or credit union before applying. Also, check if it will result in a hard or soft pull on your credit report and if they pull information from ChexSystems. 3. Check if the bank allows double or triple dips, which means applying for multiple products simultaneously. 4. Consider whether you should apply for a card or line of credit immediately or wait until you have built more rapport with the bank. Different institutions have different requirements for relationship duration before lending to you comfortably. 5. Determine the tier of the bank. Tier 1 or Tier 2 banks are generally preferred, but there may be exceptions. 6. Find out the minimum starting limit and maximum limit for the card. This can vary significantly between banks and card types. 7. Check if you can transfer limits between cards or if they are stuck on specific cards. Some banks allow you to move limits freely, while others have restrictions. 8. Understand if the bank asks for documents every time you apply or only after a certain income threshold is stated. Different banks have different rules regarding documentation requirements. 9. Determine the bank's maximum exposure limit, which is the maximum amount of credit they will lend to you. 10. Find out if there is a certain point of exposure where the bank starts asking for documents. Some banks may request documentation after a certain amount of income stated or preset limits granted. 11. Know which credit bureau the bank is known to pull information from for approvals. It could be one, two, or all three bureaus. 12. If the bank pulls information from 2 or more bureaus, check if you can block one or more of those pulls and still receive an approval.