Ok, I applied for both a Juniper and a Universal card. I was declined for both. What is interesting is there reasons. Universal Card - My utilization ratio is too low. She said they like to see you using close to 48% of your limits. Otherwise, if you ratio is low, it looks like you don't need any more credit. Juniper - (1) My revolving debt is too high, (2) my utilization ratio is too high. Both pulled Equifax. Universal Card on 8/13/01 with a score of 697 after the inquiry, and Juniper on 9/9/01, with a score of 694 before the inquiry. Account information was pretty much the same.
That's amazing about the low utilization ratio. While Universal is obviously a freakish exception, it's starting to look like my kind of bank. I'll be happy to apply with a ratio of 48% (or higher.)
citi loves high and low utilization. one must wonder why its child (universal) has such varying standards???
