I was thinking if we pool our knowledge on which banks pull soft inq upon opening an account, we might find more that offer the cc's like Umbrella used to. First TN pulls a hard upon opening but offers you a Credit card if you qualify.
Re: Re: Which banks do soft inq only? They pulled EQ for my brother and he thinks his score was probably in the low 700s. They offered 2500 cl (followed almost immediately by an offer to raise it) without knowing his income.
Amy - if I may ask - did you end up applying for an Umbrella account to see if they would cross-sell you the cc?
Re: Re: Which banks do soft inq only? No, have you? Tempted....I was thinking about calling them first to ask if I opened an account would I be offered a visa (qual of course.)
Re: Re: Re: Which banks do soft inq only? Well, yes, I have. I figured, a soft inq, what have I got to lose. Lo and behold, a page came up informing me that I qualified for overdraft protection (1K) and an UmbrellaAIR Visa (5K). Naturally, I checked both and hit the submit button. Now, the "welcome" e-mail I received stated that the username/password for my account would be in the mail in a few days. Going to wait until that arrives, log on and see what's showing on the account. If there's no OD or cc, will call them and b... I mean, politely inquire. The thing that keeps my hopes up some (although I'm not kidding myself too much, 5K is a CL I will probably not see for a few years) is that Umbrella placed 3 soft inquiries on my EXP the day I applied. One assumes that each inq is for a service (checking acct, cc, OD). I'll keep you posted.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Which banks do soft inq only? Hey cool, yes I think I might do it too. Softs don't hurt so what the hey right? I called them before I read this and they confirmed if you open a checking account they will offer you a cc if you are qualified. My exp. faco is like 719-722 (depends on the day lol) but I have 4 inq's thanks to Chase and mbna doing doubles. What did you have? I know what you mean about the 5k but did you ask them to reconsider if you have the income for it? I always have luck with that!
Re: Re: Re: Re: Which banks do soft inq only? PS which checking account did you choose and how do you make the initial deposit? Any tips? I am thinking.....what on earth am I going to do with an out of state checking account? The rewards card talks about direct deposit......um, I own a biz so do I set up my account here to "bill pay" them every month?
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Which banks do soft inq only? AB, you are SO funny. Everytime Will and I think we've reigned you in you fall off the wagon. What a kick!
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Which banks do soft inq only? Wasn't there a thread not long ago about how they would offer you a CC with the checking account but then they eventually denied it due to another "review" of your credit report(s)?
Dang it I knew sheep would find me If it makes you feel better I haven't done it!! It makes me feel better to know I am cared for! lol Did you read the post I wrote about "will and sheep will come after me" ? Actually I read that thread too, but we shall see what happens with the above guy.
Re: Re: Which banks do soft inq only? You are cared for. In all seriousness, my credit picture was so low years ago that I saw no way out. You name it, I had it on my reports (except for bk). Cash had to be king. Then (before I even knew about forums like this) I saw a combination of disputes and time and never giving up bring me from that level of credit dispair to a FICO that's between 780 and 790 depending on the mood of the FICO gods. I'm not sharing this with you to brag, but rather to tell you that the more credit I'm given, and the more credit opportunities that present themselves, the more stingy I am. It's a long way out of the FICO quicksand, and I don't ever intend to step near it again. So, AB, that's why Will and I are trying to watch out for you in our own silly way. I know how tempting it is to spread your wings once your score lets you, but now's the time for restraint. Sorry if this sounds preachy. Just trying to be a friend.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Which banks do soft inq only? YOU CAN DO THAT!!! Keep your existing account, but set up a PAYPAL account. Send Money to PayPal, then transfer it to your new checking account for "Electronic Direct Deposit". It's a much longer process, but you'd get a free account!
Re: Re: Re: Which banks do soft inq only? You are not preachy and I love you for it. I had to get the slap in the face to bring me to a screaching halt. The thingy with HHB really peeved me, but it was my own foolishness. The number of inqs I'm up to with no *b* for some reason, (citi turning me down for such-yet oddly giving me a lot of biz credit), anyhoo, the addiction is cooled for the moment. 780-790??? *SIGH* how on earth did you get there? How long is your credit history? All my old bad stuff is gone, the earlier good stuff aged off leaving me with like a <6 year credit history. My exp has creeped back to 711 so I guess it will go up. My consumer info fako dropped to 590 with the inqs. That has to be wrong because myfico was 685 the other day. (only down from 696 thankfully) so when my true fico goes over 700 I will be sooo happy with every tier. (720-740-780.....) Your wife must be proud of your stinginess. lol Thank for keeping an eye on me! I hope I can continue to ask your advice in the future!
Re: Re: Re: Re: Which banks do soft inq only? My credit history is pretty long but only because some really old good stuff hasn't fallen off yet. That's what's really helped with the FICO gods. I see these ads on TV for new cars, etc. that say in fine print at the bottom something like "not everyone will qualify for this rate, so for all others bend over and assume the position." It's a good feeling to read this and not be forced to bend over. You'll reach this point also from what I've read of your posts, but the key word as far as I've been concerned is moderation. When I see the ad I referred to above I say to myself "ok, but when *I'M* good and ready to buy the car becuase *I'M* in the driver's seat (no pun intended). YMMV, but in my case the lessons learned were so painful and long that I now find that most of my credit-related thoughts revolve around how not to screw up what I have (and how to maximize existing creditor relationships) vs. how can I get every card in sight. Who loves 'ya, baby?
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Which banks do soft inq only? 1. What YMMV? 2. I totally agree. I have the vehicles I love right now and I want to pay them off and keep them for as long as possible and THEN and only then will I consider buying again. The cool thing now is to know I qualify for that and I choose to not do it. I am happy with what I have. God has blessed me tremendously. 3. You da man!! I appreciate having you guys to vent to and to ask questions, because no one around here wants to hear it lol.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Which banks do soft inq only? PS How do I activate my email? I tried to do it under my account and it said I didn't have permission??
Re: Re: Re: Re: Which banks do soft inq only? Hey Nightlifer, did you end up getting your $5k Umbrella Visa? JP
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Which banks do soft inq only? Still working on that, JP. The card is still neither in my wallet nor under my accounts online, although I have been persistent in calling their CS with the periodicity of twice a week. In fact, at this point I recognize most of the CSRsâ?? voices, and can match those with names. Darn it if I donâ??t feel like a part of one big happy banking family. What they keep telling me is that I have indeed been approved. As for why I still don't have the card, the explanations vary from CSR to CSR in a rather amusing way: - "this a very popular card, many people have applied for it, and that's why it's taking so long to process the order." - "it takes time for the system to verify that you do have a deposit account with us [a requirement for getting the card. - N.]" - my personal favorite - "the credit card department has run out of plastic to make the cards. They have placed an order for more; as soon as they get it, your card will be processed.â? Last time I talked to them was this past Wednesday. I was assured that my order had finally been processed, and that the card was on its way. Seven weeks just to get that answer. Mind you, Iâ??m not ready to do the proverbial happy dance until I actually have the card in my hand. However, on Thursday, it hit my EXP report, with the right CL and everything. I suppose thatâ??s a good sign. Bottom line: obtaining this card requires a lot of patience and phone time. That is perhaps the downside of having only a soft inq placed on your EXP report, and what appear to be somewhat relaxed approval guidelines.
