Citi Too Many Inquiries CLI Denial — Are they being completely transparent?

[Menta33]

I've got Citi AA Miles card from 2019 still with same credit limit I opened with.  Denied again for CLI, reason given was:

 

Quote

At this time, we're unable to approve this request because your credit report shows too many recent inquiries.

 

However, I wonder if that is the full story since they have BK loss with me that is off my credit reports now?  Are they obligated to cite that in their reasons if part of their decision making process?

 

My inquiries on Equifax they referred to:

 

1. Feb 17, 2021 PENTAGON FCU (Denied CLI, max exposure)
2. Feb 17, 2021 DIGITAL FEDERAL CREDIT UN (Denied card)
3. Dec 29, 2020 CORELOGIC CREDCO CORELOGIC for BACHOMELOANSECOMMDMA (Mortgage approved)
4. Apr 20, 2020 CREDCO/QUICKEN CREDCO/QUICKEN for QUICKEN LOANS INC
5. Mar 07, 2020 PENTAGON FCU (Approved CLI)
6. Mar 07, 2020 DIGITAL FEDERAL CREDIT UN (Denied card)
7. Feb 24, 2020 CITIBANK NA CITIBANK NA (Prior Citi CLI that was denied)

 

Experian FICO: 827 (From Wells Fargo Bank)

TransUnion FICO: 824 (From Barclays Bank)

Equifax FICO: 770 (From DCU older version of score)

 

Thoughts?

[MarvBear]

They only must cite one reason for their adverse action.

[PotO]

I've got Citi AA Miles card from 2019 still with same credit limit I opened with.  Denied again for CLI, reason given was:

 

At this time, we're unable to approve this request because your credit report shows too many recent inquiries.

 

However, I wonder if that is the full story since they have BK loss with me that is off my credit reports now?  Are they obligated to cite that in their reasons if part of their decision making process?

 

My inquiries on Equifax they referred to:

 

1. Feb 17, 2021 PENTAGON FCU (Denied CLI, max exposure)
2. Feb 17, 2021 DIGITAL FEDERAL CREDIT UN (Denied card)
3. Dec 29, 2020 CORELOGIC CREDCO CORELOGIC for BACHOMELOANSECOMMDMA (Mortgage approved)
4. Apr 20, 2020 CREDCO/QUICKEN CREDCO/QUICKEN for QUICKEN LOANS INC
5. Mar 07, 2020 PENTAGON FCU (Approved CLI)
6. Mar 07, 2020 DIGITAL FEDERAL CREDIT UN (Denied card)
7. Feb 24, 2020 CITIBANK NA CITIBANK NA (Prior Citi CLI that was denied)

 

Experian FICO: 827 (From Wells Fargo Bank)

TransUnion FICO: 824 (From Barclays Bank)

Equifax FICO: 770 (From DCU older version of score)

 

Thoughts?

 

Citi only looks back, at most, a year on inquiries. Even with today's heightened ban paranoia, three inquires is not why your CLI request was denied. None of them are even within the past 6 months.

 

If you have caused Citi a loss previously, they will probably hold that against you for a long, long time. I haven't seen any recent cases with Citi, but Chase, Navy Federal, USAA, Bank of America and even American Express hold these things against people for a virtual lifetime. I doubt Citi is any different.

 

[mention]MarvBear [/mention]is correct that they must provide one reason, but where he misses the mark is that the law requires them to provide THE main reason. The reason they gave you about inquires is pure b.s. and nothing but b.s.. If you were so inclined, you could recon and the underwriter would probably give you more details, and even mention the previous loss. You could also go to the Citi EO and they'd likely tell you also. A CFPB complaint would elicit the truth -- or a reasonable equivalent -- from Citi.

 

I have two Citi cards along with two others underwritten by Citi. And I also always have a boatload of inquiries. When I ask for a CLI they always refuse and use the story about inquiries, but they always say "too many inquiries within the past 6 months" or words to that effect. Their look-back period is never two years -- not even one. Along with the mention of inquiries, Citi also says that another reason is that I don't use the cards much. And that is true. I probably only put $25 on them every three months. That is the real reason. The inquires excuse is just b.s..

 

 

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[CTSoxFan]

I'm with PotO on this one.  As I mentioned before, although they don't outwardly say it, Citi treats me as a second class citizen in some ways due to my prior BK.  I never get BT offers and all of my recent (within the past 3 years) CLIs have been declined for bs reasons.  Meanwhile DW has two cards and gets CLIs like clockwork and BTs every two weeks.

[PotO]

I'm with PotO on this one.  As I mentioned before, although they don't outwardly say it, Citi treats me as a second class citizen in some ways due to my prior BK.  I never get BT offers and all of my recent (within the past 3 years) CLIs have been declined for bs reasons.  Meanwhile DW has two cards and gets CLIs like clockwork and BTs every two weeks.

It's unfortunate when they do that, but we have come to learn that it is how the game is played. Chase and Bank of America also are known to do the same. Still, they are better than AmEx, USAA or Navy Federal in at least they let you get a foot back in the door.


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[CTSoxFan]

On 10/21/2021 at 6:30 AM, PotO said:

It's unfortunate when they do that, but we have come to learn that it is how the game is played. Chase and Bank of America also are known to do the same. Still, they are better than AmEx, USAA or Navy Federal in at least they let you get a foot back in the door.


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AmEx has given me the middle finger for the better part of the last 20 years.  Now that we closed our re-fi I am free to take another shot.  Chase and BoA have both mentioned the BK at one point or another in the relationship, but neither has ever held it against me in their final decision process or lending habits.  I most recently obtained my last Chase card around 18 months ago and have over $115K in CLs with them, and I am capped by BoAs at $99.9K (seems to be some kind of soft limit, others have reported similar), but get BT offers and the like monthly. 

[PotO]

 
AmEx has given me the middle finger for the better part of the last 20 years.  Now that we closed our re-fi I am free to take another shot.  Chase and BoA have both mentioned the BK at one point or another in the relationship, but neither has ever held it against me in their final decision process or lending habits.  I most recently obtained my last Chase card around 18 months ago and have over $115K in CLs with them, and I am capped by BoAs at $99.9K (seems to be some kind of soft limit, others have reported similar), but get BT offers and the like monthly. 

True, but we all know that AmEx takes things to an extreme and rarely forgives. Navy, USAA and PenFed are the same.

I do know that Chase and Bank of America can still hold a grudge in some circumstances. About 35 years ago I had my account at Chase and at Bank of America hijacked by my cousin, the lawyer. Without my knowledge he opened two cards in my name and then left a bill over $100,000 between the two. Nobody ever called me and the only way I found out is because I just happened to get the fluke idea to check my credit reports and saw the extraordinary damage.

I immediately notified both Chase and Bank of America and they were complete richards about it. They both notified law enforcement and they were going to prosecute my cousin, but without my cooperation they would have found it difficult. I was caught between a rock and a hard place because I didn't want to really cause damage to my cousin (although he was a scumbag), but I didn't want to see Chase and Bank of America get screwed.

Anyhow, even though it was confirmed by authorities to be identity theft, the only thing Chase and Bank of America would give me is one card with a $5,000 limit -- for over ten years. When calling for CLIs they always let slip, "Oh, you screwed us for a lot of money before."

After a few years right before the SOL was set to expire on the criminal charges, the DA indicted my cousin with the idea to use that to get him to pay back the money. It worked. He paid back all the money and the DA quashed the indictment. Even after getting all their money back, Chase and Bank of America still treated me like crap and when talking to underwriting on recon calls, they always let slip that I screwed them before.

One time a Bank of America underwriter was particularly obnoxious and I finally had enough. I called the DA who handled the case and he called the NYS AG. The AG called someone at Bank of America and Chase and threatened a good FITA if they didn't stop holding me liable for something I never did. Both Chase and Bank of America completely deleted everything from their records and now I'm over $100k with each.

Anyhow, I know they hold stuff against people. Maybe you are lucky, or maybe the amounts were low or maybe they treat BK cases better. At least AmEx, Navy, USAA and PenFed come right out and tell you right from the start that you can FOAD forever. The others just try to hide why they treat you like crap.


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[PotO]

 
... and I am capped by BoAs at $99.9K (seems to be some kind of soft limit, others have reported similar), but get BT offers and the like monthly. 

I have about $125k with Bank of America, not counting a biz card. Perhaps I am grandfathered in to a higher amount? Same with USAA.


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[CTSoxFan]

Did you have multiple BoA cards or have cards from banks that were acquired by BoA?  Just wondering that that is maybe the difference.  

 

Another possible variable of my BoA experience is I didn't actually IIB them, I IIB a bank that they purchased, well before that bank was acquired by BoA.  Obviously they still have the records, but wonder if it makes a difference.  Amount was around $5k.  Chase was around $6k.

 

Thankfully some things are still right in the world, AmEx just told me I can continue to FOAD in their eyes.  I'll knock on their door again in 6 months.

Edited October 22, 2021 by CTSoxFan

[PotO]

Did you have multiple BoA cards or have cards from banks that were acquired by BoA?  Just wondering that that is maybe the difference.  
 
Another possible variable of my BoA experience is I didn't actually IIB them, I IIB a bank that they purchased, well before that bank was acquired by BoA.  Obviously they still have the records, but wonder if it makes a difference.  Amount was around $5k.  Chase was around $6k.
 
Thankfully some things are still right in the world, AmEx just told me I can continue to FOAD in their eyes.  I'll knock on their door again in 6 months.

I believe, IIRC, it was a Bank of America card.

At least with AmEx you don't burn an INQ and they are upfront on where they stand. I did hear that after about ten years they may forget.

I clearly remember the underwriter from Bank of America that caused me to go postal. Speaking with her very nicely and asking her for recommendations on what I could do to see better results if I tried again in the future, she muttered under her breath "50 fooking thousand" and then stated "You need to lower your expectations with Bank of America."


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[centex]

7 hours ago, PotO said:

I do know that Chase and Bank of America can still hold a grudge in some circumstances. About 35 years ago I had my account at Chase and at Bank of America hijacked by my cousin, the lawyer. Without my knowledge he opened two cards in my name and then left a bill over $100,000 between the two. Nobody ever called me and the only way I found out is because I just happened to get the fluke idea to check my credit reports and saw the extraordinary damage.

I immediately notified both Chase and Bank of America and they were complete richards about it. They both notified law enforcement and they were going to prosecute my cousin, but without my cooperation they would have found it difficult. I was caught between a rock and a hard place because I didn't want to really cause damage to my cousin (although he was a scumbag), but I didn't want to see Chase and Bank of America get screwed.

Anyhow, even though it was confirmed by authorities to be identity theft, the only thing Chase and Bank of America would give me is one card with a $5,000 limit -- for over ten years. When calling for CLIs they always let slip, "Oh, you screwed us for a lot of money before."

Some of the BofA issues come from the MBNA holdovers that came in with that merger...some of the ID theft losses in my case involved about $40K to MBNA.  For years post-merger, those were cited as the basis for closing an older Fleet account I had when THAT merger occurred as well as refusing line increases on a Merrill card.  It took almost 20 years from the loss to get a CLI out of the bastages...but I still remain gun-shy with them. 

[CTSoxFan]

8 hours ago, PotO said:

At least with AmEx you don't burn an INQ and they are upfront on where they stand. I did hear that after about ten years they may forget.

 

 

LOL...next year it'll be 20 and they have not forgotten...

Edited October 22, 2021 by CTSoxFan

[Menta33]

Regarding AmEx, they were IIB by me in 1994, but allowed me to become AU in 2011.  My DW IIB them in 2009, and last check in 2016, they would not allow her to be an AU.

 

I inherited my parents AmEx accounts (opened in 1969), and it is now in my name, and I've gotten CLI up to $25K total exposure, which I think is the limit before you have to provide lots of documentation.

[PotO]

 
LOL...next year it'll be 20 and they have not forgotten...

Wow!!!!! Twenty years is a heck of a long time.

I'm not sure where I heard people saying they were on the shyte list for only ten years.

Have you tried becoming an AU? There has to be a way to get back in other than giving them $$. Have you tried an e-mail to Mr. Squeri?


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[PotO]

Regarding AmEx, they were IIB by me in 1994, but allowed me to become AU in 2011.  My DW IIB them in 2009, and last check in 2016, they would not allow her to be an AU.
 
I inherited my parents AmEx accounts (opened in 1969), and it is now in my name, and I've gotten CLI up to $25K total exposure, which I think is the limit before you have to provide lots of documentation.

I have well over $100k and they have never asked for any documentation.

They used to ask for tax returns when asking for a CLI after I hit $100k, but then I'd just apply for a new card and it would be approved without documentation. I cannot apply for any new AmEx credit card now as I am at their 5-card limit.


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[CTSoxFan]

On 10/23/2021 at 1:31 AM, PotO said:

Wow!!!!! Twenty years is a heck of a long time.

I'm not sure where I heard people saying they were on the shyte list for only ten years.

Have you tried becoming an AU? There has to be a way to get back in other than giving them $$. Have you tried an e-mail to Mr. Squeri?


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The general consensus (of course there are outliers which is why I say general consensus) is that the 10 years is for those whose loss was <$10k.  I do not fall in that camp.

 

I have no intention of giving them $$.  At one point I tried writing a few letters and got nowehere fast.  Have tried becoming an AU on DWs card in the past and was declined.  We haven't had an AmEx product in a couple of years at least.  She is on a different shitlist whereas she'll get approved but they won't let her get any signup bonuses, regardless of whether she would typically qualify, so Amex pretty much gets the double tall boy from us at this point until they get off their high horse.

[PotO]

 
The general consensus (of course there are outliers which is why I say general consensus) is that the 10 years is for those whose loss was  
I have no intention of giving them $$.  At one point I tried writing a few letters and got nowehere fast.  Have tried becoming an AU on DWs card in the past and was declined.  We haven't had an AmEx product in a couple of years at least.  She is on a different shitlist whereas she'll get approved but they won't let her get any signup bonuses, regardless of whether she would typically qualify, so Amex pretty much gets the double tall boy from us at this point until they get off their high horse.

Well, when push comes to shove AmEx is expendable. You will not die without them.

On a somewhat related note, I don't think a bank should be allowed to punish someone forever over including them in BK. There are people who end up in BK due to events or circumstances far, far beyond their control. 20 years is far too long for then to be vindictive little baztards.


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[racer7949]

14 hours ago, PotO said:

Well, when push comes to shove AmEx is expendable. You will not die without them.

 

Yet the mystique lives on as a demonstration of the amazing power of branding.

[PotO]

 
Yet the mystique lives on as a demonstration of the amazing power of branding.

Very true. If they've done anything right, it's been building up one hell of a brand.


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