underthecovers said:My Mom just got a $2000 CL from CapOne about two weeks ago.. and her credit reports are atrocious (bankruptcy 2 years ago, 80% utilization, and a previous CapOne account was even IIB!)
When I applied a year ago (with 720ish FICO, 5% utilization) I was only given a $500 CL. Typical Cap1.
that's interesting. i've never really thought about it that much before, but it sounds like c1 is actively seeking a different segment that most other providers - namely, people with questionable credit, who are likely to carry a balance and spend a little too much, but not likely to default and file bankruptcy.
this is interesting because most credit card companies do the opposite - their strategy is to target people with good credit, who always pay on time and rarely carry a balance. the reason that they offer Cash Back and all of the other benefits that they do is that statistically, people who pay their bills in full on time every month are likely to go about $10k into credit card debt at least once in their lives. (new baby, midlife crisis, whatever.) when you finally do take the plunge, you're going to charge up whatever card happens to be in your wallet at the time. the benefits are all designed to keep the card in your wallet for as much time as possible. (eg CashBack, but only if you get to $50 minimum.)
from what i've read about cap1, they don't much like college students (most providers do, b/c most students get into cc debt trouble but their parents bail them out in the end, so it's low risk) and they don't much like people with great credit, like me and some posters here. who they do like are people who have had credit trouble in the past, are at high utilization, and are likely to carry a balance.
this could possibly help to explain why they do a triple pull - since the reports aren't all updated at the time, and since many creditors dont report your "last payment" amount, a triple pull lets them get a more accurate picture of whether or not you do carry a balance.
anyone think im right? anyone think im nuts?
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