Theory:

My Bank Atlantic business card applications on 7/30/2007 and 8/18/2008 were recorded on my ICS/ARS report as Columbus Bank & Trust and Total System Services, Inc (respectively).

I received a small credit balance refund check today from my 1st Bank Atlantic biz card. On the check it clearly states: payable through Columbus Bank and Trust Company

Can anyone that applied for a Bank Atlantic biz and has a recent ICS/ARS report in hand either confirm or refute my theory?

jackcrawfish said:My Bank Atlantic business card applications on 7/30/2007 and 8/18/2008 were recorded on my ICS/ARS report as Columbus Bank & Trust and Total System Services, Inc (respectively).
Just received my report.

I have an inquiry from Total System Services on the day that I applied for the Bank Atlantic card. I have two inquiries from Juniper the next business day (also applied for a personal card).

I can also shoot a hole in the one-year drop-off theory. I have two inquiries from thirteen months ago on my report.

Do ICS inquiries ever drop off, after 2 years ?

from an Bankers' Bank April 2007 pdf...

The ICS is a reporting service that consolidates data on credit applications for Visa and MasterCard®. ICS reporting allows issuers to review a cardholder’s application history including how many times the applicant has applied for bankcards in the recent past, whether applications are done at multiple addresses, and much more. Reporting to ICS is a seamless process that happens automatically when you approve applications. The FIS system automatically sends the application information when we load the account. For declined applications, the only way that ICS will be aware, as required to be in compliance with regulations, is to submit an “Issuers Clearinghouse Actions” form to Bankers’ Bank.

....Customers Have Recourse for ICS Actions

ICS is not intended to be used as the basis for credit decisions, but rather as a source from which [the issuer can] follow up to collect additional information. If [the issuers] decide to close a cardholder’s account based upon information [they] receive in an ICS report, this is considered an Adverse Action and the customer must be given the opportunity to contact the ICS administrator in the declination letter. Advanced Resolution Services (ARS) handles all contacts with customers regarding consumer disputes.

Also discovered that Advanced Resolution Services is a subsidiary of VISA, Inc. (source)

good link here regarding the "other reporting agencies: http://www.monetarycents.com/2007/07/other-consumer-reporting-ag...

It includes information which supports the "inquiries remain only for one year" claim

Alcibiades said:jackcrawfish said:ICS is not intended to be used as the basis for credit decisionsFNBO has denied CC applications and mentioned excess ICS inquiries as a reason. Not the only reason, but ICS was listed as a reason.

Any and all MC and VISA applications (within the last year it seems) from the same address are collected. Bumping all your AOR inquiries from TU and EQ will not avoid this.
Also denied for FNBO's new card b/c of ICS though originally approved.

I filed a dispute approx 4 weeks ago with ARS. I'll post my results here once I get the updated reort... (Jeopardy music - tick-tock, tick-tock)

One of my disputes was for an application for credit. A rep called me and advised that they cannot dispute applications - only tradeline information.

Separately, I've been applying for a bunch of checking accounts recently... I'll post whether any of the banks I applied with post an ICS application inquiry one I get an updated report.