"Denied"
Citi® Dividend® Card for College Students Review
Written by: meya on 2008-10-16
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meya's review: 
Although I was denied this card, I will still recommend it to someone who has a better credit history than I do.
Well here is my reason. They said that my current available debit in comparison to my income was too high. OK Citibank, what in the heck are you talking about? My highest credit card (or charge account) is only $5k and only $615 is used from that one. My util is about at 60% on some cards and as low as 10% on others. I have a baddie on eq and Tu that is about to fall off next year. I came at you guys with a clean ex report and you guys still denied me. I do believe that they are using my student loans against my debt. That is the only thing that I can see because it has me in debt for $60K but the bad part about that is THEY ARE ALL IN DEFERMENT!
Here is what trips me out. OK, I was not denied for high util nor was I denied for the charge off. The card specifically said that there was "No min income requirement" & " NO co signer needed" If that was case, what did that mean toward me? Please don't tell me that they are judging me according where I shop or live! That is the only thing that I can see.
It's time for the big re-con everyone. Wish me luck because I am going for a battle with this one. I need the back door number and a glass of Bacardi, it's about time me and Citi had a talk!
Although I was denied this card, I will still recommend it to someone who has a better credit history than I do. Well here is my reason. They said that my current available debit in comparison to my income was too high. OK Citibank, what in the heck are you talking about? My highest credit card (or charge account) is only $5k and only $615 is used from that one. My util is about at 60% on some cards and as low as 10% on others. I have a baddie on eq and Tu that is about to fall off next year. I came at you guys with a clean ex report and you guys still denied me. I do believe that they are using my student loans against my debt. That is the only thing that I can see because it has me in debt for $60K but the bad part about that is THEY ARE ALL IN DEFERMENT!
Here is what trips me out. OK, I was not denied for high util nor was I denied for the charge off. The card specifically said that there was "No min income requirement" & " NO co signer needed" If that was case, what did that mean toward me? Please don't tell me that they are judging me according where I shop or live! That is the only thing that I can see.
It's time for the big re-con everyone. Wish me luck because I am going for a battle with this one. I need the back door number and a glass of Bacardi, it's about time me and Citi had a talk!
13 Comments
Comment 1 by adicus
LOL! My Goodness. 
on 2008-10-16
A sit down with Citi? No, no, you need a 2x4 and a tank of kerosene.
On a serious note, I'm 99% sure that the denial is based on your student loans and your debt to income ratio. Not sure how they formulate/calculate the student loans into that, but they do use it against you.
on 2008-10-16 A sit down with Citi? No, no, you need a 2x4 and a tank of kerosene. On a serious note, I'm 99% sure that the denial is based on your student loans and your debt to income ratio. Not sure how they formulate/calculate the student loans into that, but they do use it against you.
Comment 2 by arod
Call Them And See If. on 2008-10-16
Call them and see if you can get them to change it for a Platinum select I hear it more easy to get approved but call them.
and talk to and account manager and see if anything can be done.
I'm sorry to hear that and I feel your pain but like I always say
don't give up.
Take care and good luck,
Alex
on 2008-10-16 Call them and see if you can get them to change it for a Platinum select I hear it more easy to get approved but call them.and talk to and account manager and see if anything can be done.
I'm sorry to hear that and I feel your pain but like I always say
don't give up.
Take care and good luck,
Alex
Comment 3 by hjm331
Sorry To Hear on 2008-10-16
Meya, sorry to hear about this but this doesn't mean you have to throw in the towel. If anyone deserves a prime card with a high limit, it would be you. You have taught us all here the in's and out's of credit. Just wait until the economy picks up and you will start seeing approvals. Just give it some time. Also, have you tried applying for a credit card with a CU? That would be a better move right about now.
on 2008-10-16 Meya, sorry to hear about this but this doesn't mean you have to throw in the towel. If anyone deserves a prime card with a high limit, it would be you. You have taught us all here the in's and out's of credit. Just wait until the economy picks up and you will start seeing approvals. Just give it some time. Also, have you tried applying for a credit card with a CU? That would be a better move right about now.
Comment 4 by cireone
DENIAL on 2008-10-17
Creditors percieve your debt-to- income ratio differently. Some only take into account your utilization and many look at all your accounts as a whole. I found this out when looking into a home loan. The agent explained to me that een though your utilization is low your open accounts is what matters and if its more than half your income its a red flag.
Anyways, I always hear of non-students getting student cards but they apply in the branch as the banker can make up some ficticious infomation regarding school. I think its risky and never tried it but that's what Ive been seeing in the local branch near my jobsite where I know the bankers, since all but the student and secured cards are for good to excellent credit.
on 2008-10-17 Creditors percieve your debt-to- income ratio differently. Some only take into account your utilization and many look at all your accounts as a whole. I found this out when looking into a home loan. The agent explained to me that een though your utilization is low your open accounts is what matters and if its more than half your income its a red flag.Anyways, I always hear of non-students getting student cards but they apply in the branch as the banker can make up some ficticious infomation regarding school. I think its risky and never tried it but that's what Ive been seeing in the local branch near my jobsite where I know the bankers, since all but the student and secured cards are for good to excellent credit.
Comment 5 by meya
Lost The Reckon on 2008-10-17
Well I lost the reckon, so I am going to sit back and wait until my last baddie fall off of my ex before trying again. I thought that it was my ex that the last co dropped from, when it was the eq that let it go. Well lesson learned, it does take a bat and kerosene to get an understanding but this time gaining more knowledge about how Citi bank works took a big relief off my shoulders. I will be ready when that last baddie leave ex which should be any time soon, or no later than next year. For full details read this link where I posted it:
http://www.financeglobe.com/FN/showthread.php?361&page=5&highlight=nice+cards
Thanks for all of your feedback!
on 2008-10-17 Well I lost the reckon, so I am going to sit back and wait until my last baddie fall off of my ex before trying again. I thought that it was my ex that the last co dropped from, when it was the eq that let it go. Well lesson learned, it does take a bat and kerosene to get an understanding but this time gaining more knowledge about how Citi bank works took a big relief off my shoulders. I will be ready when that last baddie leave ex which should be any time soon, or no later than next year. For full details read this link where I posted it:http://www.financeglobe.com/FN/showthread.php?361&page=5&highlight=nice+cards
Thanks for all of your feedback!
Comment 6 by colonative
Meya on 2008-10-18
Hey Meya,
As strange as it may seem, the student version might be harder to get (possibly because of the student loans). Try going for the Platinum Select MasterCharge. If approved a few months down the road you can call them to change it to a Dividend and even a Visa.
Or... Maybe bite the bullet and get the secured MasterCharge. Once it is unsecured you can have it changed to the Dividend and most likely the Visa.
Don't give up, Citibank is awesome, you just need to get your foot in the door.
on 2008-10-18 Hey Meya,As strange as it may seem, the student version might be harder to get (possibly because of the student loans). Try going for the Platinum Select MasterCharge. If approved a few months down the road you can call them to change it to a Dividend and even a Visa.
Or... Maybe bite the bullet and get the secured MasterCharge. Once it is unsecured you can have it changed to the Dividend and most likely the Visa.
Don't give up, Citibank is awesome, you just need to get your foot in the door.
Comment 7 by meya
True on 2008-10-18
I believe you! But, sinve I already took the hit, I might as well wait until I can get my foot in with no baddies at all. I am going for the card that you recommended, I think mrrob and Thomas said the same thing. Thanks for the info, I am looking forward to doing business with them asap!
on 2008-10-18 I believe you! But, sinve I already took the hit, I might as well wait until I can get my foot in with no baddies at all. I am going for the card that you recommended, I think mrrob and Thomas said the same thing. Thanks for the info, I am looking forward to doing business with them asap!
Comment 8 by eldarwen
Sorry on 2008-10-18
To hear about your denial. Right now, ever CCC is being stingy with handing out new credit cards or giving out increases. I hope that this will soon pass.
on 2008-10-18 To hear about your denial. Right now, ever CCC is being stingy with handing out new credit cards or giving out increases. I hope that this will soon pass.
Comment 9 by januarym7
Maybe? on 2008-10-30
Meya I'm not sure if you have any cards with Citi, but I'm just wanted to let you know that I have a 572 FICO and I was out shopping one day at the Children's Place and they asked if I wanted to save 25% so I said sure I won't get approved, so they asked for my info and a major CC, so anyway there it is approved for $500 so I'm just saying if you want to get your foot in the door maybe it's a shot only apply in the store though :)
on 2008-10-30 Meya I'm not sure if you have any cards with Citi, but I'm just wanted to let you know that I have a 572 FICO and I was out shopping one day at the Children's Place and they asked if I wanted to save 25% so I said sure I won't get approved, so they asked for my info and a major CC, so anyway there it is approved for $500 so I'm just saying if you want to get your foot in the door maybe it's a shot only apply in the store though :)
Comment 10 by meya
True on 2008-10-30
My sister just received The Childrens Place card online last week (I think) and they gave her the account number online. She only received $300, but it was a big jump for her and her scores are in the same range as yours.
I was targeting their Visa/Mastercard since I am basically through with dept store cards. This is a helpful posting and I really appreciate it! Thanks for the reply! Keep it coming!
on 2008-10-30 My sister just received The Childrens Place card online last week (I think) and they gave her the account number online. She only received $300, but it was a big jump for her and her scores are in the same range as yours. I was targeting their Visa/Mastercard since I am basically through with dept store cards. This is a helpful posting and I really appreciate it! Thanks for the reply! Keep it coming!
Comment 11 by thomas1
CITI on 2008-11-02
You WILL get there soon!! Citi surprises me with their approvals. Some get approved who shouldn't, and some get denied who shouldn't.
They used to be so consistent. And, I remembered from working there, that they would approve more people in the fall, probably due to holiday approaching, than anytime in the year. Also, people who live in large metropolitan areas experience higher approvals.
If I were Citi, I would approve you now! :-)
on 2008-11-02 You WILL get there soon!! Citi surprises me with their approvals. Some get approved who shouldn't, and some get denied who shouldn't.They used to be so consistent. And, I remembered from working there, that they would approve more people in the fall, probably due to holiday approaching, than anytime in the year. Also, people who live in large metropolitan areas experience higher approvals.
If I were Citi, I would approve you now! :-)
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Disclaimer: This content is not provided by Citibank. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Citibank. Review content is powered by Finance Globe.
