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Credit card application outcomes

Here's what you need to know about application outcomes and what to do next.

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Understanding your application outcome

Here's what your application outcome means for you.

  • Not approved

What it means

We know it can be disappointing to hear your application has not been approved.

Here are some of the reasons this might happen, and what you can do next.

We run a soft credit check first

This will show up on your credit file, but it will only be visible to you and won't have a negative impact on your credit rating. If it suggests you're unlikely to be approved, we'll let you know and ask what you want to do next.

If you proceed, we'll run a full credit check which shows on your credit file. This can negatively affect your credit score, especially after multiple full checks in a short time. This can make it harder to get credit in the future.

Possible reasons

Reasons could include:

  • you do not currently meet our eligibility criteria
  • credit reference agency (such as Experian) checks show information about your ability to take on new credit
  • credit scoring and affordability checks indicate that additional borrowing could overcommit you financially
  • fraud or anti–money laundering check results meant we could not proceed

What you can do

If you think there’s been a mistake:

  • check your credit file (for example with Experian) for anything that’s not right
  • appeal the decision if you believe there’s been an error

  • Successful

What it means

Your application has been approved.

If you’re happy to proceed, you’ll need to sign a credit agreement. We’ll provide this in your application portal.

Next steps

Once you’ve signed the credit agreement:

  • we’ll send your credit card number and information on how to use your credit card in your portal
  • you’ll receive your credit card and PIN separately by post

Are you a smile customer?

If this is your first Co-operative Bank account, you can see and manage it in our online banking and mobile app.

How to add an additional card holder

Once your account is open, you can add an additional cardholder.

How to transfer a credit card balance

Once your account is open, you can apply to transfer your balance to your new credit card.

  • Providing documents before an outcome

We may need a bit more information before we can complete your application.

What we might ask for

We may ask for:

  • proof of identity – such as a passport or driving licence
  • proof of address – such as a utility bill or bank statement
  • proof of income – such as recent payslips or bank statements

How to provide these

We’ll send you a secure link to upload your documents digitally.

Do not use the same document for both proof of identity and proof of address.

Get updates in your application portal

Once you’ve submitted your application and received a confirmation text message or email from us, you can check its status by logging into your portal.

Go to application portal

Never share your OTP

If anyone calls and asks you for this, it’s a scam.

MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper is a free to use, government supported advice service to help you with a variety of financial situations. Their aim is to provide you with clear money and pension guidance, online or over the phone.

Get help with banking, budgeting and credit

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