Credit Card Application Process

I have previously owned a credit card from China Merchants Bank, but I recently applied for the CITIC Bank's White Strip Co-branded Card (in collaboration with X Company) as a record and to facilitate repayment of the white strip. This card does not provide significant advantages for me, except for the convenience of using it for white strip repayment. Additionally, if you are not yet a white strip user, applying for this card will automatically open a white strip account for you.

1. Application Address

You can directly apply for the card on X Company's platform: JD White Strip. Click on the White Strip Co-branded Card and fill in the required information. Please refer to step two for important details.

2. Important Notes

• Make sure to provide accurate information; otherwise, your application will be rejected.
• Specify your address down to the house number. I made the mistake of not providing the specific house number during my first online application.
• Provide accurate educational background information, as it will be verified through the Education Credit System. If you have not yet graduated from university (i.e., obtained your degree), indicate high school education.
• If your application is rejected, you can try applying through a different bank or using a different method. Avoid repeatedly applying to the same bank to avoid being blacklisted.
• You can check your personal credit report through the Personal Credit Information System. This system is operated by the People's Bank of China and requires registration and verification through UnionPay. The process can be a bit cumbersome. If you have concerns about the website, you can search for more information online.

3. Personal Application Process

Over a year ago, when I was still in university, I was rejected multiple times for online and in-person credit card applications until one day, a China Merchants Bank representative changed my educational background to high school, and surprisingly, my application was approved. However, last month on February 29th, I applied for the CITIC Bank's White Strip Co-branded Card, and the process was much smoother this time.

The next day (March 1st), CITIC Bank called to confirm my application (almost all banks will call to confirm; if you don't receive a call after waiting for a few days, it's likely that your application was rejected). They usually call the company's landline first, and if someone else answers, they will ask for the company name and whether you work there before transferring the call to you. However, in my case, my extension was busy, so the customer service representative called my mobile phone and asked me some basic questions: company name and address. Please note that your answers must match the information provided in your application and be complete (including the full company name and specific address down to the house number).

Less than an hour after the phone call, I received an SMS notification from CITIC Bank stating that my application had passed the initial review and that I needed to visit any CITIC Bank branch within 10 days for identity verification. Since I had to work, I went to the CITIC Bank branch on a weekend (March 6th) to complete the face-to-face interview. I filled out a form with personal information and answered a few basic questions, mostly about company name and address. The representative said my answers matched the application information, and my application was approved. They asked me to wait for the card to arrive.

Later that evening (March 6th), I received another SMS notification from CITIC Bank stating that my credit card with the ending digits XXXX had been successfully linked to my bank account for automatic repayment. I was confused because I had just applied for the card. In fact, this message implied that my credit card had passed the review process, and I should wait to receive the card.

4. Additional Information

• CITIC Bank Credit Card WeChat Official Account: zxyhxyk. You can quickly check your application status through this account. If the status shows "audit completed," it means your application has been approved.
• Send an SMS with "YE" followed by the last four digits of your card number (e.g., YE8888) to 106980095558 to quickly check your credit limit.
• After your application is approved, you will receive an SMS with the last four digits of your card number. Even without the physical card, you can still check your credit limit. Alternatively, you can call customer service for inquiries.

Finally, I wish all friends who need to apply for a credit card success in their applications, and I hope this article is helpful.