Premier Bank uses a hard pull for most credit card applications

Premier Bank runs a hard inquiry (also called a hard pull) when you submit a credit card application. A hard pull means the bank checks your full credit report and credit score, and the inquiry shows up on your credit report for about two years. It can lower your credit score by a few points, usually between 5 and 10 points, though the impact fades over time.

A soft pull, by contrast, does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your score. Premier Bank does not use soft pulls for credit card decisions. If you want to know whether you might be approved before applying, you will need to check your own credit report and score first, or contact Premier Bank directly to ask about pre-qualification offers—though even those often involve a hard pull once you formally apply.

Key Takeaways

  • Premier Bank performs a hard pull on your credit when you submit a credit card application, which appears on your credit report and may lower your score slightly.
  • Hard pulls are standard across most credit card issuers, not unique to Premier Bank, because banks need to see your full credit history to make a lending decision.
  • Multiple hard pulls within 14 to 45 days for credit cards are usually counted as one inquiry by credit scoring models, so shopping around does not multiply the damage.
  • You can check your own credit score and report for free before applying to get a sense of whether approval is likely, without triggering any inquiry yourself.

Why banks use hard pulls instead of soft pulls for credit cards

Credit card issuers use hard pulls because they are making a lending decision—they are deciding whether to give you a line of credit and at what interest rate. A hard pull gives them access to your complete credit history, recent inquiries, accounts, and payment record. A soft pull does not show enough detail for that decision.

Soft pulls are used for things like pre-qualification offers you receive in the mail, or when a company checks your credit to send you a promotional offer. No money is being lent yet, so the bank does not need the full picture. But the moment you actually apply for a card, the bank switches to a hard pull.

How a hard pull affects your credit score

A single hard pull typically lowers your score by 5 to 10 points. The exact impact depends on your credit history, how many other recent inquiries you have, and which credit scoring model is being used. If your score is already low, the impact may be slightly larger. If your score is high and stable, it may be smaller.

The inquiry stays on your credit report for about two years, but the score impact fades much faster—usually within a few months. After six months, most lenders ignore the inquiry when evaluating your creditworthiness.

If you apply for multiple credit cards within a short window—say, two weeks—credit scoring models treat those hard pulls as a single inquiry for scoring purposes. This is called a "rate shopping window." It exists because the scoring models recognize that you are shopping around, not desperately seeking credit. So applying to three cards in one week will not damage your score three times over.

What to check before you apply to Premier Bank

Before you submit an application and trigger a hard pull, pull your own credit report and check your credit score. You can get your credit report for free once per year from each of the three major bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—at AnnualCreditReport.com. You can also check your score for free through many banks, credit card issuers, and credit monitoring services.

Look at your score and your payment history. If you have missed payments in the last two years, high credit card balances, or very few accounts, Premier Bank may decline you. If your score is in the range Premier Bank typically approves (usually 650 or higher, though this varies), your chances are better. Calling Premier Bank's customer service before you apply can also give you a sense of whether approval is likely, though they may still run a hard pull once you formally apply.

The difference between pre-qualification and a formal application

Premier Bank may send you pre-qualification offers in the mail or online. A pre-qualification usually involves a soft pull or no pull at all—the bank is using information it already has to estimate your likelihood of approval. But pre-qualification is not a may provide. Once you submit a formal application, Premier Bank will run a hard pull, and approval is not certain.

Some banks allow you to check pre-qualification status online without triggering any inquiry. If Premier Bank offers this, it is a good way to see whether you are in the ballpark before committing to an application. But read the fine print: some "pre-qualification" tools still involve a hard pull.

What happens after the hard pull

Once Premier Bank runs the hard pull, they review your application and make a decision. This usually takes a few business days to a week. You will receive a decision by mail or email—either an approval, a conditional approval (approval with certain terms), or a denial.

If you are approved, the card is typically mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, the bank must send you a notice explaining the main reasons for the denial, and you have the right to request a free copy of the credit report they used to make the decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a soft pull from Premier Bank before applying?

Premier Bank does not offer soft pulls for credit card decisions. You can check your own credit score and report for free before applying, which does not trigger any inquiry. You can also ask Premier Bank directly whether they have pre-qualification offers available, though even those may involve a hard pull once you formally apply.

Will applying for a Premier Bank card hurt my credit score?

Yes, a hard pull will lower your score by a few points, usually 5 to 10. The impact fades within a few months. If you apply for multiple cards within two weeks, the inquiries count as one for scoring purposes, so the damage is not multiplied.

What if Premier Bank denies me?

You will receive a notice explaining the main reasons for the denial. You can request a free copy of the credit report they used. You can also contact Premier Bank to ask whether you can reapply after addressing the issues they cited—for example, paying down credit card balances or waiting for negative marks to age off your report.

Does Premier Bank do a hard pull for credit limit increases?

Premier Bank may do a soft pull or no pull at all when reviewing you for a credit limit increase, especially if you request one online. But if you apply for a significant increase, they may run a hard pull. Contact Premier Bank to ask what their process is before requesting an increase.

How long does the hard pull stay on my credit report?

The hard pull remains visible on your credit report for about two years, but the score impact fades within a few months. After six months, most lenders disregard it when evaluating your creditworthiness.