Exactly which piece of paper do we need?

July 8, 2015 10:10 AM

(Asking for a friend.) My friend just applied for a credit card and got a letter back asking for a letter on original letterhead from her bank with her home address, and we don't really know what would make the CC company happy.

Here's the full text of the parts of the letter we're not sure about:

Before we can finish processing your application, please provide the following information:

Your home address. Please provide a letter on original letterhead from your bank confirming your home address, including their title and signature. This information is essential to your personal protection as well as our records.

I can think of a couple pieces of paperwork she could get from her bank that would definitely have her address on it, but we're confused about what passes for a "title and signature." That, and if a printout of this document would suffice or not. Has anyone else had to jump through this particular hoop before, and made it work? This is with Amex, if it matters any.

posted by un petit cadeau to Work & Money (4 answers total)

Have her ask her bank for a "credit verification letter." They do this all the time.
posted by tckma at 10:11 AM on July 8, 2015

I think they mean a person at your bank needs to sign the letter and include what their job title is. However, before getting something that may not work, I'd call Amex and ask.
posted by soelo at 10:24 AM on July 8, 2015 [1 favorite]

Bank of America can write you a letter on letterhead and have a personal banker sign it, or they can print out your balance info with name/address and stamp it officially, then sign that. I understand other banks can also do this, sometimes with a little lead time, sometimes on the spot. Generally you can just walk in and ask. They are usually happy to help.
posted by blnkfrnk at 6:51 PM on July 8, 2015

Yeah, walk into a branch and approach one of the folks sitting at a desk. Show them the letter, and they'll have you. They even have templates like this... If you are indeed a customer. It just verifies that you are who you say you are and you really do bank there.
posted by kschang at 11:13 PM on July 8, 2015