The Arro Card Application Process: A Different Approach to Approval
Because the Arro Card uses alternative data rather than traditional FICO® scores for approval, its application process is distinctly different from a typical credit card application. It focuses on your current financial stability rather than your past credit history.
Here is how the Arro application experience differs and what you can expect:
How the Arro Application Differs From Traditional Applications
- Credit Check:
- Arro Card: Uses a Soft Inquiry only; this has no impact on your credit score.
- Traditional Cards: Requires a Hard Inquiry that temporarily lowers your score.
- Data Used for Approval:
- Arro Card: Relies on bank account activity, income verification, current balance, and cash flow insights.
- Traditional Cards: Primarily uses your FICO® Score, credit report history, and debt-to-income ratio.
- Verification Method:
- Arro Card: Requires instant digital bank linking (e.g., via a secure service like Plaid).
- Traditional Cards: May require manual income verification (e.g., submitting pay stubs or tax forms).
- Time to Decision:
- Arro Card: Decisions are usually instant (within minutes).
- Traditional Cards: Decisions can be instant or take several days if a manual review is needed.
The Arro Card Application Process: Step-by-Step
The process is designed to be fully digital, fast, and secure:
1. Basic Information & Account Setup
- Provide basic personal information (name, address, email, phone number) to create an account within the Arro app.
- Confirm your identity (e.g., providing your Social Security Number, only for verification purposes—no hard credit check is run).
2. The Key Step: Linking Your Bank Account
- Securely link your primary checking account via a service like Plaid, which connects to thousands of banks securely. Arro cannot access your login credentials; it only reads financial data.
- Why they do this: Arro verifies your income and analyzes your cash flow patterns and account balances (which must be at least $50). It evaluates your current financial health rather than just past credit.
3. Instant Approval Decision & Card Details
- Once your bank account is linked and the data is analyzed (usually within seconds to minutes), you receive an instant decision.
- If approved, you are given your starting credit limit (e.g., $50–$200) and information regarding your annual fee and APR.
- The physical card is mailed to you, and you can usually start using a virtual card immediately within the app.
In essence, the Arro process is faster and less stressful because it removes the anxiety of a hard credit check and focuses on verifying your current financial ability to manage the card responsibly.
Related Arro Card Articles
- Arro Card: Build Unsecured Credit with No Hard Credit Check
- Examples of Arro Card In-App Challenges
- How to Make Arro Card Online Payments: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Managing Your Arro Card Account: A Tour of the Mobile App and Online Portal
Arro Card
- No hard inquiry to apply.
- Apply in 5 minutes or less.
- Get up to $300 with the unsecured Arro Card. Grow your credit line up to $2,500.
- Earn 1% cash back on gas & groceries, including Walmart and Target
- Instantly increase your credit limit as you master your personal finances in the Arro app.
- Reports to all 3 credit bureaus.
- The Arro Card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank, member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International.
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
*Subject to terms and conditions
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FICO® Credit Scores
A FICO® Score is a proprietary credit score created by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). About 90% of top U.S. lenders use it to make lending decisions.
FICO® Score Ranges:
- Exceptional: 800–850
- Very Good: 740–799
- Good: 670–739
- Fair: 580–669
- Poor: 300–579
FICO categorizes scores as Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, and Exceptional.
What is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a three-digit number (300–850) predicting your creditworthiness. Lenders use it to evaluate risk and determine rates and terms for credit.
Why it matters: A higher score can help you qualify for loans and lower interest rates. A lower score can lead to higher borrowing costs or application denials.
FICO® Credit Score Facts
- Three-Digit Number: Summarizes your credit risk.
- Range: 300–850; higher scores = lower risk.
- Data Source: Uses your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
- Industry Standard: Lenders rely on FICO for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards.
Note: Credit scores reflect your creditworthiness but do not guarantee approval for any credit product.
Security Notice: All participating issuers use secure application systems protected by Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption to help protect your information.
*See the online credit card applications for details about terms and conditions of credit card offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on the " Apply Now " button you can review the credit card terms and conditions on the credit card issuer's web site.
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