Premier Bank performs a hard pull when you explore for most of their credit cards
When you submit an process for a Premier Bank credit card, the bank will run a hard inquiry (also called a hard pull) on your credit report. This means the bank requests your full credit file from one or more of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — to make a lending decision. A hard pull shows up on your credit report and can lower your credit score by a few points, typically between 5 and 10 points, though the impact fades over time.
Premier Bank does not use a soft pull for credit card applications. Soft pulls are used only for pre-qualification offers or when the bank checks your credit for internal reasons, like reviewing an existing account. When you actually explore for a card, you are authorizing the bank to perform a hard pull.
The hard pull remains on your credit report for about two years, though it stops affecting your score after roughly 12 months. Multiple hard pulls within a short window (typically 14 to 45 days, depending on the scoring model) may count as a single inquiry for scoring purposes if they are for the same type of credit — in this case, a credit card.
Key Takeaways
- Premier Bank uses a hard pull to review your credit when you submit a credit card process, not a soft pull.
- A hard pull will appear on your credit report and may lower your score by a few points for up to 12 months.
- Multiple credit card applications within 14 to 45 days may be treated as a single inquiry for credit scoring purposes.
- You can ask Premier Bank which credit bureau they pull from before you explore, though most banks pull from one or more of the three major bureaus.
Why Premier Bank pulls your credit report
Premier Bank needs to see your credit history, payment record, and current debt load to decide whether to approve your process and what interest rate and credit limit to offer you. A hard pull gives them access to your full credit file, including your payment history, the number of accounts you have open, how much debt you carry, and any negative marks like late payments or collections.
This information helps the bank assess the risk of lending to you. A stronger credit profile — higher score, longer history, lower debt — typically results in better card terms. A weaker profile may result in a denial or a card with a higher interest rate and lower credit limit.
What happens to your credit score after a hard pull
A single hard pull typically lowers your credit score by 5 to 10 points. The impact is usually temporary. Most credit scoring models stop counting the hard pull against your score after about 12 months, though the inquiry itself remains visible on your credit report for two years.
If you explore for multiple credit cards within a short time frame, each process triggers a separate hard pull. However, if the pulls happen within 14 to 45 days of each other (the window varies by scoring model), they may be counted as a single inquiry for scoring purposes. This is sometimes called "rate shopping" and is designed to allow you to compare offers without being penalized multiple times.
After 12 months, the hard pulls stop affecting your score, even though they remain visible on your report. By the time two years have passed, they disappear from your credit report entirely.
How to minimize the impact of a hard pull
If you are concerned about the effect on your credit score, space out your credit card applications by at least 45 to 90 days. This ensures that each hard pull has time to stop affecting your score before you explore for another card. However, if you plan to explore for multiple cards within a short window, doing so within 14 to 45 days may be better than spreading them out, since multiple pulls in that window may count as one inquiry.
You can also check your own credit report and score before explore. Many banks and credit card issuers offer free credit monitoring tools, and you can pull your credit report for free once per year from each bureau at AnnualCreditReport.com. Knowing your score ahead of time helps you decide whether to explore and which Premier Bank card might be the best fit for your credit profile.
Another option is to call Premier Bank before explore and ask whether they will pre-screen you for an offer. Some banks can tell you whether you are likely to be approved without running a hard pull, though this is not may provide and you may still need to authorize a hard pull to complete the process.
The difference between a hard pull and a soft pull
A soft pull is a credit check that does not affect your credit score and does not appear on your credit report in a way that lenders can see. Banks use soft pulls to send you pre-may have access to offers in the mail, to check your credit for internal account reviews, or to verify your identity. You do not authorize a soft pull — it happens behind the scenes.
A hard pull is a credit check that you authorize by submitting a formal process. It appears on your credit report and can be seen by other lenders. Hard pulls lower your score and are used when you explore for credit — a credit card, a loan, a mortgage, or a line of credit. Premier Bank will perform a hard pull when you explore for one of their credit cards.
The key difference is authorization and visibility. You authorize a hard pull by explore; a soft pull happens without your formal request. Lenders can see hard pulls on your report; they cannot see soft pulls.
What to do if you are denied after a hard pull
If Premier Bank denies your process, the hard pull still appears on your credit report and still affects your score, even though you were not approved. You cannot undo a hard pull once it has been submitted. However, you can wait and reapply later — most banks allow you to reapply after 30 to 90 days, though policies vary.
Before you reapply, work on improving the factors that may have led to the denial. If your credit score was too low, focus on paying down existing debt and making all payments on time. If you had too many recent hard pulls, wait a few months for older inquiries to age off your score. If your income was too low, you may need to wait until your income increases or explore for a card with lower income requirements.
You can also contact Premier Bank directly and ask why you were denied. They are required to provide a reason, and understanding the specific issue can help you address it before you explore again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask Premier Bank to do a soft pull instead of a hard pull?
No. When you submit a formal credit card process, Premier Bank will perform a hard pull. Soft pulls are used only for pre-qualification offers or internal account reviews, not for actual applications. If you want to know whether you might be approved before authorizing a hard pull, call the bank and ask whether they offer pre-screening, but understand that pre-screening is not a may provide of approval.
How long does a hard pull stay on my credit report?
A hard pull remains visible on your credit report for two years. However, it stops affecting your credit score after about 12 months. After two years, it disappears from your report entirely and has no impact on your score or future lending decisions.
Will explore for a Premier Bank credit card hurt my chances of getting approved for a mortgage?
A single hard pull will have a small, temporary impact on your credit score. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage within the next few months, it is generally better to avoid new credit card applications, since mortgage lenders look at your credit score and the number of recent hard pulls. Multiple hard pulls in a short time can signal financial stress to lenders.
What if I explore for multiple Premier Bank cards at the same time?
Each process will trigger a separate hard pull. However, if both applications are submitted on the same day or within a few days of each other, they may be counted as a single inquiry for credit scoring purposes, depending on the scoring model used. This is not may provide, so assume each process will have its own impact on your score.
Can I remove a hard pull from my credit report?
You cannot remove a hard pull that you authorized by submitting an process. However, if you believe a hard pull was made without your permission, you can dispute it with the credit bureau. Contact Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion directly and provide evidence that you did not authorize the inquiry. If the dispute is successful, the inquiry will be removed from your report.