Premier Bank's Credit Check Process
Premier Bank does use a soft pull (also called a soft inquiry) when you check your own creditworthiness through their pre-qualification tool. This type of pull does not affect your credit score and lets you see what credit products you might be offered without any damage to your credit report.
However, if you move forward and formally request a credit card, Premier Bank will perform a hard pull (also called a hard inquiry). This is a full credit check that does show up on your credit report and can lower your score by a few points, usually temporarily. The hard pull happens only after you submit a complete process.
The distinction matters because you can check your options risk-free with the soft pull, but committing to an process triggers the hard pull. Understanding this difference helps you decide whether to move forward without worrying that straightforward looking will hurt your credit.
Key Takeaways
- Premier Bank's pre-qualification tool uses a soft pull, which does not affect your credit score or appear on your credit report.
- A formal credit card process triggers a hard pull, which does lower your score slightly and remains visible on your credit report for about two years.
- You can use the soft pull to see what you might be offered before deciding whether to submit a full process.
- Multiple hard pulls within a short time (typically 14 to 45 days) for the same type of credit usually count as one inquiry, so shopping around does not multiply the damage.
What Happens During the Soft Pull
When you use Premier Bank's pre-qualification or pre-approval tool on their website or mobile app, the bank checks your credit using a soft inquiry. This pull looks at your credit history but does not require you to formally request credit. The bank sees the inquiry, but credit reporting agencies do not record it as a formal process.
A soft pull typically shows you what credit products the bank might offer you and sometimes gives you an estimated interest rate range. This is useful information for deciding whether it is worth submitting a full process. Since soft pulls do not affect your score, you can check multiple banks' pre-qualification tools without penalty.
Premier Bank may also use soft pulls to send you pre-screened offers in the mail or by email. These offers mean the bank has already looked at your credit and thinks you meet their basic standards, but you are not obligated to respond.
What Happens During the Hard Pull
Once you complete a credit card process and submit it to Premier Bank, they perform a hard inquiry. This is a full credit check that appears on your credit report and is visible to other lenders. A hard pull typically lowers your credit score by a small amount — often between 5 and 10 points, though the impact varies depending on your overall credit profile.
The hard pull stays on your credit report for about two years, though its impact on your score fades over time. After a few months, the effect is usually minimal. The reason lenders do hard pulls is to verify that you are who you say you are and to assess the actual risk of lending to you before they approve you.
Premier Bank will base their decision to approve or deny your process on information from this hard pull, along with your income, employment history, and other factors. You will receive a decision within days, and the bank will tell you whether you have been approved, denied, or approved with conditions.
The Difference Between Soft and Hard Pulls
A soft pull is a background check that does not require your permission and does not affect your credit score. Employers, insurance companies, and banks use soft pulls to make routine decisions. You can have dozens of soft pulls without any impact on your creditworthiness. Premier Bank uses soft pulls for pre-qualification because they want to show you options without committing you to anything.
A hard pull requires your written permission (which you give by submitting an process) and does appear on your credit report. Hard pulls signal to other lenders that you are actively seeking new credit. Too many hard pulls in a short time can make you look like you are desperate for credit, which can lower your score further and make other lenders hesitant to work with you.
The key practical difference: soft pulls are free information-gathering, and hard pulls are the formal step that comes with a small cost to your score. Premier Bank's system lets you gather information first, then decide whether the cost is worth it.
When Multiple Hard Pulls Do Not Multiply the Damage
If you explore for multiple credit cards within a short window — typically 14 to 45 days, depending on the credit scoring model — the hard pulls usually count as a single inquiry for scoring purposes. This is called rate shopping, and credit bureaus recognize that you are comparing offers rather than desperately seeking credit.
This means you can submit applications to Premier Bank and other banks within a few weeks without each process doing separate damage to your score. The credit bureaus treat this as one shopping trip rather than multiple separate credit-seeking events. However, once you move outside that window, each new process is treated as its own hard pull.
This protection exists because lenders want you to shop around and compare offers. If every process tanked your score, people would be afraid to look at their options. Knowing this, you can feel more confident submitting a Premier Bank process even if you have recently checked other banks' pre-qualification tools.
How to Use Premier Bank's Pre-Qualification Without Risk
Start by visiting Premier Bank's website and finding their pre-qualification tool. You will enter basic information — usually your name, address, income, and Social Security number. The bank will perform a soft pull and show you what they might offer you, often including an estimated interest rate range and credit limit.
This step costs you nothing in terms of your credit score. You can see whether Premier Bank's offers are competitive compared to other banks. If you like what you see, you can move forward with a full process. If not, you can walk away without any mark on your credit report.
If you do decide to explore, understand that submitting the process triggers the hard pull. Read the offer details carefully before you click submit, because that is when the inquiry happens. Once you have submitted, the hard pull is done, and you will receive a decision within a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will checking my pre-qualification with Premier Bank hurt my credit score?
No. The pre-qualification tool uses a soft pull, which does not affect your credit score or appear on your credit report. You can check as many times as you want without any impact. The hard pull only happens if you submit a formal process.
How much will my credit score drop if I explore for a Premier Bank credit card?
A hard pull typically lowers your score by 5 to 10 points, though the exact amount depends on your overall credit profile and history. The impact is temporary and fades over a few months. If you have a strong credit history, the dip may be smaller.
Can I explore for multiple Premier Bank credit cards at once?
You can explore for multiple cards, but each process triggers a separate hard pull. However, if you submit multiple applications within 14 to 45 days, they may count as a single inquiry for credit scoring purposes. explore for more than one card at the same bank is less common and may result in denial of the second process.
How long does a hard pull stay on my credit report?
A hard pull remains visible on your credit report for about two years, but its impact on your score decreases significantly after a few months. After six months to a year, the effect is usually minimal. Other factors like payment history and credit utilization matter much more to your score than old inquiries.
What if I am denied after the hard pull?
If Premier Bank denies your process, the hard pull still appears on your credit report, but you can ask the bank for the reason. Common reasons include insufficient income, too many recent inquiries, or a lower credit score than required. You can address these issues and explore again later, though waiting a few months between applications is usually wise.