Citibank takes up to 45 to report card account closures to credit reporting bodies

[Mattg]

I had a Citibank credit card which I closed two weeks ago.

Since closing that card, I applied for another credit card with a different bank. To my surprise, this application was immediately rejected citing "information received from credit reporting bodies in Australia".

My credit rating is excellent and I hadn't applied for any other cards recently, so I checked my credit file and noticed that the Citibank card I closed a fortnight ago still shows on there as being active. This card had a high credit limit, which I hadn't disclosed on the new card application because I had already closed that card. I assume the bank didn't like that it was seeing conflicting info and just rejected my application as a result.

I called Citibank and they told me simply that it takes up to 45 days for them to issue a letter stating the card is closed, and to pass on that info to credit reporting bodies. They wouldn't do anything to speed up that process.

Just something to be aware of if you have a Citibank credit card!

 

[oz_mark]

Citibank used to have this process (maybe still do), that a card would go into 'pending closure' until the next statement period, before it actually closed.
It all takes time......

 

[azza007]

I currently have some issues with Experian.
Virgin Money CC & a Citibank CC both closed around end of December 2024.
Another credit agency showed the accounts correctly as closed.
As at 30 June 2025 Experian still showed both accounts as open.
December 2024 was the last date reported according to Experian. So WTF?

 

[Big John]

I usually wait a month after closing a credit card to make sure the closure flows through to Equifax / Experian / Illion.

Given Mattg's experience, I might have to extend my waiting period from 30 days to 45 days.

 

[NoName]

Keep a copy of closure letters they send you and just provide them with the next application. This has always resolved any of these issues for me.