Bjorn is right about available credit on cards etc. A few years ago we decided to downsize our house and was told by the bank that we did not qualify for a $50,000 mortgage ( even though it was less than half of what we had at that time). As it turns out, they had increased out line of credit and credit card limits so much (without our requests)that our available credit was through the roof. They gave us nothing but hassles trying to get this straightened out. Needless to say, we were pissed at them and took our business elsewhere, mortgage and investments. The competing financial institution treated us fairly without any hassles.