Household Bank, HSBC becoming major credit card issuer

By Ben Woolsey

HSBC is a relatively new name to the American banking landscape, but it is one of the largest financial organizations on the planet. HSBC stands for Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, and it has banking operations in Europe, Asia and now North America. A few years ago HSBC purchased Household Bank, a leading issuer of consumer credit. The acquisition provided HSBC, based in London, with a firm foothold on the U.S. credit card market.

With the purchase of Household, HSBC acquired several card relationships. Among these was the GM Flexible Earnings Card, the HSBC Platinum MasterCard with Cash Back, which provides 1 percent cash back on all purchases, and the HSBC Platinum MasterCard with Cash or Fly Rewards Card that offers cash back or travel rewards.

The Orchard Bank Platinum MasterCard is designed for those who have no credit history and need to establish a credit rating, or those with less than perfect or bad credit.

Published: June 5, 2005

	Three most recent Innovations, features, new products stories: 4 questions to ask before you co-sign on a credit card – Explore alternatives and find out what you're in for with these questions for anyone who asks you to be a co-signer on a credit car or other loan ... Toys R Us joins retailers offering layaway plans – 'Pay now, buy later' plan feeds on consumers' new distaste for debt ... 10 flu-fighting credit card tips – Cards can carry germs, but with these precautions, you can be an inhospitable host for flu and other bugs ...

	CreditCards.com's newsletter Did you like this story? Then sign up for CreditCards.com’s weekly e-newsletter for the latest news, advice, articles and tips. It's FREE. Once a week you will receive the top credit card industry news in your inbox. Sign up now!