Is HSBC even offering credit card applications online anymore?

[bluemartini]

I've been researching credit cards that are post-BK friendly, and HSBC is one of the names that keeps coming up.

So I googled HSBC, went to their main website, clicked on "credit cards," and there are only two cards shown.

When I tried to click on them to apply, I'm unable to register or create a username. I think you have to already be a HSBC customer to apply.

If anyone has any info on this, please share here. Thanks.

[iswmle]

I just got an email this afternoon from them asking me to apply for one of their cards to help rebuild credit. I do already have a cc with them that I put my Netflix and *cough*WoW*cough* subscription on and PIF each month, but that card is only about 3 months old. I have their card through Orchard, but from my understanding there is going to be some major upheavals for HSBC products in the next year or so.

[ValleYum]

I think they are now offering many of their cards under the Orchard Bank name - they pre-qualify you and they state it doesn't affect your credit score then you can choose (or choose not to) apply for the card(s) they offer.

Start here:

http://www.orchardbank.com/ecare/homepage/creditcards

Good luck!!

ETA: Here is one for HSBC too: https://www.hsbcapply.com/start/hsbccreditcard

[bluemartini]

Thanks.
I just find it odd that their website lists these two credit cards, including all of the benefits and features of the cards, and then doesn't allow you to apply for them. Weird.

I wonder too, what impact this budget mess in Washington will have on credit card companies putting out offers to new customers in the coming months.

[frogger]

Speaking of HSBC, they announced today that they are laying off 30,000 employees.

[bluemartini]

Well, there ya go.

On second thought -- after I posted this question I started reading some older threads on this board. There was a thread from a few months back titled "how many credit cards are enough?" or something similar.

One of the moderators, I think it was HHM, posted that one sub-prime card is enough to get you started. That if you establish an on-time payment history with them, time will do its work and then maybe in a year or so you will start getting better offers.

I think that is what I'm going to do. I've heard that Orchard and Juniper don't raise your credit limit that much and I don't think I want to get a bunch of little credit cards right now. I got approved for a Cap One over the weekend and I think it has a $29 annual fee. That's plenty for me right now. I don't really need a lot of credit cards, I just want to rebuild my payment history.