Household HSBC Watch

In the US Banker section of American Banker, we spotted an interesting line: “The concern was, ‘How much subprime do you do? What is your risk of having what Household (International) had?’” It was a question asked of Richard Davis, CEO of U.S. Bancorp, in February 2007. HSBC bought Household in […]

This is a perfect example of HSBC’s exportation of the Household International model of doing business. Credit card interest rates have been increased to as high as 50 percent in India. While proud of making a profit in developing nations HSBC is not alone. ICIC, Deutsche Bank, SBI and HSBC have either […]

With the United States in a recession the double-speak is interesting. Some call the recession of 2000-2001 a “mini-recession.” Now HSBC’s Douglas Flint has a “technical recession.” HSBC finance director Douglas Flint said: “The issue now is the US slowdown and whether it enters a technical recession, and what that does to […]

A former employee of HSBC in Florida sent us this opinion: “Ex-employee from HSBC, parent company of HFC/Beneficial collections team. First I would like to straighten some facts about prior to my bashing. This company is a pay for performance company and each employee has the bonus options. The better you […]

More U.S. banks may fail after the collapse of mortgage lender IndyMac Bancorp Inc, straining a financial system seeking stability after years of lending excesses. More than 300 banks could fail in the next three years, said RBC Capital Markets analyst Gerard Cassidy, who had in February estimated no more than 150. Face […]

Adjustable rates will reset this summer and fall. The timing reflects the height of subprime lending in the summers of 2005 and 2006, when many borrowers secured loans scheduled to adjust in two or three years. For many, an adjustment means their interest rate will go up two to three percentage points. HSBC […]

While I could literally fill up this entire website with a diatribe about employment issues at HSBC, I am going to try and focus on one area for now- my experience with their corrective action program. Just as HSBC bullies and pressures their customers into taking high interest and fee loans coupled with insanely […]

Doesn’t this just sound sweet as candy: “More than 5,000 employees from HSBC-North America’s HFC and Beneficial branches as well as HSBC Credit Centers will team up with Rebuilding Together and other community organizations nationwide in a wide variety of community service and environmental projects. The HSBC philanthropic initiative, called “Joined Up to Give […]

In a deal that brings back memories of predatory lending at Household International, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley on Tuesday accused defunct subprime lender Option One Mortgage Corp. of using deceptive and discriminatory lending practices while under the ownership of H&R Block. The complaint filed in Suffolk Superior Court alleges that No. 1 U.S. […]

AK in Oregon sent this op-ed piece. We are publishing it here instead of in our complaints blog:
“HSBC- predatory lenders who slam insurance, offer over market rates and fees, and treat employees with disrespect.

When I started working at HFC I was just out of college. I was excited to have a job […]