HSBC Finance Launches Its First "Green" Credit Card

Business Wire,  May 28, 2008  

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New Card Supports Company's Commitment to the Environment

METTAWA, Ill. -- HSBC Finance Corporation's card and retail services business has introduced a credit card that gives consumers the opportunity to use earned rewards to make a contribution to a variety of environmental causes. The HSBC ecosmart(sm) MasterCard with Plus Rewards leverages HSBC's commitment to provide environmental-friendly products to a broad consumer base.

Card members will receive one reward point for every dollar spent on the new card and may redeem the points in the form of charitable donations to organizations dedicated to environment preservation. Customers will have a variety of charitable organizations to choose from, including those partners in the HSBC Climate Partnership: The Climate Group, Earthwatch Institute and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Additional organizations to which card members may donate include Arbor Day Foundation, Wind Power Renewable Choice, and Our Energy.

In addition, card members will have the option to redeem reward points for environmental-friendly merchandise such as a rechargeable mulching mower or a garden composter. They may also redeem rewards to purchase gift cards at various retailers.

"We are pleased to offer a credit card that gives our customers the ability to contribute to those important environmental causes they support," said Patrick Burke, senior executive vice president and chief operating officer, card and retail services, for HSBC. "At HSBC, protecting the environment has been a long-standing concern for all of us as well. We will continue to look for additional opportunities to meet the environmental concerns of our customers."

Consumers may apply for the ecosmart(sm) card online at www.hsbccreditcard.com/ecosmart. They will also have the option to request paperless billing statements.

HSBC invests over $100 million in environmental causes globally and was the first financial institution to become 100% carbon neutral in October 2005. Today, nine out of ten HSBC employees globally work in offices where the energy and water used and the waste and carbon dioxide produced are evaluated and reported publicly. To learn more about HSBC's commitment to the environment, visit www.hsbccommittochange.com.

About HSBC Finance Corporation

HSBC Finance Corporation is a subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc., one of the top 10 financial organizations in the United States with assets totalling more than $500 billion. HSBC Finance Corporation's subsidiaries provide real estate secured loans, auto loans, general purpose credit cards, private label credit cards, personal non-credit card loans, taxpayer financial services and specialty insurance products.

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