cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Orchard/HSBC Secured Card - Just an FYI for those interested

tag
Datx
Valued Contributor

Orchard/HSBC Secured Card - Just an FYI for those interested

For those looking to rebuild credit, and interested in a Orchard Bank or HSBC secured card, get ready to wait a good month of so before you get any reply back. The online application process tells you to fill out the application, print it, and mail it with your minimum of $200 deposit. Seems pretty easy enough. I sent my a app and deposit off on May 16th.

 

Today, I get a letter from HSBC. In the letter, they say they cannot process my application because they need a photo ID, and a couple of more forms I need to fill out. Great. Fine. I will fill out and sign the forms and return them. But it would of been nice to know that when I mailed my application and deposit. Anyways, just a warning to anyone interested in the card, be prepared for a good ole month before getting a reply, and probably another couple of more weeks after that to get the card.  I recently got my Cap One secured and IIRC, it took about two or two and a half weeks to get the card. Cap One also sent me a letter saying they recieved my application and will be sending my card soon during the process.

 

I guess I shouldnt complain, I am needing their services to rebuild my credit. I wish I wouldve known though, I wouldve probably went for a secured card through Citi, but I think they take quite some time as well. Maybe the next stop will be a secured card through BoA. Also, during the wait time, I checked the online app status on HSBC's website with nothing there to see. Even called CSR and they told me it will 30-45 days. I sent a postal money order so I didnt know if they cashed it yet. I'll update once or even if I get the card. Sending off the additional required paperwork off tonight.

 

 

 

Message 1 of 11
10 REPLIES 10
Wolf3
Senior Contributor

Re: Orchard/HSBC Secured Card - Just an FYI for those interested

It took me 2 rounds of paperwork, a trip to local branch, follow up phone calls.   I got my card in about  5 months.  

 

The form has a incorrect PO box on it and the deposit check could not be located, so I had to make the deposit at the branch.   A few months after I got  my card, I got the original check back and a letter asking me to reapply,

 

I did not let it bother me and I like the card.

 

Hope you have better luck.

 

 

Message 2 of 11
Datx
Valued Contributor

Re: Orchard/HSBC Secured Card - Just an FYI for those interested

Ouch. Thanks for the info Wolf. We'll see how it goes...I hope they don't fudge up my paperwork.

Message 3 of 11
Datx
Valued Contributor

Re: Orchard/HSBC Secured Card - Just an FYI for those interested

Another update...

 

6/29: Got a call from a rep at HSBC. She left me a voicemail to call her back since I couldnt answer the call.

 

6/30: Called the rep back. She just needed to verify my work number since I listed my cell number as my work number on the app. She thought it might be because I work from home. I told her that was correct, I do work from home and that will be the best number to reach me. She told me that was basically all she needed to know, thanked me for calling her back, and stated she will go ahead continue to open my account.

 

I'll update once I get the card in the mail. Been kind of watching the mail for the card for the last couple of weeks. Was a bit concerned when I got the call yesterday, but it was just to verify some info.

Message 4 of 11
KeepSwimming
Regular Contributor

Re: Orchard/HSBC Secured Card - Just an FYI for those interested

Thanks for the info! I sent in an application with a $1,000 check last week. I'd read from someone else on here that it took them about 6 weeks, so I'll just put it on the back burner of my mind for now. Smiley Happy


Starting Score: TU: 550 EQ: 556 (pulled 6/2010)
Current Score: (pulled 4/18/11) TU: 668(pulled 4/18/2011) EQ: 741
Goal Score: Above 700 on both


Take the FICO Fitness Challenge
Message 5 of 11
Datx
Valued Contributor

Re: Orchard/HSBC Secured Card - Just an FYI for those interested

Yeah, it wouldve been probably best for me to app for it and forget about it too. I was looking forward to actually checking the mail the last few weeks to see if the card has arrived and always come up disappointed. The Cap one secured card is my first credit card in about 6 or 7 years now. Im started to get excited to have credit cards again. But this time I learned my mistakes from the past, and have gained alot of knowledge from lurking on this forum. I'll behave and be more responsible with these new cards.

Message 6 of 11
blazerein
Established Contributor

Re: Orchard/HSBC Secured Card - Just an FYI for those interested

Congrats with your new cards !

AAoA 6yrs 3mos | Inquries: TU5/EQ5/EX8 | Utilization: 9% | Mortgage: 1 | Auto Loan: 2 | Personal Loan: 2 | Derogatory: 0

> >CREDIT UNION


EX- 585, TU- 583, EQ- 563 | CURRENT SCORE UPDATED: 2/2023 -> FICO 8 EX 754 TU 741 EQ 755 | FICO 9 EX 747 EQ 763 TU 756
Message 7 of 11
KeepSwimming
Regular Contributor

Re: Orchard/HSBC Secured Card - Just an FYI for those interested

Hey MyCredit,

 

It's funny how I took for granted the cards I used to have. I was looking through my credit report and sighed wistfully at the days of $4k CLs. Smiley Happy

 

I got a $500 unsecured from CapOne last month and felt like I was officially getting back on my feet. I sent off for the $1k secured Orchard and plan on just sitting tight for awhile while I continue to DV/PFD/GW the heck out of the stuff on my credit report!


Starting Score: TU: 550 EQ: 556 (pulled 6/2010)
Current Score: (pulled 4/18/11) TU: 668(pulled 4/18/2011) EQ: 741
Goal Score: Above 700 on both


Take the FICO Fitness Challenge
Message 8 of 11
Datx
Valued Contributor

Re: Orchard/HSBC Secured Card - Just an FYI for those interested

KS,

 

My highest limit was on a single CC was about $2,500. I started with my first CC when I was 18, and got into alot of trouble with them by the time I was 22 or so. I also just totally gave up on the credit game and figured if I waited years, then my accounts would just fall off my credit report. But of course it caught up to me when I was looking to buy a vehicle and will come up again when I look to buy a home in a few more years. So here I am, I lurk on this forum almost daily and hope to get my credit clean and my score up. Looks like we are in the same situation, but you seem to be ahead of me since you're able to be approved for an unsecured card.

 

Anyways, here is another update from HSBC. Got a letter in the mail today from the rep I spoke to last week. The letter states my account is opened, it listed my savings account routing and also the account number. Also stated I will receive my new Orchard secured CC in the mail anywhere from 10-14 days from the date of my account opening which is going to be June 30th. So it seems I should have the new card possibly by the end of the week or early next week. Once I get it, I will keep it away from my wallet and remember to use it once a month for gas and then PIF. It will get the same kind of action my CapOne secured is getting now. Smiley Very Happy

Message 9 of 11
KeepSwimming
Regular Contributor

Re: Orchard/HSBC Secured Card - Just an FYI for those interested

Hey MCS!

 

You weren't kidding about the waiting game. I mailed my stuff off two weeks ago - no communication, no cashed check, nada. Sigh. Patience is a virtue with these people.

 

I hear you on the credit thing. I botched my credit about a year, year and a half ago. I got scared off, and didn't touch anything. (Read: lived without a credit card for that amount of time which was SCARY) I figured I would be better off just keeping my head down, and my score didn't do a damn thing. I applied for that CapOne offer, and saw a nice little score bump. Too funny that the thing I was avoiding was the thing that would have helped me a bit. Smiley Happy


Starting Score: TU: 550 EQ: 556 (pulled 6/2010)
Current Score: (pulled 4/18/11) TU: 668(pulled 4/18/2011) EQ: 741
Goal Score: Above 700 on both


Take the FICO Fitness Challenge
Message 10 of 11
Advertiser Disclosure: The offers that appear on this site are from third party advertisers from whom FICO receives compensation.