HSBC Card Services To Close Its Tulsa Office

By Dan Bewley and NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- A Tulsa employer, HSBC Card Services, confirms that it will close in September. The credit card servicing agency, part of an international banking firm, employs close to 500 people.

The Tulsa facility is located at about 129th and 51st Street in east Tulsa.

A spokesman for HSBC says the credit card business was very good in 2009, and the struggling economy did not play a role in the decision.

"We greatly appreciate the dedication and contribution of our employees," said Public Affairs Vice President  Rob Sherman.

"The decision was made after careful deliberation and consideration of a range of factors, as part of our ongoing efforts to balance operating costs and staffing needs across our network. All employees at this facility will have the opportunity to apply for open positions available at other sites and locations of HSBC."

HSBC began operating its Tulsa facility in 2005 when it acquired the credit card company Metris.

The Tulsa Chamber of Commerce said the HSBC employees are well trained, and many are bilingual.

The Chamber sent out a list of a number of Tulsa employers currently hiring in this industry, including: 

• Cox Communications
• U.S. Cellular
• West
• Farmers
• State Farm
• Wells Fargo
• DirecTv
• CapitalOne
• Cherokee Nation Enterprise
• AT&T

"The Chamber's partners with Workforce Tulsa to assist displace workers, and there are number of career fairs occurring in the community in the coming weeks," said Sheila Curley of the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce.