Why does Working Assets use MBNA?

[MindPilot]

I use Working Assets long distance because they support a lot of progressive causes. They keep trying to get me to sign up for their credit card--like I need more debt--but it's through MBNA.

As I'm sure everyone here knows, MBNA is one of the most notorious predatory lenders there is, so why would they do that?

I emailed WA a while ago with that question, of course I never got a reply.

[LynneSin]

1. According to WA, they used a different credit card company....

...which was bought out by MBNA. However, that merger (Fleet was their original company and MBNA bought them) happened in 1997. So why they are still using them is beyond me however, because of it I refuse to use Working Assets.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3444854

They say they're obligated by contract to stick with MBNA and they can't switch to another credit card company but hey, we fouhgt hard against the bankerupcy bill. Here's a concept - why not stop pushing the credit card on your members, allow the contract to finish and at the termination just stop using a credit card promotion. Those who have WOrking Asset credit cards can either cancel the account or find another program to work with (if WA contract before your Credit Card does, the card would still be valid until the expiration date).

in late 2001 I started getting calls from MBNA on my cell phone asking if I wanted a Sierra Club credit card. I was so pissed because I know exactly how Sierra Club received my cell phone number and they sold that number to MBNA. I complained constantly to Sierra Club and here at DU about that horrible association and now 4 years later you do not find any mention of the Sierra Club MBNA card on their website or even MBNA.

So why Working Assets refuses to do something about their MBNA card is beyond me. I'll give them the fact that they original had the card with Fleet, but they know how to get out of the deal and if they're so upset with the Bankerupcy bill then why even have a credit card.

Personally, just because an organization says they're "Blue" doesn't mean they don't rub shoulders with the "red" I'll donate directly to the progressive causes myself. Working Assets is on my shit list until they get rid of the card

[Ian David]

2. Here's some information on Working Assets from BuyBlue.org

Posted by: rpaske at May 5, 2005 07:29 AM

I wrote to Working Assets once about their card being contracted to MBNA and how that was counteractive to the things that Working Assets works toward. The note I received back seemed like a canned response (they've probably had a few complaints).

It indicated that when their credit card contract was up for bids, MBNA was the only one who would pick them up and meet their terms (well, something to that effect). The letter also indicated that they still think their card does a lot of good (again, I'm paraphrasing). I haven't canceled my card because quite frankly I don't know that *any* of the financial institutions that issue cards are "blue." MBNA is really bad, but how much better are Citibank, Wachovia, or anyone else? Until I learn of a "blue" card, my thinking is that a Working Assets MBNA card is better than another card that has no benefits for progressive organizations.

I'd rather not have any cards at all, but that's not an option right now, and I do need one for Internet purchases.

More:
http://www.buyblue.org/archives/2005/05/credit_card_cla.html#more




---------
Also:

May 22, 2005
Democratic Party Card – Stop MBNA

This was cross-posted at my Daily Kos diary
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/5/22/165248/287

Over on Buyblue we started a conversation about credit cards when I cut up my Working Assets MBNA card and sent the little pieces to MBNA CEO Bruce Hammonds with a very nice note. http://www.buyblue.org/archives/2005/05/credit_card_cla.html#more

A Buyblue blogger noted the existence of the Demcard and pointed out that: We can raise a lot of money for swing state Democratic parties by getting Demcards.

What’s a Demcard?

A Democratic Party credit card is a very clever idea by which you can support the state Democratic Party of your choice with your credit card purchases, instead of through campaign contributions, which are budgetary extra expenditures

The Demcard http://www.demcard.com is offered by Juniper Bank, 7.9% fixed. The bank partners with the following state Democratic parties:

Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

How much does each party get? I talked earlier today with a Juniper Bank staffer who told me it varies state by state, but basically, the bank assigns one point to every $100 you spend and conveys that dollar to the state democratic party in question. Different states have different agreements.

You don’t have to choose the state democratic party where you live. I chose a Demcard to support the Ohio Democratic Party. Under Ohio terms and conditions, it says that I will earn points based on a percentage of my purchases and that all the points in my account will be converted and contributed monthly to the Ohio Democratic Party at the rate of one dollar for every one hundred points earned. Accounts that have been opened in response to the Ohio Democratic Party special promotional program will be entitled to an opening balance of 4,500 points.

California, Maryland, and Texas also seem to have this $45 out front deal with the bank.

Want to take back Ohio? Want to take back the red parts of California? Want to support the swing state democrats?


Go to the bottom of the Juniper Bank page and click State Democratic Party Contributions for specifics about the state of your choice. Questions, call Juniper Bank at 1-866-750-6024. Let’s raise a little money, you all.

Martha E. Ture
Research Director
www.buyblue.org

Posted by Martha at May 22, 2005 03:25 PM

More:
http://www.buyblue.org/archives/2005/05/democratic_part.html

[LynneSin]

6. You're right, there are hardly any "Blue" banks

but according to http://www.opensecrets.org/ JPMorgan Chase was about 50% split on it's donations.

Personally, for a company like Working Assets who make a big stink of how they were against the bankerupcy bill, then why the hell have a credit card.

It's like preaching the horrors of drinking and then taking everyone out for a boozy night on the town.

Pick an issue, stick with the issue.

[Ian David]

3. There's also The Demcard from Juniper Bank

Re Juniper bank:
http://hoovers.com/juniper-financial/--ID__101053--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml

Juniper Financial Corporation
1007 Orange St., Ste. 1541
Wilmington, DE 19801 (Map)
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Toll Free: 877-523-0478

http://www.juniperfinancial.com external site content

Covered by Kathi Whitley
Advertisement

Go to Vegas, Baby. And charge it! The Caesars Entertainment Platinum MasterCard --which earns cardholders rewards towards amenities like hotel rooms, show tickets, and spa services at casino resorts across the US -- is one of the offerings from Juniper Financial. Through Juniper Bank, the company issues Visa and MasterCard credit cards, specializing in private label cards for such partners as Caesars, Orbitz, and Best Western. Juniper also offers consumers mortgages and car loans, as well as a variety of insurance through arrangements with E-Loan and Answer Financial. UK based Barclays PLC entered the US credit card market when it acquired Juniper Financial in December 2004.

CEO Richard W. Vague
President James W. (Jim) Stewart
CIO and Head of Operations Jeff Chittenden




Search Criteria:
Donor occupation: Juniper Bank
Cycle(s) selected: 2006, 2004, 2002
Total for this search: $25,550 (100% Democrat)
http://www.opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?NumOfThou=0&txtName=&txtState=%28all+states%29&txtZip=&txtEmploy=Juniper+Bank&txtCand=&txt2006=Y&txt2004=Y&txt2002=Y&Order=N

Search Criteria:
Donor name: Stewart, James W
Donor State: DE
Cycle(s) selected: 2006, 2004, 2002
Total for this search: $14,200 (Mostly Democrat)
http://www.opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?NumOfThou=0&txtName=Stewart%2C+James+W&txtState=DE&txtZip=&txtEmploy=&txtCand=&txt2006=Y&txt2004=Y&txt2002=Y&Order=N



May 22, 2005
Democratic Party Card – Stop MBNA

This was cross-posted at my Daily Kos diary
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/5/22/165248/287

Over on Buyblue we started a conversation about credit cards when I cut up my Working Assets MBNA card and sent the little pieces to MBNA CEO Bruce Hammonds with a very nice note. http://www.buyblue.org/archives/2005/05/credit_card_cla.html#more

A Buyblue blogger noted the existence of the Demcard and pointed out that: We can raise a lot of money for swing state Democratic parties by getting Demcards.

What’s a Demcard?

A Democratic Party credit card is a very clever idea by which you can support the state Democratic Party of your choice with your credit card purchases, instead of through campaign contributions, which are budgetary extra expenditures

The Demcard http://www.demcard.com is offered by Juniper Bank, 7.9% fixed. The bank partners with the following state Democratic parties:

Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

How much does each party get? I talked earlier today with a Juniper Bank staffer who told me it varies state by state, but basically, the bank assigns one point to every $100 you spend and conveys that dollar to the state democratic party in question. Different states have different agreements.

You don’t have to choose the state democratic party where you live. I chose a Demcard to support the Ohio Democratic Party. Under Ohio terms and conditions, it says that I will earn points based on a percentage of my purchases and that all the points in my account will be converted and contributed monthly to the Ohio Democratic Party at the rate of one dollar for every one hundred points earned. Accounts that have been opened in response to the Ohio Democratic Party special promotional program will be entitled to an opening balance of 4,500 points.

California, Maryland, and Texas also seem to have this $45 out front deal with the bank.

Want to take back Ohio? Want to take back the red parts of California? Want to support the swing state democrats?


Go to the bottom of the Juniper Bank page and click State Democratic Party Contributions for specifics about the state of your choice. Questions, call Juniper Bank at 1-866-750-6024. Let’s raise a little money, you all.

Martha E. Ture
Research Director
www.buyblue.org

Posted by Martha at 03:25 PM | Comments (25)
http://www.buyblue.org/archives/2005/05/

[Stephanie]

7. Thanks! I just applied for that card and was approved instantly!

I did it for the NY state party. So sick of being tricked by these other banks. They raise the rate and pretend it was a mistake when you catch them (MBNA). They change your payment due date so they can say you paid late and charge a fee. They change the minimum payment at the last minute. Predatory is right. Of course too bad for us, Congress won't help us with this problem.

[PATRICK]

4. The Union Plus card

for AFL-CIO members is a master card serviced by HSBC out of Nevada.

I think the main thing is to see what the deal is between the bank and the non-profit. I am more distrustful when the benevolent banks set up their OWN charitable front to attract the ever more popular issue concern crowd.

The other is as you said when the ground shifts and the bank is bought out by someone else, like having a sound mortgage company suddenly going south to Texas or Florida(which is always suspicious and upsetting considering their state lender laws and litigation slant toward the lender.)

Are there friendly banks anyway, I mean, beyond the promotional goodwill image? You credit union of course, but mine issues a VISA serviced by one of the big guys. They don't have the funds or the risk structure for these kinds of revolving loans. In fact, the other credit union loans are a lot more protective and conservative in their structure.

Best not to have the cards or not to use them except for liberal causes and then quickly pay off the bill. LOL.

This is probably one of those iffy things the advocacy groups do that promises change from within, like becoming major shareholders of Wall Street Corporations. Are we civilizing the sharks or bringing them more food? Certainly the latter.

[Stephanie]

5. Which are the NON-predatory lenders?

My Fleet card just got bought by B of A and they immediately started jerking me around.