How to apply for a credit card?

If you are thinking of applying for a credit card, let us remember that this is a tool that works to be able to buy different products or services and pay for them later; and that by acquiring it, you obtain a new financial responsibility that must be covered on time to prevent it from becoming a growing debt.

To apply for a credit card, you have to go to any financial institution and meet the requirements. Among the main ones are being over 18 years old and being able to verify a minimum income.

Also, it is essential to have a good credit history that shows that you pay on time and the know-how to manage your financing correctly.

If you comply with them, the next thing is to consider all the elements that make up a credit card to choose the one that best suits you.

What is the available balance?

This is the total amount that you have available on your credit card, and it is essential to emphasize that you avoid overdrawing it, that is, that you do not spend more than what the bank has decided to lend you since you could fall into debt.

To establish how much it is feasible to lend to you, banks estimate your payment capacity based on the income and expenses you have.

Interest when applying for a credit card

Interest is the extra amount you must pay for using the line of credit. Also, when you fail to meet the monthly payment before the cut-off date, more interest is added, making your debt grow.

What is the cut-off date?

The cut-off date is when you must settle the amount used or pay the minimum payment for the credit used. However, contributing only the minimum payment can make your debt fit for more terms but raise its cost.

How to apply for a credit card?

Once you know the general aspects of credit cards and the minimum requirements, the next thing is to familiarize yourself with the process.

Personal documents

You must first present your documents, such as personal identification, proof of income and proof of address, and sign a document in which you permit the financial institution to consult your credit history.

Physical Request Format

The physical request format is generated to legally process the acquisition of the card with the bank if you have decided to contract it directly at a branch. In this, you only have to complete the fields with your data and thus be able to obtain your card.

Online card application

Today, most banks also offer the opportunity to request a card through the internet, either on their website or directly in the app. It would only be necessary for you to complete additional fields and receive the card at your address or, if necessary, pick it up at the branch.

Before applying for a credit card, it is recommended that you ask about the costs and benefits that they can offer you to decide on the most appropriate one for your needs and, above all, your abilities.

When is it advisable to apply for a loan for your business?

The Mexican business ecosystem continues to adapt to changes. With the arrival of the vaccine against Covid-19, the expectations of economic strengthening of the businesses affected during the pandemic were reactivated; However, with the approval of the outsourcing reform package, which implies the internalization of payroll and a more significant financial and administrative effort to cover it, 2021 poses a new challenge for employers to overcome.

Given these changes, the question arises: Is it time to apply for a loan to strengthen a business? We share what you should consider before making a decision.

External factors

Economic projections point to a recovery based on the production of the vaccine against Covid-19, more significant demand for Mexican exports in the United States, and the local economic rebound seen in the fourth quarter of 2020.

For example, the rating agency Moody predicted an increase in local GDP in 2021 of 3.5 to 5.5%. While the International Monetary Fund forecasts that the Mexican economy will grow its Gross Domestic Product by 4.3%, driven by foreign demand and exports from the United States. In other words, if your business is somehow linked to the external sector, this would be an excellent time to strengthen it and increase its productivity.

Clarity where you will take your business

Renewing the equipment or machinery to increase the production or services of your business is a good investment. Still, first, we recommend that you list the priorities and all the steps that you must follow to scale production and the money you will need to invest in each of them. These them. Delimit your financial goals and define how you will do it to achieve them.

Order in all legal requirements

To request a loan, your business must be formalized. Formal financial institutions will not want to lend you money if you are not already established. The best thing is that you do all the relevant paperwork and formalize your business before applying for a loan.

History of economic stability

Do not forget that you cannot request a loan if the economic situation of your business is not going to let you pay. It is not harmful to ask for a loan to pay some debts, as long as you make sure that the future profits of your business will give you what is necessary to be able to pay a loan later. If the credit exceeds your income, it is not a good time to apply for a loan for SMEs.

For those who have the need and the possibility of continuing to grow, a strengthening opportunity could open up with a loan, as long as short- and medium-term risks and scenarios and growth expectations are kept in mind.

Once you have reviewed these details, you will be ready to make the best decision. Look for your best option and make sure you meet the requirements of that institution. Do not forget that each financial institution asks you for different needs.

HSBC has a wide range of products for different customer profiles since in its portfolio there are plastics for those who are just starting out and do not have a high income, for those who do not want to pay so much interest or those who like to travel.

Low-interest credit card

The product that HSBC presents is the AIR credit card, which has a variable annual interest rate of 34.00%. Six months without automatic interest on purchases over $ 2,000 pesos. It allows you to pay the annuity in six monthly installments.

And there are also hundreds of discounts in various commercial establishments.

To be able to hire him, the minimum income requested by HSBC is $ 5,000 pesos. The annuity is $ 730 pesos.

Security: protection against theft, loss, or cloning; the forgiveness of balance in the event of the owner’s death.

Average CAT: 46.2%

Interest rate: 34%

Zero annuity card and zero commissions

HSBC Zero plastic does not charge an annuity or commissions, although it should be noted that there are certain conditions. For example, it is necessary to make a transaction of at least $ 1.0 each month, and in case of not making a said purchase, a commission will be charged to the card.

Another of its advantages is that it does not charge for the replacement of the plastic in case of loss, nor does it charge additional cards.

In order to obtain this card, it is necessary that the interested party has a minimum income of $ 5,000 pesos.

Security: price protection, against theft, loss, and cloning, balance forgiveness in case of the death of the holder.

Average CAT: 90.5%

Weighted average interest rate by balance: 41.80%

The credit card that returns 2% of purchases

HSBC 2Now is an option for those who wish to receive 2% of the purchases made in their plastic. This balance applies only to the first $ 50,000 pesos of purchases made per month and will be reflected in a maximum of two business days after the transaction.

It also has promotions and discounts in hundreds of establishments and the cardholder may exempt the payment of the Maintenance and Administration commission if he accumulates purchases greater than $ 2,500 pesos per month.

To obtain this card it is necessary to have a minimum income of $ 15,000 pesos.

Security: extended warranty and purchase protection. Protection against theft, loss, or cloning and forgiveness of balance in case of the death of the holder.

Average CAT: 82.7%

Average interest rate weighted by balance: 35.56%

HSBC cards with unique and exclusive benefits

HSBC Premier World Elite offers unique benefits on each purchase because for every dollar spent, two HSBC Premier Rewards points are accumulated, plus an additional point for purchases in travel money orders, restaurants, and fast food.

You can count on up to 12 months without interest abroad and all year. Likewise, the client has VIP access to 850 airport lounges, free Wi-Fi around the world, free parking for a limited time, and more benefits.

The minimum income requested by HSBC is $ 60,000 pesos. The annuity is around $ 5,700 pesos.

Security: Mastercard travel insurance, purchase coverage, protection against theft, or robbery at Mastercard ATMs. Protection against theft, loss, or cloning, balance forgiveness in case of cardholder death, card replacement in case of emergency.

Average CAT: 38.5%

Weighted average interest rate by balance: 19.11%

In this same segment, HSBC offers the HSBC Advance Platinum Credit Card, its benefits are 1.3 more Program points for every dollar spent, 12 months without interest on purchases made abroad, promotions in hundreds of stores. The income you are requesting is $ 35,000 pesos and the annuity is $ 2,408 pesos.

Among its benefits are free private transportation services to the Mexico City International Airport, exclusive guarantees in hotels with Visa Luxury Hotel Collection, unique benefits in trips with Visa Travel Experience.

Security: car rental insurance, international medical emergency service, travel accident insurance. Purchase protection, price protection, and extended warranty. Protection against theft or cloning, the forgiveness of balance in case of death of the holder.

Average CAT: 49.7%

Weighted average interest rate by balance: 27.11%

More HSBC credit cards

It is worth mentioning that the aforementioned assistance may vary, as well as the benefits. The CAT and interest rates were resumed in October 2020, so that each period the percentages could vary.

Therefore, it is advisable to compare the guarantees of HSBC and other cards. A support tool is the credit card simulator of the National Commission for the Defense and Protection of Users of Financial Services (Condusef), which offers detailed information on the cards of various banking institutions in one place.

Similarly, there are comparators that allow you to contact the chosen financial institution directly.

Requirements to contract a credit card at HSBC

Some requirements may vary for each type of card, although they generally require the applicant to be of legal age (between 18 and 74 years of age), not to have a negative background in the credit bureau, and, in some cases, it is required that the length of service is one year.

In the documentation, they may require an official identification, proof of address (electricity or property bill no more than two months old), and proof of income.

Depending on the card, they will also request that the client have a credit card from another institution or an account statement from the same bank.