Who are we?

We're Capital One

As one of the UK's top ten credit card companies, we provide Visa and MasterCard credit cards to people every day. We believe that matching the right card to the right person is at the heart of responsible lending. And that it's down to us to help customers get the most from our credit cards through professional service and simple straightforward information.

To find out more about us, click on the questions below.

Capital One
  • We started as an independent company in 1995, rising quickly to the top of the US credit card industry before starting our first overseas venture here in the UK in 1996
  • In 1997 we opened a multi-million pound operations centre in Nottingham. This created around 1,200 jobs in the East Midlands
  • Today we're a top ten credit card issuer in both the UK and US
We've made some innovative changes to credit card services including:

  • Introducing the 'balance transfer' concept in 1992. It enabled people to move their balances to us at a lower rate, changing the US credit card market forever and bringing reduced rates to millions of customers
  • Launching our Credit Made Clearer campaign to help our customers understand credit and credit jargon, make the most of their credit card and find support and information if they're having problems making repayments
  • Using our Information-based Strategy (award-winning information technology) to create new and original concepts. These ideas help us work towards making things better for customers
  • We research all of our ideas thoroughly so they work in the real world. This research also means we can tailor our products to suit customers. So you get a card that not only does its job, but fits around your lifestyle and personal circumstances
  • We're one of the major credit card providers on the internet and our website is straightforward and easy to use. In turn, a growing number of our customers choose to use it for real convenience
At Capital One, our principles are at the heart of everything we do. We work hard to keep a balance between our two core values- 'excellence' and 'doing the right thing'.

To achieve excellence, we:
  • Hire only the best people
  • Are always accountable
  • Make bold decisions

Doing the right thing is all about integrity. We:
  • Are open and straightforward
  • Respect our customers
  • Work as a team
Capital One has 50 million customers all over the world, and we employ 27,000 people globally. We're a top ten credit card provider in both the UK and US
We've won many awards and also received accolades for our work within the community. Below you'll find some recent examples.

  • Winners of the Best Use of Financial Education in the Workplace at the Employee Benefits Awards. Recognising the work that has been done during 2009 and 2010 on our pensions campaign for our employees
  • Winners of the Youth Sport Trust's Inspire Young People To Take Part In PE or Sport Who Are Not Yet Engaged Regional Award. Nominated by one of our community partners, Nottingham's National Ice Centre, for all the work we've done in encouraging local children to try a new sport by learning to ice skate. We have now been put forward for the National Awards
  • Highly Commended Award at the Moneyfacts Best UK Personal Finance Provider Awards 2010 for Best Innovation of the Year for our Progress Card. The card really challenges the traditional UK credit card market and it's great to be recognised for it
  • Highly Commended in the Moneywise Customer Service Awards 2010 for Best Credit Card for Online Services
  • Shortlisted for the international Beyond Sport Awards 2010 for the work we've carried out with the St Ann's and Sneinton Education Improvement Partnership (EIP). Our relationship has brought free, high-quality sporting activities to thousands of local children

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