HSBC offers hybrid for cardholders who go green

Going paperless could win HSBC cardholders a new set of wheels, courtesy of an ongoing contest. 

HSBC credit card users who register their accounts for online access and/or elect to receive paperless statements will be entered into a sweepstakes to win a 2008 Saturn AURA Hybrid. "The HSBC Simply Green Sweepstakes is a way of saying thank you to our customers for going green, and further leverages HSBC's commitment to offer environmental-friendly products and services to its customers," according to an HSBC press release. The sweepstakes runs from Sept. 1 through Nov. 17, 2008.  

Enrolling in online account access earns customers one sweepstakes entry, with electing to receive paperless statements is worth an additional two entries in the contest. Those HSBC credit cardholders who already have online account access will automatically receive one entry and two added automatic entries for enrollment in paperless statement delivery.

The random drawing at the end of November will determine the grand prize winner. He or she will receive the car, which carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $24,550 and gets an EPA-estimated 32 miles per gallon on the highway, according to the Saturn Web site.  

Runners up will also get a little more green: Two second prize winners will receive $10,000 worth of energy-efficient appliances from Best Buy, while five third prize winners will receive $1,000 cash. 

To sign up, cardholders should visit the HSBC Web site associated with their credit card. After registering for online account access, HSBC customers will be given the option to select paperless billing statements.

See related: Spin the Green-O-Meter, Survey: U.S. not very eco-friendly with credit cards, Banks that go green, 10 ways to go green with credit cards