As of December 1, 2005, Metris Companies Inc. was acquired by HSBC Finance Corp. Metris Companies, Inc. operates as an information-based direct marketer of consumer lending products in the United States. The company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Direct Merchants Credit Card Bank, National Association (Direct Merchants Bank), issues credit cards. Its consumer lending products are primarily unsecured credit cards, including the Direct Merchants Bank MasterCard and Visa credit cards. Metris Companies also offers co-branded credit cards through partnerships with other companies. It provides other consumer financial products, such as credit protection products through Direct Merchants Credit Card Bank and insurance products through a third party provider. The company primarily targets middle market consumers. Metris Companies was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Minnetonka.