Credit Card terms

[gobbledegeek]

Why do many credit card applications include a clause that permits them to pass on your details outside of the UK, and why do they specifically mention the US?
For example MBNA clause 13 says:
So we can process, use, record and release personal information, we may pass your information outside the United Kingdom to other countries including the United States of America.
Why do they need to do that? Quite frankly I don't want my personal information passed to the US (or anywhere else for that matter) and I always refuse to sign up with a company that has a clause like this in their terms and conditions.

[Ethel]

Because their call centres and data handlers are outside the UK to keep costs down.

Call centres in India, for example.

[kempie]

Could it be anything to do with MBNA being a subsidiary of Bank of America?

[gobbledegeek]

Yes, could be Kempie, but why specifically mention the US? I'm sure I've seen this before, even from non-US banks.