In Brief: Providian to Use U.K. to Expand Globally

Providian Financial Corp. on Wednesday became the latest U.S. credit card issuer to bring its products to the United Kingdom.

Providian said Britain is its launching pad for international expansion. The company expects to employ 300 people in London by yearend. Providian, with $16 billion of assets under management and nine million customers, will compete in the United Kingdom against such U.S. issuers as MBNA Corp., Capital One Financial Corp., and First USA.